MD

ART HISTORY OVERVIEW

Overview of Art History (15,000 BC - Present)

40,000 B.C. - 2300 B.C. Prehistoric Era

  • Prehistoric art from ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

  • Artists used resources like clay, rocks, minerals, animal hair, bones, wood, fat, and blood for their creations.

  • Common subjects included animals and humans, often conveying narratives.

Mesopotamia (9000 BCE - 300 BCE)

  • Art primarily involved stone relief carvings that adorned imperial monuments.

  • Reliefs depicted royal affairs, such as warfare and hunting.

  • Detailed representations of animals (especially horses and lions) contrasted with simpler human figures.

Egyptian Art (5500 - 500 BCE)

  • Art encompassed painting, sculpture, and jewelry with distinct symbolic style.

  • Much of the surviving artwork originates from tombs and monumental structures.

Greek Art (1000 BCE - 250 BCE)

  • Renowned for its sculpture and architecture, which have greatly influenced later cultures.

  • Expert craftsmanship in decorative vessels for everyday utility.

  • Human forms depicted realistically, showcasing proportion and detail.

Roman Art (509 BCE - 400 CE)

  • Heavily influenced by Greek aesthetics, Romans excelled in various art forms.

  • Mythological themes predominated throughout art in this era.

Middle Ages (200 - 1400 CE)

  • Transitional period between classical and modern history, marked by the spread of Christianity.

  • Art and architecture heavily reflected religious themes.

Medieval Art

  • Spanning 1,000 years, medieval art included illuminated manuscripts, paintings, sculptures, stained glass, metalwork, mosaics, and textiles.

Byzantine Art (400 - 1450 CE)

  • Art aligned with Christian themes; included mosaics, paintings, and sculptures.

  • Illuminated manuscripts played a significant role in artistic expression.

Romanesque Art (500 - 980 CE)

  • Characterized by richly decorated architecture and manuscript illustrations.

Gothic Art (1200 - 1400 CE)

  • Evolved from Romanesque; known for monumental cathedrals and intricate stained-glass designs.

Renaissance Art (1400 - 1600)

  • A "rebirth" period where artists revisited ancient traditions, integrating new scientific knowledge.

  • Concepts of linear perspective and enhanced anatomical understanding transformed natural representation.

Influential Renaissance Artists

  • Included Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, and Botticelli.

  • Common themes included religious subjects, mythology, and portraiture.

Baroque Art (1600 - 1775)

  • Defined by dramatic themes and emotional intensity in religious artworks.

  • Artists depicted portraits emphasizing wealth and social status.

Mannerism

  • Followed Renaissance and Baroque traditions, favoring elongated and exaggerated human figures.

Rococo Art

  • Continued Baroque influences with elaborate interior designs and luxurious ornamental art.

Neoclassicism (1700 - 1800)

  • A revival of classical elements, moving away from the decorative styles of Baroque and Rococo.

Romanticism & Realism (1700 - 1800)

  • Romanticism: Emphasized personal experience, emotional engagement, and nature's beauty.

  • Realism: Focused on depicting objective reality without idealization.

Impressionism (1886-1906)

  • Originating in France, marked by vibrant colors and loose brushwork.

  • Explored the effects of light on various subjects.

Post-Impressionism

  • Artists like Van Gogh and Cezanne continued to explore color and form, pushing expressive paint application.

Modern Art Movements (1880-1970)

  • Notable styles included Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Futurism, Dada, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and Pop Art.

German Expressionism (1900-1910)

  • Characterized by emotional depth and innovation, moving away from realism.

Fauvism (1905-1907)

  • Known for strong colors and painterly qualities, adhering to Impressionism while experimenting.

Cubism (1908-1914)

  • Developed by Picasso and Braque; art transformed into abstract forms with fragmented perspectives.

Futurism (1909-1918)

  • An Italian movement focused on modernity, speed, and the dynamism of technology.

Dadaism (1916-1923)

  • A response to war, rejecting traditional art and finding meaning in absurdity.

Surrealism (1924-1940)

  • Emphasized dreamlike imagery and psychological exploration in artistic expression.

Abstract Expressionism

  • Known for spontaneity and emotional intensity, favoring expression over representation.

Action Painting (1950-)

  • Characterized by dynamic and aggressive applications of paint, exemplified by Jackson Pollock.

Color Field Painting (1950-)

  • Focused on large areas of color with minimal detail, emphasizing the emotional aspect of color.

Pop Art (1950-)

  • Emerged from popular culture, incorporating everyday imagery and challenging traditional art values.

Minimalism (1960-)

  • A reaction against Abstract Expressionism, emphasizing simplicity and essential forms.

OP Art (1964-)

  • Explored optical illusions through the manipulation of lines, shapes, and colors to create motion effects.

Postmodern Art (1970-Present)

  • Continues to evolve, embracing diverse mediums and styles, allowing artists greater freedom of expression.

  • Artists often draw upon environmental themes, human messages, or form-function explorations.