Abstract art, emerging in the early 20th century, broke away from depicting recognizable objects. Instead, artists like Kandinsky used shapes, colors, and lines to evoke emotions and explore formal relationships. This marked a radical shift from traditional art's focus on representation. Abstract art faced initial confusion but gained acceptance, spawning diverse movements like Abstract Expressionism, known for its large-scale, gestural works. Today, it remains a significant artistic language, offering freedom of expression and challenging viewers to engage with art on a deeper, emotional, and more personal level.