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.
Art History Timeline: Western Art Movements and Their Impact
ART TIMELINE ART PERIOD CHARACTERISTICS OF ART LEADING CONTRIBUTORS INFLUENTIAL WORKS
PREHISTORIC ART ~40,000–4,000 B.C. Rock carvings, pictorial imagery,
sculptures, and stone
1. The arrangements
Paleolithic
Period or Old Art from this period relied on
Stone Age using natural pigments and stone
carvings to create representations Cave paintings found in the caves
of objects, animals, and rituals of Lascaux in France:” Painting of a
that governed a civilization’s horse”.
existence.

2. Mesolithic Mesolithic rock art moves from  Mesolithic rock art sites exist
Period or caves to outdoor sites such as on the Mediterranean coast of
Middle Stone vertical cliffs or sheer faces of Spain.
Prehistoric cultures that
Age natural rock, focusing on humans -
existed before the
usually groups of humans engaged
advent of a written
in hunting, dancing, and various
language
other rituals, as well as everyday
activities.
Dance of the Cogul: El Cogul, Catalonia,
Spain.
3. Neolithic Neolithic artwork consists mostly
Period or New of pottery, terracotta sculptures,
Stone Age statuettes, Neolithic drawings like
engravings and wall paintings, and
pictograms. Neolithic sculpture
 was also made through new
techniques like sculpting it from
clay and baking it instead of just
strictly through carving.

Neolithic Art - Patchogue Chamber of

Commerce
ANCIENT ART 30,000 B.C.– 400 Religious and symbolic imagery,
AD decorations for utilitarian objects,
and mythological stories,
demonstrate social status.
Ancient art was produced by
advanced civilizations, which
refers to those with an
established written language.
Code of Hammurabi.Created
These civilizations included: around 1792 B.C., the piece bears
1. Mesopotamia, a Babylonian set of laws carved in
Sumerian artisans stone, adorned by an image of
worked with clay shaped into King Hammurabi—the sixth King
of Babylonia—and the
bricks used in making homes,
Mesopotamian god, Shabash.
palaces, and temples.
Ziggurat – brick temple,
home of gods.
2. Egypt,
Art (paintings and
sculptures) was mainly for
funerary purposes. Pyramids
were built and served as tombs
of pharaohs. Civilizations from
Mesopotamia, Egypt,
3. Greece
Simple but beautiful, Greece, and the
Americas
balanced, and graceful- these are
the characteristics of Ancient
Greek art, the style that is now
called “classical”.
 Greek painters and
sculptures showed human beings
as ideally beautiful. They tried to
portray perfect human beauty
Statutes of athletes had well-
developed and well-proportioned
bodies, while the faces of men and
women were shown with perfect
features.
4. Roman Republic and Empire
Romans add realism to
art. Sculptures are life-sized and
are often done in bronze and
marble. Sculptors showed the
unique qualities of an individual.
They carved every detail
realistically. Other popular arts
include wall painting, fresco
triumphant painting, mural
painting, and mosaic decorative
art.
MEDIEVAL ART 500 AD – 1400AD  The Middle Ages, often referred Abbot Cimabue Crucifix, 1288
to as the “Dark Ages,” marked a Sugar Cimabue Giotto Lamentation of Christ,
period of economic and cultural Giotto 1305
deterioration following the fall
of the Roman Empire in 476
A.D. Much of the artwork
produced in the early years of
the period reflects that  Royal bibles, psalters, prayer
darkness, characterized by books known as book of hours
grotesque imagery and brutal (Illuminated manuscripts).
scenery. Art produced during  Small reliefs like figures or
this time was centered around Virgin Mary, pilgrimage
the Church. souvenirs like clay badges and
 As the first millennium passed, stamped medals (Portable
sculptures).
 more sophisticated and  Cathedral of Notre Dame of
elaborately decorated churches Bayeux, France (Architecture)
emerged; windows and
silhouettes were adorned with
biblical subjects and scenes
from classical mythology.
Medieval artists created works
intended to show their faith and
devotion to the Church. These
depicted scenes in the lives of
Jesus and of the saints.
 This period was also
responsible for the emergence
of the illuminated manuscript,
portable sculptures, and Gothic
architecture style.
 Gothic Art: Buildings were built
higher and more graceful. The
high arched ceilings and tall
windows made Gothic buildings
lighter and more spacious.

