The Triumph of Serious Art

In what I call “the period of serious art” (circa 1880–1980), respect for serious art—and not popular art—is high. Presently it is going down. I discuss the emergence of a separation between serious art and popular art as well as other entertainment in the second half of the nineteenth century. In this period, art-worlds become established. They run prestigious halls, theatres and museums, and determine what is art, what is not really art, and who is a real artist and who is not. Non-profits are established. Art-worlds guard quality and progress in the arts and construct a tangible and intangible art heritage. For their functioning, the new art-worlds rely on public and private support.