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A look at the history of art and when it may have been invented.
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Prehistoric art
Prehistoric art refers to the earliest form of human visual expression, dated back to the period before writing systems were invented. It includes a wide range of art forms, including painting, sculpture, installations, and objects that have been preserved in archaeological sites.
Ancient art
Ancient art refers to the art of cultures that existed before the invention of writing. Ancient art is often divided into three periods: the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, and the Iron Age. The Stone Age began around 2.5 million years ago and ended around 3,000 BCE. The Bronze Age began around 3,000 BCE and ended around 1,000 BCE. The IronAge began around 1,000 BCE and ended around 500 CE.
Classical art
The earliest examples of art date back to the Stone Age, around 30,000 BC. However, art as we know it today didn’t really take shape until the Classical period between 480-323 BC. This was a time of great political and social change in Greece, and the art of the time reflected this. Greek artists began to experiment with different materials and methods, and a new style of art emerged – one that was more naturalistic and realistic than anything that had come before.
Classical art is often divided into two periods: the Early Classical period (480-450 BC), when artists such as Polykleitos and Phidias were working, and the High Classical period (450-400 BC), when artists such as Praxiteles and Lysippos were at the height of their creative powers. Many of the most famous works of art from this period – such as the Parthenon Marbles and the statue of Zeus at Olympia – have been lost or destroyed, but fortunately we still have a number of excellent examples to give us an idea of what Classical art looked like.
Medieval art
During the Middle Ages, art was used to communicate religious messages. Artists often worked in manuscripts, creating illustrations or decorations that enhanced the text. The most common subject matter was religious scenes from the Bible or lives of the saints. Many of these works were created for a specific purpose, such as to decorate a church or to be used as a teaching tool.
Gothic art emerged in the 12th century and reached its peak in the 14th century. Gothic art is characterized by its ornate, dramatic style, featuring intricate details and tall spires.
During the Renaissance, art became more secular and artists began to explore new techniques and subjects. Renaissance artists were inspired by classical art and philosophy, as well as their own observations of the world around them. They often depicted secular scenes, such as portraits or scenes from mythology.
It is difficult to pinpoint when exactly art was “invented.” However, we can see how it has evolved over time in response to changing cultural needs and influences.
Renaissance art
It is said that art was invented during the Renaissance. This was a period of great technical advancement, and artworks from this period are characterized by their realism and use of perspective. The Renaissance began in Italy in the late 13th century and spread to the rest of Europe in the 15th and 16th centuries. Artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Raphael Sanzio were at the forefront of this artistic movement.
Baroque art
Baroque art was invented in the 17th century. It is a style of art that is characterized by ornate and dramatic features.
Rococo art
Rococo art is a type of 18th-century art that is associated with the French court of King Louis XV. It is characterized by its light, elegant, and playful style. The word “rococo” comes from the French word “rocaille,” which means “stone decor.” Rococo art was created in response to the more formal and serious style of art known as the Baroque. It is often described as “art for art’s sake” because it does not seek to send any particular message or tell any particular story. Rather, it is concerned with beauty and pleasure. Rococo artists sought to create an atmosphere of lightness, elegance, and good taste. Some of the most famous Rococo artists include Jean-Antoine Watteau, François Boucher, and Jean-Honoré Fragonard.
Neoclassical art
Neoclassicism is a type of art that was popular in the late eighteenth century. This style of art is characterized by its use of classical forms and subjects. Neoclassical artists sought to revive the form and style of the art of ancient Greece and Rome.
Romantic art
In the early 1800s, a new artistic movement began in Europe that would change the course of history – Romanticism. This was in response to the formal and logical art of the Enlightenment period which preceded it. Romantic artists believed that art should come from the heart, not the head, and should express intense emotion and feeling. They sought to return to a more idealized and emotional view of the world, often using nature as their inspiration.
One of the most famous Romantic painters was William Blake, who is best known for his mystical and surreal paintings. His work sought to express inner visions and spiritual truths, rather than literal reality. Other well-known Romantics include JMW Turner, John Constable, Caspar David Friedrich and Eugène Delacroix.
Modern art
Most historians date modern art from the 1860s, when a group of painters working in France— Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne, and others — began experimenting with new techniques and subjects. These artists shared a belief that art should depict visible reality as accurately as possible, and they began developing what came to be known as impressionism.
Modern art includes a wide range of styles that defy easy definition because it represents a break from traditional Western notions of what art should look like. While many artists during the period continued to rcord their visual observations of the world around them in traditional ways, others sought to challenge these conventions by creating works that were radically different from anything that had come before.
