UNIT V.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ART

Overview
In this chapter, we will discuss the historical development of Art from Pre – Colonial Period
up to Modern Ages. In this chapter we will see and understand how art evolves from different
generations and times.

Learning Objectives
At the end of the chapter, I am able to
1. Classify various movements by citing their important characteristics such as historical
background, factors, influential person, socio – political issues and prevalent artists, art
forms and art media.
2. Identify the underlying history, philosophy of the era or movements.
3. cite important characteristics in an artwork based on the era movement ( document and
annotate works)
4. Develop students’ ability in manipulating the elements of art.

Setting Up
Motive Activity
Name: _ Score:
Course/Year/Section: _ Date:

Interpret the image below. Write your own understanding of the image and state what
elements of art used in the artwork.
Lesson

Visual Arts

Pre – Historic Period (40000 BC to 4,000 BC)

The start of art history started during the Prehistoric Era,
right before records were kept by people. The first art
came from the Paleolithic Era, or during the Old Stone Age.
The known form of arts during that era are rock carvings,
pictorial imagery, engravings, stone arrangements and
sculptures.
The medium that they used in this period are pigments
that come from nature and stone carvings to came mostly
representations of animals, objects and rituals that is seen
during the civilization’s existence. One of the most famous
Paleolithic cave paintings were found in the caves of
Lascaux, France. Most of the cave paintings seen in the
caves of Lascaux depicted large animals and vegetation.

Ancient Period

Ancient art was produced by the civilized men

who are considered more advanced than the people
during the pre-historic period. During this period, people
already established their written language. The known
civilizations during these times are Mesopotamian,
Egyptian, Grecian and some of those Americans.
The medium that they used for their artwork varied from
one civilization to another. But most likely, the art that
they create served purposes. Some tell their stories,
some are decorated utilitarian objects like weapons and
bowls, and some are symbolic imagery that sometimes
shows their social status. During this period, many of
their works depict the stories of their rulers, gods and
goddesses.
Mesopotamian civilization was the one known to be the
most famous creator during the Ancient Period. The
artwork Code of Hammurabi, which was created around
1792 B.C, contains the piece bears of the Babylonian set Hammurabi’s Law Code. J.B Wiener. Ancient.edu
of laws. It was carved in stone, and adorned by the image
of King Hammurabi. King Hammurabi is the sixth king of
Babylonia.
 Medieval
Middle Ages, or also referred to as the “Dark Ages”, is the start of the cultural and economic
deterioration. This follows the fall of the Roman Empire. The artworks created during this time
mostly reflect darkness, and most distinguished by grotesque imagery and harsh scenery. The focus
of the artworks are centered on the Church. More sophisticated and decorated churches emerged
during the first millennium. Windows and
Silhouettes were adorned because they show
scenes from mythology and biblical subjects.
Illuminated manuscripts and Gothic Architecture
also emerged during this period. The influential art
from the medieval period is the catacombs in
Rome and the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul. The best
known illuminated manuscript during this period
is the Lindisfarne Gospels while the most
prominent gothic architecture during the time the
Hagia Sophia, Istanbul F.Wizorek. Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris.

Renaissance Period

Renaissance art was represented by the focus

on individualism and nature that can be seen through
their style in painting, decorative arts and sculpture.
The idea of individualism or the thought of man as
independent and self - reliant started during the late
medieval period but they flourished during the 15th
and 16th centuries, parallel to the economic and social
changes because of secularization.
The height of the Renaissance period reached
Florence, Italy when the Medici family, a well - known
wealthy merchant supported arts and humanism.
Humanism is a belief and philosophy that is focus on
the emphasis of the human realm. The key person
during this time is the Italian designer Filippo
Brunelleschi and Donatello who is a sculptor. High
Renaissance produced influential artists such as
Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo. Each of Lamentation, fresco by Giotto, c. 1305–06; in the Arena Chapel, Padua, It
them brought the idea of emotional expression
through artworks. Most of the
artworks during the Renaissance period were characterized by realism; it is focused on details and
the study of human anatomy. The linear perspective and they created depth by the use of intense
lighting and shading.
 Manneris
The clash between the humanism and Christian faith gave way to
what we call Mannerism.
Artists during this period emerged from the ideas of Raphael and
Michelangelo. Their technique and style outweighed the meaning of a
subject matter. Most of the figures had graceful, small limbs, elongated
limbs, stylized features and exaggerated details. This gives way to more
stylized and complex compositions rather than to depend on the
classical ideals of united composition and linear perspective used by
Renaissance predecessors.
The most famous Mannerist includes Giorgio Vasari, Domenica
Beccafumi, and Francesco Salviati. One of the great Mannerist painter in
Florence during his time is Bronzino.

