Modernist painting emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as artists sought to break away from traditional styles and techniques. This movement emphasized experimentation, abstraction, and the exploration of new materials. Artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse challenged conventional perspectives, focusing on color, form, and emotional expression rather than realistic representation. Key characteristics of modernist painting include the use of bold colors, geometric shapes, and a focus on the artist's subjective experience. Movements such as Cubism, Fauvism, and Abstract Expressionism played significant roles in shaping modernist art, encouraging viewers to engage with the artwork on a deeper, more personal level.