CHAPTER 2

The History of Art

Intended Learning Outcome:

By the end of this chapter, you must be able to:
1. Explain the History of Art.

Background Information:
Art History Timeline
HISTORICAL ART TIMELINE and LEADING INFLUENCIAL
PERIOD Its CHARACTERISTIC S CONTRIBUTORS WORKS
PREHISTORIC PERIOD/THE BEGINNINGS OF PREHISTORIC ART
CIVILIZATION (~40,000–4,000 B.C.)
(-8000 to 4000 B.C.)
1. Paleolithic Period or Old Stone Age, (30,000 BCE–  Prehistoric cultures that existed before the advent of a  Venus of Willendorf, known as
10,000 BCE) ancient cultural stage, or level, of written language Woman of Willendorf or Nude
human development, characterized using  Small sculptures/portable sculptures Woman. It is a fertility figure, a good-
rudimentary chipped stone tools. Paleolithic man luck totem, a mother goddess symbol,
was a hunter-gatherer who followed the herds of or an aphrodisiac .
reindeer and other game animals in a continuous
quest for food.  Cave paintings/Monumental paintings, incised designs,  Chauvet–Pont d’Arc and Lascaux
and reliefs on the walls of caves from simple finger grotto, limestone caves which
tracings in clay to sophisticated polychrome paintings, sheltered surface for paintings of
generally depicting animals, of dynamic naturalism varied sample of prehistoric graphic
and exquisite design. art,

2. Mesolithic Period or Middle Stone Age (10,000  Due to the warmer climate, Mesolithic rock art moves
BCE–8,000 BCE). Man had invented the small tools from caves to outdoor sites such as vertical cliffs or  Pre-Estuarine X-Ray paintings (c.9,000
like spearheads, arrow heads etc., had started sheer faces of natural rock, often protected from the BCE) Ubirr, Arnhem Land, Australia.
taming the dogs for the hunting purpose. The man elements by outcroppings or overhangs,  focus on  Bhimbetka rock paintings (9,000 BCE)
of this age was still a food collector and not a food humans - usually groups of humans engaged in India.
producer. It begins at the end of the Ice Age - hunting, dancing and various other rituals, as well as  Wonderwerk Cave (8,200 BCE), done
roughly 10,000 BCE - and ends with the arrival of everyday activities.  in a cave that had been inhabited by
agriculture  Rock Paintings. humans for some 2 million years.
 Cave Paintings/Engraving  Argentinian Cueva de las Manos (Cave
 Relief sculpture of Hands) in the valley of the Pinturas
  Wood carving  River, Patagonia, which contains a
host of hand stencils and handprints,
carbon-dated to 7,300 BCE. 

3. Neolithic Period or New Stone Age (8,000 BCE–  Static domestic existence created a huge demand for  The world's earliest ceramic pots,
3,000 BCE). The onset of civilization. Neolithic aesthetic decoration and embellishment. As a result, Xianrendong Cave Pottery (c.18,000
farming settlements gained control of their food crafts were developed as well as various forms of BCE)
supply (farming and animal husbandry). The decorative art and design. Murals began to appear in  Pig Dragon Pendant (3,800 BCE), a
communities became protective of their "territory". houses; as did small statues, and patterns for pottery Chinese Jade carving and Chinese
They merged with others, creating larger and textiles. Lacquerware (from 4,500 BCE)
settlements and cities. They became more  Emergence of monumental religious architecture for  Jiahu Carvings, Yellow River Valley,
organized and hierarchical. Lastly, Neolithic man shrines and tombs. China (7,000–5,700 BCE) Tortoise shell
began to develop systems of belief in supernatural carvings, and the 33 Jiahu flutes carved
deities. from the wing bones of cranes, which
are among the world's oldest musical
instruments.
 Vidovdanka (5500-4700 BCE)
Terracotta figurine from Vinca-Belo
Brdo. Now in National Museum of
Serbia.

ANCIENT PERIOD ANCIENT ART

(3500BC (4,000 B.C.–A.D. 400)
to 400 AD)
 Characterized by early civilization – beginning of  Began in 1775 and lasted until 1825. Types of art
developments, cities, organized government and produced by the advanced cultures of ancient societies,
religion, specialized occupations, advanced refers to the interest and emulation for the classical
technology, and writing. artistic heritage of Greece and Rome. The medium of a
work of art from this period varies depending on the
civilization that produced it, but most art served similar
purposes: to tell stories, decorate utilitarian objects like
bowls and weapons, display religious and symbolic
imagery, and demonstrate social status. Many works
depict stories of rulers, gods, and goddesses.