Baroque Period
Souls Sent to Hell, Pulled down
by Demons (1535-41). Detail from The Last Judgment Fresco mural, Sistine Chapel. By Michelangelo

The yielded ornate, extreme visual arts and architecture

are known as the Baroque Period. This period is distinguished
by richness and grandeur, punctuated by an interest in widening
the human intellect and discovery. Artists during this period
were known to be stylistically complex.
Paintings during this period portrayed by drama. Most of the
painters used intense contrast between the dark and light and
had extreme compositions paired by rich color palettes. The
known artists during this time were Caravaggio and Rembrandt.
Samson and Delilah (1609-1610) by Peter Paul Rubens

Rococo period

Paris is the origin of the Rococo Period.

This period encompasses decorative art,
architecture, painting and sculpture. The aesthetic
brings a softer style of decorative art compared to
Baroque vivacity.
This period is characterized by elegance and
lightness, focuses on the use of asymmetrical
designs, natural forms and subtle colors.
The style is easily translated to porcelain, silver
and French furniture. Armoires and chairs that
show curving forms, floral design and expressive
use of gilt. The artworks of Antoine Watteau and
Francois Boucher used lighthearted treatments,
Antoine Watteau, ‘The Embarkation for fresh colors and brushwork.
Cythera’ (1717)
 Neoclassicis

The neoclassical period came from the elements of the

classical age. The artworks that were discovered from the
civilization of Athens and Naples reignited the passion for the
things in the past, and artists strove to recreate the works of
ancient art. Neoclassicism renewed the interest of artists in
classical ideals of harmony, proportion and simplicity. The
focuses of the artists were on Idealism. They included modern
and historically relevant depictions in their artworks. An
example of this is the Italian sculptor Antonio Canova. His
works is based on the classical elements that are shown in his
marble sculptures.
Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss by Antonio Canova; 1787; Lo

Romanticism

This period embodied a large range of disciplines, form

painting, to literature, to music. Romanticism presents the
ideas that reject order, rationality, and harmony, which were
embraced during the classical art and Neoclassicism. Artists
during this period emphasized the imagination and individual.
The appreciation for nature was also a Romantic ideal. Plein
Air painting brought artist from dark interiors on closed
spaces to painting outside. They focused on passion, sensation
and emotion rather than reason and intellect. Henry Fuseli is a
known Romantic painter because he created a strange,
macabre painting that depicts dark recesses of Human
Psychology. Another known Romantic artist is William Blake,
who wrote mysterious poems and images that conveyed his
disappointment
Pity, colour print finished in pen and watercolour by William Blake, and
1795;mystical
in the Tatevisions in societal
Collection, London. constraints.

Contemporary Arts

The beginning of contemporary art stated during the

1970s. This extends through our present day.
Some of the contemporary art depicts artworks that are related to
skepticism, philosophical critiques and irony. Some are answers
to societal issues like feminist art and street art or known as the
graffiti-like art. Art in this period used to express thoughts and
opinions and purposely showed to the public. The wide use of the
World Wide Web is also dominant during contemporary art, they
are known as digital art. Wherein artists use the infusion of Painting ‘Masdibyo Aku Kapok !! (Menangkap Koruptor) ‘,
camera, art and technology to create different artworks. The
medium that they use are computers, audio, visual software and
pixels.
Mus
Pre-historic Period

The prehistoric period was the oldest known song traced back to 4,000 years ago. Man
during this time imitates the sounds around him by using their hands, voices and feet. Through
time, they created new rhythms and sound by using tools or beating sticks against rocks and trees.
They also learned that they can make sound by the use of their mouth through humming, whistles
and singing. When they began to repeat those tones and sound pattern. That is known as pattern
songs. When they created patterns songs, they also began to make special tools to make sounds, and
that’s what we call now instruments. One of the oldest instruments is the flute. Flute during
prehistoric periods were created from the hollow bone of a bear.

