Studying history is an art by itself as there are various interpretations of what happened at a particular point in time. The foundations of art history could be traced back thousands of years ago when the early civilizations started depicting culturally significant mattes with the technology available to them. During most of these moments, there was no electricity, but that didn’t stop them from articulating what they wanted the others to see. In fact, the lack of the technology we have today has made them even more creative.
As we travel in time to look at how Western Art has evolved throughout the centuries, we will also look at the different historical moments and their impact on the overall appreciation of art—from prehistoric to contemporary art.
Prehistoric Art (~40,000–4,000 B.C.)
Rock carvings, cave wall drawings, stone arrangements, and sculptures using sharpened rocks were dominant during this time. The early artists used natural pigments to express colors and stones to manifest objects, animals, and rituals that were predominant during their time. The most famous of these are the Paleolithic cave drawings found in the caves of Lascaux, France, which is estimated to be around 20,000 years old.
Ancient Art (4,000 B.C.–A.D. 400)
When writing was invented, which was 5,500 years ago, ancient art started to be created by those who were “literate.” Various forms and mediums of art were also prevalent during this time, with some of them aimed at telling stories, but others as serious as codifying laws. One of the most well-known works from ancient Mesopotamia is the Code of Hammurabi. King Hammurabi was given credit for having the laws compiled around 1792 B.C.
Medieval Art (500–1400)
When we talk about art, we usually see all degrees of happiness, but that is not the case all the time. Medieval art happened during the Dark Ages, which saw the economic and cultural deterioration of the Roman Empire. As expected, Gothic architecture and illuminated manuscripts came from this period, with the recently burned Notre Dame Cathedral as an example.
Renaissance Art (1400–1600)
Renaissance art was characterized by a focus on the individual and nature. It was a reaction against the Dark Ages, and so cultural development flourished at this time. Many geniuses gave birth to various artworks that are now protected by the most expensive home security systems today. Some of these artworks include those created by Leonardo Da Vinci, Donatello, and Raphael.
Mannerism (1527–1580)
Immediately following the Renaissance period was Mannerism, which started with Michelangelo, Bronzino, and the later artist’s focus on technique and style rather than the meaning of the subject matter. This was a short-lived movement that produced varying degrees of complex and stylized compositions.
Baroque (1600–1750)
Yielding more ornate and exaggerated visuals and architecture, the Baroque period lasted a bit more than Mannerism. While both Mannerism and Baroque produced stylistically intricate art, what separated this movement from the former was its increased interest in the widening human intellect and global discovery. Rembrandt and Caravaggio are some of the famous artists of this period.
Rococo (1699–1780)
The Baroque movement was characterized by exuberance, which was in contrast with the softer style of the Rococo period. This movement started in France, with the decorative art style making its way to French furniture, porcelain, and silver. Many people nowadays drop a significant portion of their investment money to collect these art-riddled wares.
Neoclassicism (1750–1850)
Overlapping with the Rococo movement during its early years was the age of Neoclassicism. Artists who were part of this movement were heavily influenced by classical elements and a focus on idealism along with an emphasis on modern depictions. Antonio Canova, for example, used classical forms in his marble sculpture but avoided the artificial vibe typical during that time.
Romanticism (1780–1850)
William Blake is a well-known Romanticist, and so was William Wordsworth. Henry Fuseli, a painter, was also a prominent figure of this movement. His macabre painting explored the dark psychology of man. This period was characterized by its focus and investment in imagination and the individual while showing appreciation of nature.
Modernism (1848–1970s)
Modernism encompasses a slew of art movements that started with realism from 1848 to 1900, Art Noveau from 1890 to 1910, followed by Impressionism and Post Impressionism. Fauvism and Expressionism, as well as Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, were also considered part of the modern era. Names like Salvador Dali, Mark Rothko, and Pablo Picasso dominated the art scene during this period.
Meanwhile, Op Art, Pop Art, and Arte Povera became dominant in the 1950s to the 1960s. The last challenged modernist art by incorporating commonplace materials into art such as rope, paper, rocks, and soil. Minimalism and Conceptual Art was the vogue during the 1960s to the 1970s.
Contemporary Art (1970s to present)
The latest art movement is actually a combination of many smaller movements such as, but not limited to, feminism, neo-expressionism, and postmodernism. Given the different degrees of meaning they give to the current understanding of art, it can sometimes be confusing. Art, however, is something personal, and the meaning is definitely individual.
Sources:
Cover Photo: combination of photo #2 and #9
Photo #1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjejoT1gFOc 0:01/3:18
Photo #2: YouTube
Photo #3: YouTube
Photo #4: Pixabay
Photo #5: YouTube
Photo #6: YouTube
Photo #7: YouTube
Photo #8: Pixabay
Photo #9: YouTube
Photo #10: Pixabay
Photo #11 YouTube
Recent Comments