1. Mesopotamia civilization - appeared 5,000 years  Sumerian artisans worked with clay shaped into bricks  Bronze Head from Nineveh (Portrait
ago between Tigris and Euphrates. It grew into 12 used in making homes, palaces, and temples. of Sargon of Akkad)
city-states. Ziggurat – brick temple, home of gods.  Gold Head of a Bull (from the tomb of
- Sumerians believed in many gods called  Most of artisans worked either for the temple or for the Queen Shubad of Ur)
POLYTHEISM.
 - Mesopotamians developed a twelve-month royal court. They learned how to make tools and
calendar based on the cycles of the moon. weapons of bronze.  A system of writing called
- About 2350 BC, Sargon the Great, ruler of  Schools trained boys in this art – Cuneiform writing and CUNEIFORM
Kingdom Akkad, conquered the city-states and worked as scribes for the temple, court, and merchants.
made it as part of the worlds’ first empire.
- About 2100 BC, one of the Sumerian city -states,
Ur, regained power and ruled birth Sumer and
Akkad.
- About 1792 BC, Hammurabi, a Babylonian ruler
conquered and united Mesopotamia.

2.Egyptian Civilization – lasts 3ooo years, more

stable and situated along the Nile River. The river  Egypt: Art (paintings and sculptures) was mainly to  Queen Nefertiti (ca 1370-ca.1330 BC)
served as excellent transportation route and funerary purposes. Pyramids were built and served  Hieroglyphics (a form of writing where
united the villages along the river. as tombs of pharaoh. pictures and symbols replace sounds
- The farming villages were united into 2  Artists were thought of artisan. They carved and words like those found in ancient
kingdoms – Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, was sculptures and painted scenes for the walls. cave paintings).
ruled by Menes in 3100BC. He built the city of Artisan carved furniture of fine wood inlaid with  The Tomb of Tutankhamen displays
Memphis and established the first dynasty. ancient Egypt’s wealth and power of
gold and ivory. Jewelers fashioned gold and
- The history of Egypt is divided into 3 kingdoms: this civilization.
enamel into ornaments and masks. Weavers made
a.Old Kingdom (2686- 2181 BC) where strong
central government was established. The ruler fine linen as wrappings for the dead.
was called “Pharaoh”. Egypt was torn by civil
war for nearly 200 years.
b. Middle Kingdom restores Egypt’s prosperity.
Egypt was ruled by Thebes about 2040 BC. In
1670 BC, Hyksos, meaning “Princes from
Foreign Lands” gained power and ruled Egypt.
After 100 years, Egyptians learned to use the
Hyksos weapons and regained their
independence.
c.New Kingdom about 1570 BC, known as
Empire Age, because aggressive pharaohs
built an empire. Thutmose, Hatshepsut, the
1st woman ruler in history and Rameses was
the last ruler of the New Kingdom. He built
many temples and colossal statues. In the 14 th
century BC, Egyptian dynasties ended due to
the conqueror Alexander the Great.
- Egyptians respect women, she had a right to
 inherit and own property and sell it, run a
business, and testify in the court.
- They developed knowledge of medicine and
studied astronomy.
- Egyptians believed in life after death and that
tomb is the home of the dead person. They
placed whatever they felt the person would
need in the other world.

3. Greek Civilization
- About 2600 BC, Minoans on the island of Crete
developed a civilization. Mycenaeans from the
Greek peninsula invaded Crete about 1400BC  Simple but beautiful, balanced, and graceful-  Phidias was the best-  “Zeus” at Olympia and the “Athena”
and took control of the trades. With the fall of these are the characteristics of Ancient Greek art, known sculptor  Parthenon, the temple of Athena,
Mycenae about 1100 BC, the Greeks entered the the style that is now called “classical”. patron goddess of Athens.
dark age.  Greek art focused on humanism and divinity  Artemis, goddess of hunting (carving)
- In the Hellenic Age that followed, the Greeks (portrayed gods in human form). Forms of art  Bronze head of Aphrodite, goddess of
developed ideas about gods and became include paintings, sculpture, and pottery. Statues love
familiar with the Homeric epics whose heroes were painted. Painted in pottery vessels were  Tomb of the Diver (painting)
possessed qualities- intelligence, bravery, and scenes and designs revealing their way of life.  Discobolus of Myron (sculpture)
a sense of beauty- that became the Greek ideal. Assembly-line techniques made possible the  A Greek Vessel and The Black Figure
- About 800BC city-states developed in Greece. production of large vessels and those who painted
Two of these- Sparta and Athens. Sparta had them were considered secondary artists.
the bravest warriors in Greece. Athens, where  Greek painters and sculptures showed human
the idea of democracy was born, was famous beings as ideally beautiful. Statutes of athletes had
for its statesmen, thinkers, writers, and well-developed and well-proportioned bodies, while
artists. the faces of men and women were shown with
- In the early 15th century BC, Persian empire perfect features.
threatened to conquer Greece and the two city-
states that often quarreled, united to preserve
their freedom. Their victory over Persia lead to
golden age in Athens.
- When Athens built an empire, Sparta challenged
its rivel and brought on the Peloponnesian War.
The weakened city-states were easily conquered
by Philip of Macedonia in 338BC.
- Philips’s son, Alexander the Great, made Greece
part of an empire that stretched from Egypt to
India.
- Greeks greatly influenced art, architecture,
 science, and philosophy. The Greek ideal was a
balanced life in which both EXCELLENCE and
MODERATION (known as “golden mean”, of
balance between extremes) were goals to be
attained.

