It can be hard to believe that Impressionism was deemed controversial at its inception in the late 19th century. Afterall, it’s one of today’s most widely beloved styles. An understanding of the art movements of the past helps us to see today’s art in a new light—often artists create work in reaction, or in deference, to their creative forerunners.

For this edition of the catalog, our curators trace some of the most revolutionary art movements and highlight emerging artists who are reshaping what they mean today—from Abstract Expressionism to Photorealism, and everything in between.