RENAISSANCE ART 1400 AD – 1600 Natural elements, individualism, Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa,
“Age of Genius” AD realism, attention to detail, Michelangelo 1503
precision of human anatomy Raphael Michelangelo David, 1504
 The Renaissance or “rebirth” in Raphael The School of Athens,
Italy is often considered the 1511
greatest period in the world
history of art. A new spirit of
optimism, confidence, and
creativity emerged.
 This style of painting,
sculpture, and decorative art
was characterized by a focus
on nature and individualism, the
 thought of man or human being
as independent and self-reliant.
It emphasized the uniqueness
of each human face and figure.
 Artists drew people, trees,
buildings, and mountains in the
proper sizes relative to each
other.
 Artists and architects strive for
balance and proportion in their
work so that it would appear
more realistic.
 It featured the use of
perspective- the impression of
depth and distance on the flat
surface of a painting, to add
realism to the painting.
 Oil painting was developed.
Renaissance artists used both
perspective and oil painting to
produce work now considered
masterpieces.
Mannerism Art 1527 AD- 1580 Stylized features, exaggerated Bronzino Bronzino, Venus, Cupid, Folly and
details, decorative elements Francesco Salviati Time, 1540
 Mannerist artists emerged from Giorgio Vasari Giorgio Vasari Allegory of the
the ideals of Michelangelo, Immaculate Conception, 1541
Raphael, and other Late
Renaissance artists, but their
focus on style and technique
outweighed the meaning of the
subject matter. Often, figures
had graceful, elongated limbs,
small heads, stylized features,
and exaggerated details.
CLASSICAL ART
Baroque 1600 - 1750 Ornate, grandeur, richness, Caravaggio Caravaggio The Calling of St
 stylistically complex, dramatic Johannes Vermeer Matthew, 1600
 The Baroque period yielded Rembrandt van Rijn Rembrandt The Night Watch,
ornate, over-the-top visual arts 1642
and architecture. Johannes Vermeer Girl with a
 It was characterized by Pearl Earring, 1665
grandeur and richness,
punctuated by an interest in
broadening human intellect and
global discovery.
 Baroque artists were
stylistically complex. The
painters used exaggerated,
elaborate, complicated styles
in their work.
Rococo 1699 - 1780 Lightness, elegance, natural Antoine Watteau Antoine Watteau
forms, asymmetrical design, Francois Boucher Embarkation for Cythera, 1718
subtle colors Francois Boucher Venus
 Rococo originated in Paris, Consoling Love, 1751
encompassing decorative art,
painting, architecture, and
sculpture. The aesthetic
offered a softer style of
decorative art compared to
Baroque’s exuberance. Rococo
is characterized by lightness
and elegance, focusing on the
use of natural forms,
asymmetrical design, and
subtle colors.
Neoclassicism 1750-1850 Renewed interest in classical Antonio Canova Jacques-Louis David Napoleon
antiquity, harmony, simplicity, and Jacques-Louis David Crossing the Alps, 1801
proportion Antonio Canova The Three
 As its name suggests, the Graces, 1816
Neoclassical period drew upon
elements from classical
antiquity (is a broad term for a
 long period of cultural history
centered on the Mediterranean
Sea, comprising the
interlocking civilizations of
ancient Greece and ancient
Rome, collectively known as
the Greco-Roman world). It
translated to a renewed
interest in classical ideals of
harmony, simplicity, and
proportion.

Romanticism 1780-1850 Imaginative elements focus on Francisco Goya Henry Fuseli The Nightmare,
passion, emotion, and observing Henry Fuseli 1781
the senses. William Blake William Blake The Ghost of a
 Romantic artists emphasized Flea, 1820
the individual and imagination. Francisco Goya Saturn
Another defining Romantic Devouring His Son, 1823
ideal was an appreciation for
nature, with many turning
to plein-air painting, which
brought artists out of dark
interiors and enabled them to
paint outside.
 Artists also focused on passion,
emotion, sensation, personality
of the individual, dramatic
action, and adventure.