4. Roman Republic and Empire

- Starting as small town in Italy, Rome built the
greatest empire of the ancient world. Ruled at
first by Etruscan kings, the Romans in 509 BC set  Romans add realism to art.  Triumph of Caesar by Andrea
up a republic led by members of the Senate and  Sculptures are life-sized and are often done in Mantegna (painting)
by assemblies representing the people. bronze and marble. Sculptors showed the unique  Augustus of Prima Porta (61BC -
- The Roman Republic became a great military qualities of an individual. Greek artists tried to AD14) (sculpture)
power, conquering the rest of the Italian portray perfect human beauty, but the Romans  Marcus Aurelius (equestrian statue)
peninsula. Rome gained control in the western carved every detail realistically. They showed unruly
Mediterranean by defeating Carthage in the hair, a prominent nose, and age lines and wrinkles.
Punic wars, and expanded to the east by  Another popular art in Rome was the wall painting.
conquering the Hellenistic states. Ambitious It featured a variety of subjects like animals,
military leaders seeking power eventually everyday life, portraits, mythology, and landscape.
brought the Republic to an end. In 27BC Triumphal paintings became popular and showed
Octavian, later called Augustus, became in military victories, episodes from the war and
effect the first Roman emperor. conquered cities. Fresco mural paintings was
- Augustus’ rule marked the beginning of the Pax popularized. Frescoes used a painting technique
Romana, 200 years of peace and stability in the with brightly colored backgrounds, multiple
Mediterranean world. The Roman empire united rectangular designs, and multi-point perspective.
the people with different customs and traditions  Mosaic decorative art of Romans created pictures
under a common ruler and a common system of and patterns on a surface by setting small colored
laws and justice. Trade expanded, cities thrived, pieces of glass, marble, or other materials in a bed
and Greco-Roman culture spread in Europe and of cement.
North Africa.
- In the 3rd century AD, Pax Romana ended, and
crises weakened the Roman empire. Civil wars
and Germanic attacks disrupted the economy
and caused people to flee from cities and take
refuge on fortified country estates.
- To cope with the crises, emperors Diocletian and
Constantine increased taxes and tightened state
control over the daily lives of citizens. Burdened
by high taxes, many Romans lost confidence in
the empire and the army lost its loyalty to the
 Roman ideals.
- Overrun by Visigoths and other Germanic tribes,
the Western Roman Empire collapse in AD 476.
Its fall marked the end of the ancient world and
the stage of a new stage in the history of
Western Civilization.
- As the empire declined, Christianity attracted
growing number of followers in Mediterranean
world. By the end of 4th century, it had become
the official religion of the Empire.

