Duchamp

         Marcell Duchamp lived from 1887 to 1968 and was a French painter and sculptor who was involved in many art movements. Duchamp was actively involved in Cubism, conceptual art, readymades and most importantly Dada. Being a naturalized American painter he is most famously known for his ground breaking sculptures. 
        Early work by Duchamp was mostly post-Impressionist styles however got involved with cubism around 1912. He had a great sense of humor and his work was filled with sexual innuendos and puns and was breaking away from the norms of society. What Duchamp is mostly known for was his readymade artwork. By definition readymade art "are ordinary manufactured objects that the artist selected and modified, as an antidote to what he called "retinal art". By simply choosing the object (or objects) and repositioning or joining, tilting and signing it, the found object became art".
        Duchamp had a deep impact on modern art in the 19th century and is still highly praised today along with Picasso, and Matisse. Although like his competitors they wanted to art to serve the eye Duchamp wanted art to serve the mind. This was a new turn in art, by breaking the conformity's of art and essentially making anyone and everyone an artist. Without Duchamp society especially today would be lacking individualism and placing limitations for what can be considered objects of art.