Modernisti

Modernisti is a term used in several languages to designate adherents of modernism, a broad cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the late 19th century and continued into the mid-20th century. It is not the name of a single organized movement, but a label applied to various groups of writers, visual artists, architects, and musicians who sought to break with prevailing academic norms and to reflect the realities of modern life.

The exact meaning of Modernisti varies by country and discipline. In literature and the arts, modernists emphasized experimentation with form, perception, and subject matter; in architecture and design they favored functionalism, simplification, and new materials and techniques; in music they explored new rhythms and harmony. The term is particularly common in Romanian and other Romance-language contexts, where it marks a generation associated with national modernist currents, though its usage and connotations differ locally.

Because Modernisti is not a fixed school, it does not point to a single manifesto or roster of figures. In some settings it names participants in specific magazines, salons, or circles; in others it serves as a broad descriptor for a culture of modernity within a nation. In all cases, the label connotes a turn toward innovation, a challenge to traditional forms, and engagement with modern urban life and technology.

See also: Modernism, Modernist movement.