MEDIEVAL PERIOD MEDIEVAL ART /ART IN THE MIDDLE AGES

(500 to 1400 AD) (500–1400 AD)
 Medieval civilization in Europe took place during the  Medieval artists created works intended to show their
early Middle Ages (500-1050AD), often referred to as faith and devotion to the Church. These depicted
the “Dark Ages,” marked a period of economic and scenes in the lives of Jesus and of the saints.
cultural deterioration following the fall of the Roman  Their paintings generally showed people whose faces
Empire in 476 A.D. had little individuality and who were stiffly posed.
- Christian church emerged as the institution that  Medieval painters often drew people larger than
unified the people and influenced their lives and
building.
beliefs.
 Medieval art covers 1000 years of art in Europe, Middle
- Medieval civilization gradually developed as
Germanic, Christian and Greco-Roman elements East and North Africa which includes mosaic walls,
began to blend in the Kingdom of the Franks. In domes, and frescoes (paintings on freshly plastered
800 the Frankish ruler, Charlemagne, was walls) adorning churches. They used a kind of paint
crowned Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III, a called tempera.
sign that the Roman ideal of unity and  Panel paintings were introduced and were seen in
organization had not died. church monasteries. These paintings refer to paintings
- Charlemagne’s heir s could not hold empire that were joined together using encaustic wax on
together. Raids by Vikings, Magyars and Muslims portable wooden panels.
caused widespread disorder. Unable to provide  Another form of art created was the Garima Gospels
protection, monarchs lost their power to lords from Ethiopia. These refer to ancient, illuminated
who owned great manors and had their own manuscripts containing the gospels of Matthew, Mark,
armies. Feudalism, which was based on
Luke and John and a set of canon tables.
relationships between lords and their vassals,
1. Romanesque Art: Form of arts include paintings,
developed as central authority declined.  A Romanesque wall painting at the
sculptures, and architecture. Painting is
- The lord’s land was worked by serfs- peasants who Church of St. Clemente de Taul in
characterized by a formality of style with no trace
could not leave the manor, the lords estate. They Catalonia, Spain
 lived in a small village on the manor and of naturalism and humanism. Sculptural styles can  Tympanum of the Last Judgment
performed many tasks for the lord in exchange for be seen on altar frontals, crucifixes, and devotional  Castles and Great Abbey Churches
protection. Largely self-sufficient, the manor was images such as tympanums (semi-circular or  The Church of Saint Paul in Pisa, Italy
the basic economic unit of the Middle Ages. triangular decorative wall surfaces over an entrance, (Architecture)
 The High Middle Ages (1050-1270) was a period of door, or window, bounded by a lintel and an arch).
vitality for Western Europe. Improvements in Architecture is characterized by thick walls, round
agricultural technology and the cultivation of new or semi-circular arches, sturdy pillars, groin vaults,
lands increased food production and led to large and multiple towers, small windows, nave
population growth. Trade revived, banking practices with side aisles, transept, apse, sculpture
developed, rise of universities, and merchants and decorations on portals, painted decoration around
artisans formed guilds. The growth of towns the interior and decorative arcading that exhibit a
contributed to the decline of serfdom and led to the simple appearance.
rise of the middle class.
- The Church often claimed a role in European 2. Gothic Art: Art forms include paintings,  Royal bibles, psalters, prayer books
politics which led to quarrels with the Holy Roman illuminated manuscripts, portable sculptures and known as book of hours (Illuminated
Emperor and other monarchs. These quarrels large churches and life-sized tomb effigies. Gothic manuscripts).
prevented the development of unified states in painting has 4 primary media; frescoes, panel  Small reliefs like figures or Virgin
Germany and Italy. Reform movements, the painting, manuscript illumination and stained Mary, pilgrimage souvenirs like clay
subduing of heresy and the emergence of religious glass. Portable sculptures were created as badges and stamped medals
orders revealed the vitality of the Church in this devotional objects. Architecture was the most (Portable sculptures).
period. Additional signs of European strength important art form during Gothic period. Buildings  Scaliger Tombs in Verona (Tomb
were the conquest of Muslim lands and the were built higher and more graceful. The high effigies).
German conquest and colonization of lands along arched ceilings and tall windows made Gothic  Cathedral of Notre Dame of Bayeux,
the Baltic coast. buildings lighter and more spacious. France (Architecture)
- The Crusades were an attempt by Europeans to
take control of the Holy Land from the Muslim
Turks. While ending in failure, the Crusades led to
important changes. They contributed to the
decline of feudalism in Europe and stimulated
trade between Europe and the East.
 Medieval Scholars studied the Bible and the writings
of important clergy. They saw Christian teachings as
a guide to life and as the basis of knowledge.
Medieval thinkers held that politics, economic life,
law, and views of nature must be based on the Bible.
 In 1400 AD, devastating warfare, severe famine, and
epidemic disease (bubonic plague) brought
significant changes to Europe, increasing the power
of kings, and reducing the political power of the
Popes. These changes would bring the Middle Ages
 to an end.
 Civilizations Beyond Europe (Non-Western World)
- Both Byzantine and Islamic civilizations had
widespread and lasting influences. Their scholars
valued knowledge of Ancient Greece and Rome
and used it as a basis for their own achievements.
Trade made these civilizations prosperous and
encouraged the spread of ideas. Both empires
however, eventually fell to invaders from Asia
who established new empires.
a. Byzantine civilization took shape in the
eastern half of the divided Roman Empire and
was based on Greek language and culture.  Empress Theodora, the empress of
- The Orthodox Church of Constantinople  Byzantine artists were noted for their skill in making Byzantine Empire (Mosaic)
grew apart from the Latin Church in Rome, mosaic designs formed from thousands of small pieces  The picture of Jesus as the Good
reaching a final break in 1054. of colored stone and glass. Shepherd. (Mosaic)
- The Byzantine empire retook much of the  Byzantine art blends several traditions. Artists were  Emperor Justinian holding a model of
territory of the Romans and for a time influenced by both the classical Greco-Roman style and Hagia Sophia (Mosaic)
protected Christian Europe from Muslim the arts of Near east. They combined vivid colors and
invasion. elaborate designs, often using religious themes or
- It gradually lost territory to a series of symbols.  Mary and the Infant Jesus (icon)
invaders and finally fell to the Ottoman  Another form of art was the icon, a small religious
Turks in 1453. Byzantine religion and culture image usually painted on wood. Icons, regarded as holy,
spread to eastern Europe particularly in were kept both in homes and Orthodox churches.  Hagia Sophia, “Church of Holy
Kievan Russia.  Architecture was also distinctive. Churches were built Wisdom”
with a rounded high central dome and mosaic
b. Islam religion was founded by Mohammad in decorations on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Buildings
Arabia in the 17th century. Muslim armies were in the shape of a squared, or Greek-cross.
spread the new faith in the Near East, Africa,
and Asia. At its height, the Muslim Empire  In any Muslim city or village, the mosque stood out
spread from Spain to India. Muslim scholars from all other buildings. In building mosques, tombs,
studied classical works and made advances palaces, and private homes, Muslim architects adapted
in science and medicine. features from other styles. They transformed the solid
- Invaders from Central Asia weakened rounded arch of the Romans to a delicate “Horseshoe”
Byzantine and Islamic empires. Ottoman arch held up by slender columns.
Turks took both Byzantine and Islamic lands  Mosaics of light and dark stone or glazed tiles were
into their growing empire. formed into graceful geometric patterns on walls, roofs,
and courtyards. Passages from the Koran were written
in decorative Arabic script on both the inside and
outside walls.
  Persian artists excelled in delicate miniature painting,
which were influenced by Chinese Art. Scenes showing
historical figures, lovers, hunters, or warriors often were
used as book illustrations or painted on pottery.

