Introduces the full range and depth of the early 20th-century European avant-gardes This engaging introduction outlines the cultural and political contexts in which the avant-gardes operated, taking readers on a journey throughout the whole of Europe. It discusses the most salient features of the avant-gardes’ work in all the arts, succinctly surveys the major avant-garde movements (cubism, futurism, expressionism, Dadaism, constructivism and many other –isms) and demonstrates the ways in which they transformed the face of all modern art forms. Clearly written, this book shows readers and students of modernism how and why the avant-gardes were a major force in modern art and culture. Key Features An up-to-date and thorough guide to the ‘classic’ European avant-gardes, from 1905 to 1935Covers all the arts practiced by the classic European avant-gardes – from painting and film, literature and sculpture, architecture and photography to theatre, dance and music – focusing on the specificity of each art form as well as on what united them Includes text-boxes, 100 illustrations, many in colour, and a user-friendly index/glossary