APAH Time Periods

Prehistoric

The earliest form of art, from the Paleolithic to the Neolithic period, focusing on survival and symbolism.

Ancient Near Eastern

Art from the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Persia, and the surrounding regions.

Ancient Egyptian

Art focused on the afterlife, gods, and pharaohs, with a strict sense of order and symbolism.

Ancient Greek

Art that emphasized humanism, rationalism, and idealism, focusing on the human form and beauty.

Ancient Roman

Roman art focused on realism, portraiture, and grand architectural projects.

Early Christian and Byzantine

Art from the Christian Roman Empire, including the rise of Christian iconography and Byzantine mosaics.

Medieval

Art from the fall of Rome to the Renaissance, encompassing various styles like Romanesque and Gothic.

Renaissance

A revival of classical art and learning, focusing on humanism, perspective, and realistic anatomy.

Baroque

A period of emotional intensity, dramatic use of light, and grandeur in art.

Rococo

A light-hearted, ornate style that emerged in France in the 18th century, focusing on pleasure and grace.

Neoclassicism

A return to classical ideals of order, balance, and restraint, reacting against Rococo's extravagance.

Romanticism

A reaction against the Industrial Revolution and Enlightenment, focusing on emotion, nature, and individualism.

Realism

Focused on depicting everyday life and the realities of the human condition, especially working-class life.

Impressionism

Focused on capturing the fleeting effects of light and color, and everyday life scenes.

Post-Impressionism

Building on Impressionism but focusing more on personal expression, abstraction, and symbolism.

Modernism

A broad movement that includes abstract art, expressionism, and new forms of visual experimentation.

Contemporary Art

Art from the mid-20th century to the present day, including a wide variety of styles and media.