TRANSITION TO MODERN TIMES

(1400-1660 AD)
RENAISSANCE AND REFORMATION PERIOD RENAISSANCE ART “Age of Genius”
(1400–1600AD) (1400–1600AD)
 In the 3 centuries following the end of the Middle  The Renaissance or “rebirth” in Italy is often  Giotto- Florentine
Ages, European society, politics, and intellectual life considered the greatest period in the world history painter who first
underwent many changes. Two momentous of art. A new spirit of optimism, confidence, and used perspective
movements- the Renaissance and the Reformation creativity emerged.  Filippo Brunelleschi,  The dome of the Cathedral of Santa
– began the transition from the medieval period to  Human beings were the focus of the arts of the architect applied Maria del Fiore (the Duomo) in
the modern era. mathematical laws Florence (1420–36)
Renaissance in their paintings. It emphasized the
 Renaissance scholars rediscover classical learning. to show perspective
uniqueness of each human face and figure.
They turned their attention to human beings, the accurately. Founding
development of their varied talents and their  In portraits, artists tried to capture each Father of
achievements differed from the medieval viewpoint individual’s character and to show that persons Renaissance
that earthly existence was a preparation for life feelings and personality in a lifelike way. architecture.
after death, the emphasis on the Church lessened.  Artists drew people, trees, buildings, and
 The period began about 1350 in the northern Italian mountains in the proper sizes relative to each  Masaccio created an  San Giovenale Triptych
city-states. other. illusion of space and
 In the 1450’s Europeans first used movable metal  Artists and architects strive for balance and distance.
type to print a book, a copy of the Bible, credited to proportion in their work so that it would appear
Johann Gutenberg, a German. The invention of more realistic.  Trinity of great
printing made books and new ideas available to a masters:
 It featured the use of perspective- the impression
much larger audience. 1. Raphael  Paintings: School of Athens,
of depth and distance on the flat surface of a
 Renaissance inspired artistic creativity and (Raffaello Sanzio Madonnas (Madonna and Child, The
encouraged European explorers to make long painting, to add realism to their painting. da Urbino), Sistine Madonna, The Small Cowper
voyages to distant parts of the globe. Their  Oil painting was developed. Renaissance artists Master of Design Madonna)
discoveries led to the establishment of vast empires, used both perspective and oil painting to produce 2. Michaelangelo
and trade and new wealth brought sweeping work now considered masterpieces. di Lodovico  Sculptures: Pieta and David
changes in the European economy. Buonarroti,  Frescoes: Sistine Chapel Paintings
 In 16th century, reformers headed by Martin Luther Rome’s greatest
challenged basic Church teachings and practices artist.
became known as Protestants: the overall 3. Leonardo da
movement for change was called the Reformation.  Northern Renaissance artists (from northern Vinci, the  Paintings: Mona Lisa and the Last
As a result, people in many parts of Europe left the Europe) emphasized precise, realistic detail and universal genius Supper
Catholic Church to follow new branches of
 Christianity. use of Chiaroscuro- the illusion of form using light  Jan van Eyck, the
 The Catholic Church instituted the Counter- and dark in their landscapes, portraits, and other first master of oil
Reformation to make reforms and strengthen its works. painting, an  Saint Francis of Assisi Receiving the
position.  They used religious themes and symbols and innovator of veristic Stigmata
 Important results of Reformation were the end of realism.
vividly showed contemporary life in the Dutch
religious unity in Western and central Europe and  Pieter Brueghel the
towns and countryside.
the strengthening of government authority. Elder, the greatest
th
 The spirit of scientific curiosity grew. In 17 century, painter of realistic  Landscape with the Fall of Icarus
older explanations of nature were no longer contemporary scenes
accepted but used observation and experiment to  Jan Vermeer
find natural laws.  Jacob van Ruisdael
 In the enlightenment of 18th century, philosophers  Rembrandt
tried to use reason to understand people, politics,  Albrecht Durer
and society.  Hans Holbein the
Younger