Realism 1848 - 1900 Detailed depictions of everyday Gustave Courbet Jean-François Millet The
life Jean-François Millet Gleaners, 1857
 Realism was a result of Gustave Courbet Woman with a
multiple events: the anti- Parrot, 1866
Romantic movement in
Germany, the rise of journalism,
and the advent of photography.
 Each inspired a new interest in
accurately capturing everyday
life.
 Artists began to paint the lives
of workers and peasants
seriously. They depicted what
they saw in everyday life, not in
the imagination. They believe in
a new scientific and industrial
age that reflected
contemporary issues and
images.
NEW ART (Modern
Age)
Impressionism 1865-1885 Short, quick brushstrokes, Claude Monet Pierre-Auguste Renoir Dance in the
separation of color, sketch-like Pierre-Auguste Renoir City, 1872
finish, modern subject matter Claude Monet, Impression, Sunrise,
 Painting was influenced by 1899
social changes and scientific
discoveries in the fields of
physics and psychology.
 Painters from Paris began to
experiment with showing their
impression of an object, not a
realistic representation.
 Impressionist painters sought
to capture the immediate
impression of a particular
moment. This was
characterized by short, quick
brushstrokes and an
unfinished, sketch-like feel.
 Impressionist artists used
modern life as their subject
matter, painting situations like
dance halls and sailboat
 regattas rather than historical
and mythological events.
Art Nouveau 1890-1910  “New Art,” attempted to create an Alphonse Mucha Antoni Gaudí Church of Sagrada
entirely authentic movement free from Antoni Gaudí Familia, 1882
any imitation of styles that preceded Gustav Klimt Gustav Klimt The Kiss, 1908
it. This movement heavily influenced Alphonse Mucha Princess
applied arts, graphics, and illustration. Hyacinth, 1911
 It focused on the natural world
characterized by Long, sinuous
lines and curves.
Post-Impressionism 1885-1910 Subjective visions, symbolism, Georges Seurat Georges Seurat A Sunday
abstraction Vincent van Gogh Afternoon on the Island of La Grande
Jatte, 1886
 Rather than emphasizing the Vincent van Gogh The Starry
effects of light, post- Night, 1889
impressionists expressed and
exaggerated their personal
feelings about the image. They
experimented with vivid colors
and distorted patterns.
 They concentrated on
subjective visions and
symbolic, personal meanings
rather than observations of the
outside world. This was often
achieved through abstract
forms.
Fauvism 1900 - 1935 As the first avant-garde, 20th- André Derain Henri Matisse Woman with a Hat,
century movement, this style Henri Matisse 1905
was characterized by the André Derain The Houses of
expressive use of intense color, Parliament, 1905-1906
line, and brushwork, a bold
sense of surface design, and
flat composition.
 As seen in many of the
works of Matisse. the
 separation of color from its
descriptive, representational
purpose was one of the core
elements that shaped this
movement. Fauvism was an
important precursor of
Cubism and Expressionism.
Expressionism 1905 –1920  Expressionism emerged as a Edvard Munch Edvard Munch The Dance of Life,
response to increasingly Wassily Kandinsky 1900
conflicted world views and the Wassily Kandinsky The Blue Rider,
loss of spirituality. 1903
 Expressionist art sought to
draw from within the artist,
using a distortion of form and
strong colors to display
anxieties and raw emotions.
 Artists emphasized portraying
what artists felt rather than
what they viewed. Paintings
convey intense emotion. There
is a subject but often distorted
in form, color, and space. Light
and color are powerfully
contrasted and there is
dynamic movement.
 Expressionism is a highly
personal interpretation of life.
Cubism 1907 - 1914 Abstraction, flat, two- Georges Braque Georges Braque Violin and
dimensional surfaces, geometric Pablo Picasso Palette, 1909
forms, contrasting vantage Pablo Picasso Guernica, 1937
points.
 Cubists looked at abstract
shapes, trying to show several
different views of a three-
dimensional object at once.
 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.
Surrealism 1917 - 1950 Exploration of dreams and Max Ernst Salvador Dalí The Persistence of
unconsciousness, inspired by René Magritte Memory, 1931
Sigmund Freud. Salvador Dalí Max Ernst The Robing of the Bride,
 Aims to revolutionize the 1940
human experience. It balances René Magritte The Son of Man, 1964
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.
CONTEMPORARY ART
“The Art of Today”
Abstract 1940-1950’s Spontaneity, improvisation, Jackson Pollock Jackson Pollock Autumn Rhythm
Expressionism colossally scaled works, unique Mark Rothko (Number 30), 1950
techniques Mark Rothko Orange and Yellow,
 An American art form that is 1956
characterized by large, broad,
often multicolored strokes of
paint and very expressive
abstract forms that appear to
have been painted quickly and
spontaneously.
 The painters and abstract
sculptors broke away from
what was considered
 conventional, and instead used
spontaneity and improvisation
to create abstract works of art.
This included colossally scaled
works whose size could no
longer be accommodated by an
easel. Instead, canvases would
be placed directly on the floor.
Op Art 1950’s – 1960’s Use of colors, patterns, shapes, Bridget Riley Bridget Riley Blaze, 1964
and contrast to create images Jean-Pierre Yvaral
that appear to be moving or Victor Vasarely
blurring.
 Artists used shapes, colors,
and patterns to create images
that appeared to be moving or
blurring, often produced in
black and white for maximum
contrast. These abstract
patterns were meant to both
confuse and excite the eye.
 Concerned with optical
illusions achieved with small,
patterned shapes and moving
visual effects.

