Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Modernist \Mod"ern*ist\, n. [Cf. F. moderniste.]
   One who admires the moderns, or their ways and fashions.

Modernist \Mod"ern*ist\, n.
   An advocate of the teaching of modern subjects, as modern
   languages, in preference to the ancient classics.

Source : WordNet®

modernist
     adj : of or relating to modernism; "modernist paintings"

modernist
     n : an artist who makes a deliberate break with previous styles