The term "modern" refers to the present or recent times, contrasting with the distant past. In the arts—such as literature, visual arts, architecture, dance, and music—Modernism signifies a departure from traditional styles and a quest for innovative forms of expression. This movement became particularly prominent in literature following World War I (1914-18), although the end of the Victorian era (around 1900) also heralded the emergence of new artistic styles across all disciplines.