Pop Art 1950’s – 1960’s Use of everyday, mundane Andy Warhol Andy Warhol Campbell's Soup Cans,
objects, bold, vivid colors, mass Roy Lichtenstein 1962
media. Roy Lichtenstein Brushstrokes,
 It is a comment on the 1962
contemporary, natural
environment and commercial
aspects of our culture.
 Used themes such as cakes,
pies, and soup cans.
Frequently, these objects form
patterns and are repeated.
  Artists used every day,
mundane objects to create
innovative works of art that
challenged consumerism and
mass media.
Arte Povera 1960’s Use of soil, rocks, paper, and Alighiero Boetti Mario Merz Giap’s Igloo, 1968
other natural elements to create Giovanni Anselmo
a pre-industrial sentiment. Mario Merz
 Translating literally to “poor
art,” Arte Povera challenged
modernist, contemporary
systems by infusing
commonplace materials into
creations. Artists used soil,
rocks, paper, rope, and other
earthen elements to evoke a
pre-industrial sentiment. As a
result, many of the notable
works during this movement
are sculptural.
Minimalism 1960’s – 1970’s A focus on exactly what the art Carl Andre Frank Stella Black Series I,
portrays, aside from outside Donald Judd 1967
realities and emotions. Frank Stella
 Minimalist art instead focused
on anonymity, calling attention
to the materiality of works.
Artists urged viewers to focus
on precisely what was in front
of them, rather than draw
parallels to outside realities
and emotive thoughts through
the use of purified forms, order,
simplicity, and harmony.

Conceptual Art Mid 1960’s – mid An emphasis on ideas over visual Joseph Kosuth Joseph Kosuth One and Three
1970’s components in the form of Marcel Duchamp Chairs, 1965
 performances, ephemera, and Sol LeWitt
other forms.
 Artists prized ideas over visual
components, creating art in the
form of performances,
ephemera, and other forms.
 Polish performance artist Ewa
Partum’s Active Poetry
consisted of her scattering
single alphabet letters across
various landscapes.
 American artist Joseph Kosuth
explored the production and
role of language within art, as
seen in his 1965, One and
Three Chairs. In it, he
represents one chair in three
different ways to represent
different meanings of the same
object.
 Because this type of art
focused on ideas and concepts,
there was no distinct style or
form.
Contemporary Art 1970’s - present Exploration of Postmodernism, Jeff Koons Jeff Koons Michael Jackson
Feminist art, Neo-Expressionism, and Bubbles, 1988
Street art, Appropriation art,
Digital art, and other small
schools
 The 1970s marked the
beginning of contemporary art,
which extends through present
day. This period is dominated
by various schools and smaller
movements that emerged.
• Postmodernism: In reaction
against modernism, artists
created works that reflected
skepticism, irony, and
philosophical critiques.
• Feminist art: This movement
arose to transform stereotypes
and break the model of a male-
dominated art history.
• Neo-Expressionism: Artists
sought to revive original
aspects of Expressionism and
create highly textural,
expressive, large works.
• Street art: Artists such as
Keith Haring, Jean-Michel
Basquiat, Barry McGee,
Banksy, and more created
graffiti-like art on surfaces in
public places like sidewalks,
buildings, and overpasses.
• The Pictures Generation:
Artists Cindy Sherman, Louise
Lawler, Gary Simmons, and
others who were influenced by
Conceptual and Pop art
experimented with
recognizable imagery to
explore how images shaped our
perceptions of the world.
• Appropriation art: This
movement focused on the use
of images in art with little
transformation from their
original form.
• Young British Artists (YBA):
This group of London artists
was notorious for their
 willingness to shock audiences
through their imagery, and a
willingness to push beyond the
limits of decency. They’re also
known for their zestful,
entrepreneurial spirit.
• Digital art: The advent of the
camera lent way to this artistic
practice that allowed artists to
use the infusion of art and
technology to create with
mediums like computers, audio
and visual software, sound, and
pixels.