Medieval Period

The Medieval period was focused on Christianity, as a result of this, songs during this period
was about God and worship. Music was only made up of one melody line with no background music.
This is called Monophony. Monophonic songs are referred to as Gregorian chants, it is named after
Pope Gregory, the leader of the Christian Church during the medieval period. Polyphony was
created during the later stages of the medieval period. Polyphony is two melodic lines heard at the
same time and it is sung or played in harmony.

Renaissance Period

This is known as the period wherein the great change in music happened. During this
period, musicians are freer to create and show their individual style in creating music and arts.
Although, church music or sacred music was the most popular music at that time. Also during
Renaissance period, new instruments were introduced and became very popular, lute and
clavichord. When printing technology developed during this time, musicians were allowed to write
music and be it available to a large crowd.

Baroque Music

Baroque was use to describe a style that followed the renaissance in European music, it
means “strange” or “excessive”. During this time, music became more complex and difficult. The
music contains more than one melody than can be harmonized or clash with others. The most
popular instrument during the Baroque period was the recorders. Composers during this period
uses soft, loud, slow and fast tone to make the audience understand the story or feel the emotion.
Secular music began to be popular and they invented the orchestra and opera during this time.
Orchestra is the group or ensemble of musical instruments playing music together. Opera is a story
with drama representation that is set to music.
The most prominent musicians during this time were Vivaldi, the composer of four season concertos,
and J.S Bach, the maker of many of the present’s composing techniques.

Classical Period

This period in music lasted for 70 years; and during this time, there are many changes in
music. During the classical period, they applied strict rules in music composition and sounds were
restrained and balanced. Harmony became popular during this period, this is defined as music that
has one melody and background music. The father of the symphony and string quartets is Joseph
Haydn. He is also known as the most influential composer during this period.
The classical period introduces a lot of new instruments like the flute and clarinet. They also
added instruments to the orchestra and also new types of songs and musical compositions. The
most prominent composer during this period is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. He composed more
than 600 symphonies, concertos and others.

Romantic Period

This period reflected the social and political changes around the world. Musicians and
composers during this time experimented which their music and they showed their individual
creativity. The dominant feature of music during this period is Melody. They used melodies to
express nationalism, a show of loyalty to a group of people or to a country. During this period,
orchestra and opera were continually making a large influence in the society. They introduced a
new sound to the audience and virtuosos or people who are very skilled in performing became
popular. The most admired virtuosos are pianist, singer and violinist. The most controversial
virtuoso during this time is Franz List, a Hungarian composer who played piano very well. He
played piano with so much emotion, that many people believed that women in the audience would
faint while listening to him.
Ludwig Van Beethoven became known during this period and he is considered as one of the
greatest composers of all time. Pianoforte was invented during the Romantic Period

Modern Music

20th-century music is considered to be all about going against the tradition or rebellion. Mid
– 20th-century music style was Rock and Roll, Jazz and Country. It became popular around the
world. Recorded music became available in every style. This made the music available to everyone
and made music listening popular than ever. During the 20 th century, technology has played a vital
part in the evolution of music. Electric guitar and keyboard were introduced. The use of computers
became had a huge impact and influence on music styles now a day because it allows musicians and
composers to manipulate sounds.

References
Ferrer, M.C, et. Al (2019). Art Appreciation. Malabon City. Mutya Publishing House Inc.
Kleiner, Fred. (2016). Gardner’s Art through the Ages: A Global History, 15 th ed. Cengage Learning
Boston.
Ortiz, M.A., Erestain, T., Guillermo, A., Montano, M., Pilar, S. (1976). Western art.” Art: Perception
and Appreciation, University of the East and JMC Press, Inc. pp. 163 – 229