Final answer:
Modern artists challenged tradition and conventions in response to significant social and cultural changes in the early 20th century. They embraced modernism and other movements to reflect the new realities and rapid evolution of the modern world in their art.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a rapidly changing society, modern artists questioned tradition and conventions. During the early 20th century, the world experienced significant social and cultural changes that saw modern artists rejecting established authority and the complacency of the bourgeoisie. Their artistic expressions often reflected critiques of political art, challenging traditions and societal norms.
Artists responded to the turmoil of the world around them by experimenting with new materials, forms, and styles. Their work transitioned from classical representations to more abstract, expressionist, and sometimes political forms, breaking away from the constraints of the past. This included challenging the notion that art should be instructive and morally uplifting as promoted by institutions like the Royal Academy.
Through movements such as Modernism, Dadaism, and Cubism, artists reflected the chaos of depressions, wars, and revolutions, restructuring art to express the new realities of modern life. Social and cultural changes, including industrialization, political revolutions, and the introduction of new technologies, all contributed to this radical transformation in the arts. As a result, their work embodied the spirit of modernity, giving rise to new directions in art that captured the essence of the rapidly evolving world.