THE AGE OF EXPLORATION

 One reason for the sudden burst of exploration
in the early 15th century, was the desire for a sea
route to Asia, the source of gold, silver, and
spices.
 In 1498 Vasco da Gama from Portugal, found a
sea route around Africa to India.
 Between 1492 and 1502, Christopher
Columbus from Spain, failed to reach Asia but
landed on the islands of the Caribbean.
 Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition (1519-1522)
was the first to circle the world, discovering a
westward route from Europe to Asia.
 Europeans conquer and colonize the Americas.
 The Age of Exploration brought changes in
European politics and economic life. The trade
and wealth resulting from exploration changed
business practices drastically, leading to the rise
of capitalism.
THE GROWTH OF MODERN EUROPEAN
STATES
 Politically, the expansion of Europe brought
monarchs greater power at the expense of the
Church and nobility. The foundations of several
modern nations were established.
 During the 16th century, Spain, enriched by its
empire in the Americas, became the strongest
state in Europe with the reigns of Charles V and
Philip II. The power weakened after a revolt in
the Spanish Netherlands and the shattering
defeat in 1588 of the Armada in its attempt to
invade England.
 The thirty years war (1618-1648) disrupts
Europe. It began as a civil war between
Catholics and Protestants in Hapsburg lands,
but eventually involved most of the European
powers. The war left Germany in ruins and
severely weakening the Holy Roman Empire.
 Strong rulers establish France’s power.
SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION AND ENLIGHTENMENT CLASSICAL ART 
(1540-1750 AD) (1527–1850 A.D.)
 The Scientific Revolution and the Enlightenment  Baroque Art (1500’s–1700’s): Began in Rome and   Landscape with a Rainbow,
were important in shaping modern ways of thinking expanded to Flanders, France, and Spain. The painters Assumption of the Virgin, Music-
about both the physical universe and human society. used exaggerated, elaborate, complicated styles in making Angels, Massacre of the
th th
 During the 16 and 17 centuries, scientists used their work. Innocents
observation, experimentation, and mathematics to  Under the influence of the Enlightenment, styles in
explain the universe. The discoveries and methods of the art began to change. Artists worked in a simple and  Narcissus, Ecce Homo
this Scientific Revolution laid the foundations for elegant style that borrowed ideas from Classical
modern science. Greece and Rome. This period after about 1750 is
 During the 18th century, philosophers tried to apply therefore called the Classical.
scientific reasoning to all areas of human interest.  Artists emphasized balance and gracefulness.  Las Hilanderas, Las Meninas, Christ
This period was known as the Enlightenment or Age in the House of Martha, and Mary
of reason. 1. Rococo Art (1700–1789): Very decorative, ornamental,
 Enlightenment thinkers in England and France tried and free. Flourished in France, Italy, Holland, and
to understand and improve society, government, and England.  Jean-Antoine  The Scale of Love
humanity using reason. Watteau is the first
 The Enlightenment emphasis on rational thought, great Rococo painter
political rights, and personal freedom would bring 2. Neoclassicism Art (1789–1815): Paintings were based
great changes in politics and society. Nationalism – a on classical themes and heroic ideals. The figure was
deep feeling for one’s country- was also strong. painted with without feelings and with emphasis on   Joseph-Marie Vien,  Venus emerging From the Sea
style, which was sophisticated, intellectual, cold, Anton Raphael
technical, and very realistic. Form was more important Mengs, Pompeo
than light and color. Neoclassic artists were technical Batoni, Angelica
draftsmen. Kauffmann, and
Gavin Hamilton

3. Romanticism Art (1820–1850): A reverberation

against neoclassicism, traditional classicism, and
imitative styles. Paintings stressed the emotion and  Henry Fuseli   The Nightmare
personality of the individual, dramatic action, and
adventure. They told thrilling stories about life and
experiences. The paint quality was full of energy and
movement, with open, flowing brushwork.

4. Realism Art (1850–1870): Artists began to paint the

lives of workers and peasants in a serious way. They
depicted what they saw in everyday life, not in the  Gustave Courbet,  Burial and Ornans
imagination. They believe in a new scientific and Jean-François Millet,
industrial age that reflected contemporary issues and Honoré Daumier,
images. and Jean-Baptiste-
Camille Corot.

REVOLUTION AND NATIONALISM IN THE WESTERN WORLD

(1605-1785 AD)
The American Revolution
 When Britain attempted to exercise greater political
and economic control over the colonies, The
America’s protested against “taxation without
representation” and defied British authority. Clashes
between the colonial militia and British troops
followed, and many patriots urged breaking away
from Britain. On July 4, 1776, the colonies declared
their independence.
 Following independence, the United States was
governed under the Articles of Confederation, which
provided a weak central government. Facing
 problems in both domestic and foreign affairs, the
states in 1787 adopted a new Constitution, which
established a federal government that divided power
between national and state governments.
The French Revolution and Napoleonic Era (1789 –
1813)
Nationalism In Nineteenth Century Europe (1815-
1878)
Nation-Building in The Americas 1822-1865)
The Industrial Revolution (1750-1890 AD)
 The Industrial Revolution, which began in Great
Britain about 1750, was the result of many factors,
especially changes in agriculture and advances in
technology.
 Machines began to replace human labor; factories
replaced the domestic system of producing goods;
and improved methods of transportation and
communication were invented. The Industrial
Revolution transformed Western society.
 From Britain, the Industrial Revolution spread
rapidly to Germany and United States. Rapid
industrialization and urbanization brought both
opportunities and problems.
 In response to problems, 19th century thinkers
proposed changes in society and in economic life.
Some advocated a laissez-faire economy, others
urged socialism but the most influential was the
writings of Karl Marx which became the basis of
modern communism.
 Other reformers worked for legislation to improve
factory conditions, public health, and education.
Some workers organized labor unions that also
sought reforms in politics and society. More men
gained the right to vote, while women in several
countries were active in the effort to win political
equality.