Art movements throughout the history of Western art have offered a swath of diverse, influential styles, techniques, and
media across the globe. Each movement shed light on distinctive painting, sculpture, architectural achievements, and other
defining works. Understanding the timeline of art history and how each period has influenced later movements is paramount to
building a thoughtful, cohesive collection.

SOURCES: The Metropolitan Museum of Art | Owlcation | Encyclopedia Britannica | History | The Art Story | Oxford Art Online | ThoughtCo.

https://www.invaluable.com/blog/art-history-timeline/
Learning Activity No. 1
A. Direction: Look for the influential artworks of the leading contributors for each art and paste it in the art timeline below. The first one is done to serve as your guide.

Art Timeline and Period Leading Contributors Influential Artwork

Pre-Historic Art Prehistoric cultures that
~40,000–4,000 B.C. existed before the
advent of a written
language

Cave paintings found in the

caves of Lascaux in France:”
Painting of a horse”.
Ancient Art

Medieval Art
Learning Activity No. 2
B. 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.

Learning Activity No. 3

Direction: Perform the activity below and answer the questions that follow. Get a picture of every step you are going to perform.

I. Objective: Create a simple carving.

II. Materials: Soft soap, plastic spoon, plastic knife, simple design template.
III. Procedure:
1. Lightly sketch your animal design on a sheet of paper.
2. Trace your design on the soap.
3. Carve your design using the plastic knife.
4. Smoothen the edges using the back of the plastic spoon.
5. Get a picture of your soap carving.
6. Paste your picture output at the center of a long bond paper. Around it, arrange the pictures of yours taken while you were performing the activity.
IV. Questions to Ponder:
1. During what art period did carving started?
2. Why do you think carving was the most preferred artwork during that time?
Learning Activity No. 4

Direction: Perform the activity below and answer the questions that follow. Get a picture of every step you are going to perform.

I. Objective: Create an example of a mosaic artwork.

II. Materials: broken pieces of tiles or glass, wood glue, mortar, flat piece of wood, pencil or black marker, varnish, trowel, spatula, grout
III. Procedure:
1. Select the material you wish to use for your mosaic. Pieces of materials used in mosaic art are called tesserae.
2. Pick a sturdy material for your base to stick the mosaic tiles on.
3. Find a pattern or design you wish to make into a mosaic.
4. Transfer the design to your base. Lat the tesserae flat according to design.
5. Mix the mortar per the manufacturer's recommendations. Apply it directly on the tesserae using a trowel or spatula. As you apply, press down firmly to affix
the mosaic tiles in place.
6. Let the mortar set, following manufacturer recommendations. Clean the mosaic tiles to clear away any extra mortar that may have risen to the top.
7. Prepare the grout mixture. Grout comes in many colors and there are colors you can add to the grout to change the coloring. Choose a color that
complements your mosaic.
 8. Apply the grout using a spatula. Fill in the creases between the tiles. The grout should cover the mosaic enough to fill the gaps.
9. Let the grout set for 20 minutes. Wipe the mosaic with a clean sponge and warm water.
10. Seal the mosaic with varnish. This will serve as the coating and safeguard the tiles against any damage. It will also add gloss and shine, making the colors
stand out.
11. Supposing the mentioned materials are not available, you can use alternative materials that are found in the locality.
IV. Questions to Ponder:
1. During what art period mosaic became popular?
2. What were the common subjects being illustrated during the said period? Why do you say so?