Topic Guide C4 - Brave new world: Modernism in Europe (1900–39)

Oct 20, 2026

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A-level History of Art Topic Guide C4 “Brave new world: Modernism in Europe (1900–39)” outlines teaching and learning for Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History of Art (9HT0). It defines the required study scope of artworks and architecture across multiple categories and specifies how movements such as Fauvism, Cubism, German Expressionism, Futurism, Dada and Surrealism should be addressed. Guidance covers key topics, cultural and technological influences, material and technique developments, selection of works, critical texts, organisation, assessment, and resources including museum-based learning.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Scope of works

Key topics

Specified artists

Selecting your key works

Critical texts

Organising your teaching

Assessment

Resources

First-hand learning and museum education

Sample key works

Blank grid for you to complete

A longer list of possible works

Topic Guide C4: Brave new world: Modernism in Europe (1900–39) A level History of Art Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in History of Art (9HT0) GCE History of Art 2022 – Topic Guide C4: Brave new world: Modernism in Europe (1900–39) (This guide has been updated for September 2022. The specification remains the definitive source of information for this qualification.) Contents Introduction 2 Scope of works 2 Key topics 2 Specified artists 5 Selecting your key works 5 Critical texts 6 Organising your teaching 6 Assessment 8 Resources 12 First-hand learning and museum education 13 Sample key works 15 Blank grid for you to complete 16 A longer list of possible works 17 Introduction | In the early years of the 20th century, Paris was the hub of the art world, and artists gathered to respond to the new challenges of an urban environment, of industrialisation and mechanisation and, of course, to the changing ways of seeing prompted by developments in photography. This Period offers teachers and students the opportunity to explore this extraordinary flowering of creative endeavour across painting, sculpture and architecture in France and by comparison with works produced elsewhere in Europe. This European focus offers clear natural boundaries for the study, as is appropriate for an in-depth investigation, but also allows teachers to select a variety of second countries to study alongside the work by French artists.
Students will encounter the key movements or styles of the era, including Fauvism, Cubism, German Expressionism, Futurism, Dada and Surrealism as well as the new ideas of Modernism in architecture.
Scope of works | | --- | | The specification makes clear the requirements for the detailed study of at least
18 works of art and architecture across nine categories of work in France and one other European country.
In this Period, works of art are designated by the birthplace and nationality of the artist rather than by the place of production. This avoids confusion for artists like Picasso, Kandinsky, Mondrian and Giacometti, all of whom travelled regularly in the course of their careers. Thus these artists are always examples of ‘artist(s) from a different European country’, even if they are working in France. Epstein is categorised as a British artist and Le Corbusier as French.
Key topics | These Key topics are clearly explained in the specification and elaborate on what should be taught around each work and are set out in a tabular format. All examination questions will refer to the Scope of works and Key topics explained on pages 26-28 in the specification and are added here for reference. | Subjects, forms and styles
Works to be studied* | | | --- | --- | | Scope of works | (a) Painting of modern, urban life by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (b) Painting or sculpture influenced by ‘primitive’ ideas and artefacts by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (c) The female figure (painting or sculpture) by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (d) Portraits (painting or sculpture) by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (e) Landscape painting by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (f) Still life painting in France by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (g) Human figure sculpture by a French artist and by an artist of a different European nationality. | | | (h) Commercial or public architecture by a French architect and by an architect of a different European nationality. | | | (i) Domestic architecture by a French architect and by an architect of a different European nationality. | | | *Categories (a)–(g) must include at least one work in each of the following styles: Fauvism, Cubism, German Expressionism, Futur

FAQs

What period and focus does the Topic Guide C4 cover?

It focuses on Modernism in Europe from 1900 to 1939, with an emphasis on works in France and comparison with selected works from elsewhere in Europe.

How many works and what categories are required in the scope of study?

The guide states that teachers and students must study at least 18 works of art and architecture across nine categories of work in France and one other European country.

Which art movements and styles are specifically included in the study requirements?

The guide highlights Fauvism, Cubism, German Expressionism, Futurism, Dada and Surrealism, and it also requires Modernism within the architectural categories.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by OmBimo