THE AGE OF IMPERIALISM

(1870-1945 AD)
 The period from 1870 to the outbreak of World  By the early 19oo’s the arts, like the sciences, were
 War I in 1914 is commonly called the Age of entering the modern age.
Imperialism.  Painting was influenced by social changes and
 Imperialism frequently meant exploitation and scientific discoveries in the fields of physics and
the disruption of the traditional ways of life of psychology.  Claude Monet,  Water Lilies
1. Impressionism (1867-1886) developed
the people of a colony. It is also often brought
- Painters experiment with light impressionism
opportunities for economic development and
- Painters from Paris began to experiment with  Camille Pissarro
education and contributed to the spread of showing their impression of an object, not a  Edouard Manet
Western ideas. realistic representation.  Edgar Degah, Pierre-
 By the 19th century, industrialization was - They look at objects outdoors in bright sunlight Auguste Renoir
creating a need for overseas markets and raw and tried to capture how movement, color, and (Parisian).
materials. The great powers of Europe light appeared to the eye in a fleeting instant.  Mary Cassatt, J.A.M.
scrambled to gain territory in Africa and land or - When these artists gave their first group show Whistler (Americans)
economic influence in Asia. In some places, in 1874, they were called impressionists.
western influence spurred other nations to - They found new subject matter as well as a
move toward industrialization, modernization, new way of painting. They painted landscapes
in sun and shadow, but they also showed the
and Western-style constitutional government.
life of ordinary people in an urban,
 In Europe and United States, many earlier
industrialized world.
trends continued as the 19th century ended. The - They showed shop clerks and dock workers in
pace of industrialization and urbanization grew dance halls and cafes and performers in
quicker. Many people gained the right to vote, theaters and circuses.
the chance for an education, and the - They also painted city scenes – bridges,  The Large Bathers
opportunity to achieve a higher standard of railroad stations, streets filled with traffic.
living. A burst of discovery in science introduced  Paul Cezanne,
the modern scientific era. New developments 2. Post-Impressionism/Art Noveau (1880-1910)  Paul Gauguin
also began in art, music, and literature. - Rather than emphasizing the effects of  Vincent Van Gogh
 Civilization was threatened however by other light, post-impressionists expressed and
continuing trends. Nationalism became exaggerated their personal feelings about
extreme in some countries, intensifying political the image. They experimented with vivid  The Sick Child
rivalries and bringing a build-up of military colors and distorted patterns.
strength.  Edvard Munch,
 By 1914 long-standing hostilities among the 3. Expressionism (1905-1925)  Egon Schiele, Oskar
European nations exploded into World War 1. - Popular among German artists, Kokoschka, Wassily
Several empires collapsed. In Russia, czarist rule emphasized portraying what artist felt Kandinsky, Franz
was replaced by a political system whose aim rather than what they viewed. Paintings Marc, Ernst Ludwig
was world revolution and the overthrow of convey intense emotion. There is subject Kirchner, Vincent van
capitalist society. Fear of this movement, but often distorted in form, color, space. Gogh, and Henri
combined with resentments remaining from Light and color are powerfully contrasted Matisse.
World War 1, gave rise to other extreme and there is dynamic movement.  "Guernica" is the most famous
political movements in Europe. National - Expressionism is a highly personal paintings of the world
ambitions also disrupted Asia. By the 1930’s a interpretation of life.  Portrait of Aunt Pepa
second world war seemed inevitable. Beginning
in Europe, World War II eventually involved the 4. Cubism (1908-1914)
globe in the costliest war yet known. - Cubists looked at abstract shapes, trying to  Pablo Picasso (most
influential)
show several different views of a three-
 Georges Braque
dimensional object at once.
 Dadaville
- By the early 1900’s it was not necessary for
a painting to be a painting of something. It
could be pure color, shape, or pattern.

5. Dadaism (1916 – 1924)  Max Ernst

- an avant-garde artistic and cultural movement
prompted by the European societal climate
after World War I. It was a rejection of modern
capitalism, bourgeois culture, and wartime
politics that aligned with other far-left radical
groups. This was expressed using non-  Self-Portrait in a Green Bugatti
traditional art materials, satire, and  The Chrysler Building is a classic
nonsensical content. Even the movement’s example of Art Deco architecture
name, ‘dada’, was meant to be a word with no
meaning.
 Tamara de Lempicka
6. Art Deco (1920 – 1930)
- one of the most elegant and glamorous styles  Man in a Bowler Hat
in modern art history
- were a synonym for modernist ideas of  The Burning Giraffe
progress, optimistic celebrations of life and
luxurious lifestyle of a generation of youth who
was coming of age after the war.
 Rene Magritte
7. Surrealism (1920–1930)
- Aims to revolutionize human experience. It  Salvador Dali
balances a rational vision of life with one that
asserts the power of the unconscious and
dreams. The movement's artists find magic
and strange beauty in the unexpected and the
uncanny, the disregarded and the
 unconventional.
- Surrealistic art is characterized by dream-like
visuals, the use of symbolism, and collage
images.

