Welcome back to our blog series with CEO Ann Priftis, where we continue to unpack the art world—its history, its markets, and the nuances that shape collecting today. 

Last week, we explored whether art can be both a passion and a smart investment. This week, we’re stepping back to look at the broader picture: What exactly are the main categories of Fine Art—and why do they matter to collectors? 

Whether you’re just starting your journey or refining a growing collection, understanding how the art world classifies works can help you navigate styles, eras, and pricing with more confidence. From the revered Old Masters to today’s leading Contemporary voices, each category holds its own place in the story of art. 

Let’s break them down.

The five main categories of Fine Art.

Do you know the difference between Modern Art and Contemporary Art? 

 Have you heard the term Old Masters but are unsure of what that refers to?  The Off Piste family of galleries specialize in original Contemporary Art and works with clients collecting across all categories. 

Here are the five main categories of Fine Art: 

Old Masters: This category refers to artists born between 1250-1750.  Some familiar Old Master names include Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt and Albrecht Durer. 

Nineteenth-Century Art: Gustav Klimt, Rene Magritte, Marc Chagall and Mary Cassatt all belong to this category of fine art which spans 1800 - 1900 … but, (here’s where it starts to get tricky) … excludes Modern Art. 

Modern Art: Modern Art overlaps with Nineteenth-Century Art but only includes artists born between 1850 - 1910 who were working in progressive, non-traditional styles.  Vincent Van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, and Louise Bourgeois are all highly sought after artists from the Modern period. 

Postwar Art: Artists born between 1910 - 1944 fall into the Postwar category.  Some of the most prolific artists of this era are Jackson Pollock, David Hockney and Roy Lichteinstein. 

Contemporary Art: This is our area of speciality at Whistler Contemporary Galleries, Sun Valley Contemporary Gallery and Mountain Galleries! All artists born after 1945 are considered Contemporary Artists.  

You may recognize the names Jeff Koons (available to collect through Off Piste), Damien Hirst and Yayoi Kusama. Some of these categories are defined loosely: especially Modern/Postwar and Contemporary … so don’t worry if you use the ‘wrong’ term … these categories are fluid. Reach out to your trusted Art Consultant at any of our 6 galleries to learn more about the art world or to inquire about our dynamic roster of Contemporary Artists.

Ann Priftis

CEO

Understanding the five main categories of fine art is a powerful step toward deepening your knowledge and shaping your collecting journey with clarity and purpose. Each era brings its own history, style, and significance—and knowing how they connect (and overlap) can make your experience all the more enriching. Whether you're drawn to the classical mastery of Old Masters or the bold experimentation of Contemporary artists, there's room in the art world for every kind of collector. 

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll continue to explore the art world from new angles—helping you collect with confidence, curiosity, and joy. 

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts or questions. 

Let’s keep the conversation going.