This work grew out of lectures given by the author at the philological faculty of Moscow University. It is intended primarily for the audience that is engaged in a systematic study of the history of foreign literature, intended for a senior student studying the problems of art of the 20th century. The very topic of the work involves a certain art history and philological preparation of the reader, knowledge of general issues, the coverage of which does not take place in this work. The book should be perceived as part of a general university course or as materials for a special course.