THE CONTEMPORARY AGE CONTEMPORARY ART/

(1945- PRESENT) ART NOUVEAU (late 20th and 21st centuries -
present)
 The ear after World War II was a time of searching  A reference to Contemporary Art meaning “the art of
for ways to maintain peace despite the growing today,” more broadly includes artwork produced
power and the fearsomeness of the world’s during the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It
weapons. Competitions between the United States generally defines art produced after the Modern Art
and the Soviet Union created a climate of tension movement to the present day.
that became known as the cold war.  The most prominent feature of contemporary art is the
 The post war years brought changes everywhere. fact that it has no distinct feature or a single
Most of the western European nations recovered characteristic. It is defined by the artist's ability to
quickly, ang many underwent remarkable economic innovate and bring out a modern masterpiece.
growth.  Today contemporary fine art is more than just painting
 Important developments shaped the world in the and is defined by 7 fine art disciplines: painting,
th
last decades of the 20 century. sculpture, architecture, poetry, music, literature, and
 Science and Technology: Space programs brought dance.
scientific and technological advances, including
probes to other planets, the space shuttle, and the 1. Abstract Expressionism (1940–1950): An
communication satellites. Discoveries were also American art form that is characterized by  Hans Hofmann,  Purple Tree
made in the fields of oceanography and medicine large, broad, often multicolored strokes of father of abstract
and the computer. expressionism
paint and very expressive abstract forms that
 Ways of living: The growth of industry crowded  Paul Jackson Pollock   Full Fathom Five (1947)
appear to have been painted quickly and
more and more people into urban areas. Population and Lucifer  (1947)
growth intensified the burden of poverty and hunger spontaneously.  Willem de Kooning
on Third World Nations, and scientists searched for
methods to increase world food production.
 Many people became concerned about the 2. Pop Art (1950–1960): It is a comment on the  Andy Warhol, an
 Campbell’s Soup 1
environment, for farming industry, and urbanization contemporary, natural environment and on American Pop artist
all affected the quality of the earth’s air and water. commercial aspects of our culture. Used best known for his
 The advances of the era also brought people of themes such as cakes, pies, and soup cans. prints and paintings
different nations closer together. New forms of Frequently, these objects form patterns and of consumer goods,
communication and transportation helped people are repeated. celebrities, and
learn more about the other people and societies of photographed
the world. disasters.
3. Op Art (1960–1970)
- Concerned with optical illusions achieved  Bridget Riley, Victor
with small, patterned shapes and moving Vasarely, and Jesus  Kiss
visual effects. Rafael Soto

4. Conceptualism (1960 – 2016)

 Marcel Duchamp,
- In conceptual art the idea or concept is the
father of conceptual  Nude Descending a Staircase
most important aspect of the work. When an
art
artist uses a conceptual form of art, it means that
 Damien Hirst
all the planning and decisions are made before
 Mother and Child Divided
hand and the execution is a perfunctory affair.

5. Word Art/Word Painting (1960 – 2016)

- is a form of art that includes text,  Jenny Holzer
forming words or phrases, as its main
 Truism
component; it is a combination
of language and visual imagery.

6. Fluxus
- Fluxus was an avant-garde art movement that
emerged in the late 1950s as a group of artists  Geoffrey Hendricks
who had become disenchanted with the  Sky Crated
elitist attitude, they perceived in the art  Joseph Beuys, 
world at the time. These artists looked to  Woman/Animal Skull
Futurists and Dadaists for inspiration, focusing  Yoko Ono
especially on performance aspects of the  Cut Piece
movements.

7. Installation Art (1970)

- is a modern movement characterized by  Kurt Schwitters
immersive, larger-than-life works of art.  Yayoi Kusama’s   The Hannover Merzbau. 
Usually, installation artists create these pieces  Infinity Mirror Room 
for specific locations, enabling them to expertly
transform any space into a customized,
interactive environment
-  is an artistic genre of three-dimensional works
that are often site-specific and designed to
transform the perception of a space.
- because of its flexibility and three-
 dimensionality, installation art is influenced by
developments in computer art - such as
software developments in video and film
projection - as well as techniques used in avant-
garde theatre and dance. Architectural and
interior design are other influences.

Learning Activity No. 1

A. Direction: Common forms of art in various period in the history are painting, mosaic, sculpture, architecture, carving. Identify what form of art is shown in each number
then, describe it.
Artwork Form of Art Description

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

B. Using a Venn diagram, compare the following:

 1. Gothic and Romanesque art
2. Medieval and Renaissance art

C. Explain how the different historical period influence the development of art.