由19世纪的后印象派开始，凡高、赛尚、高更三个人的创作理念和风格是现代艺术的开端。他们之所以在美术史上重要因为他们是开拓者。所以在谈论到现代艺术时我们无法跨过这三个大师。当然，现在的后现代艺术与现代艺术又是不同的，后现代艺术同样是对之前的现代艺术的思考和反叛，也只有在不断的创新与反叛中，艺术的历史才能被延续。
Starting from the post-impressionism of the 19th century, the creative ideas and personal styles of Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin are the beginning of the modern art. The reason why they are important in art history is because they are pioneers. So when we talk about modern art we cannot ignore these three masters. Of course, nowadays the post-modern art is different from modern art.The post-modern art is a reflection on and a rebellion against the previous modern art. Only in the constant innovation and rebellion can the history of art be continued.