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Period: 20,000 BCE to 8000 BCE
Prehistoric Art
This period of time was characterized largely by cave art. Examples of cave art can be seen in the sites of Lascaux and Chauvet in France, Ubirr in Australia, as well as Apollo 11 and the Wonderwerk caves of Africa. -
17,000 BCE
Lascaux Cave
Home to close to 600 paintings grouped into three categories: animals, human, and abstract. -
9000 BCE
Neolithic Age
This was the last phase of the stone age which introduced farming and the domestication of animals. Before this, humans were characterized as nomadic. They were hunters and gatherers. The Neolithic Age paved the way for the formation of societies and the art that came with these societies.. -
5000 BCE
Predynastic Period of Ancient Egypt
This period was marked by the settling of nomads along the Nile River Valley. During this period, artifacts such as ceramics, figurines, mace heads, and iconic Pharaonic imagery springs up. -
Period: 3200 BCE to 1100 BCE
Ancient Greece in the Bronze Age
Several cultures flourished across the islands and mainland of ancient Greece. These cultures were mainly farming cultures, however, at this time, trade was beginning to grow.
During the later part of the Bronze Age, Mycenaean culture began to flourish. This Mycenaean period was the "age of heroes" and is where many of the myths and legends such as Homer's epics would arise from. -
3100 BCE
Dynastic/Pharaonic Period of Egypt
This was a period beginning in 3100 BCE in which Egypt was unified under a single ruler, the pharaoh. Ancient Egyptian society will last for about 3,000 years.
Photo depicts Narmer's Palette, depicting Pharaoh Narmer's rise to power. -
Period: 2700 BCE to 2200 BCE
Ancient Egypt: Old Kingdom
This was a period of dyamism of culture. During this period, Egypt created some of its greatest features- the pyramids. Within the pyramids was housed a bounty of art and culture. Within the tombs of pharaohs and other important members of Egyptian society could be found figurines, pottery, paintings, and more, all for the comfort of the dead in the afterlife. -
2575 BCE
An Example of Old Kingdom Artwork
"The Royal Acquaintances Memi and Sabu"
Medium: Limestone, paint
Found in the Western Cemetery of Giza -
Period: 2100 BCE to 1650 BCE
Ancient Egypt: Middle Kingdom
Now considered the classic period, this was the height of Eqyptian art, literature, culture, and language. This was a period of innovation and reimagination. -
2000 BCE
An Example of Middle Kingdom Art (A block statue)
Block statues consisted of a man sitting with knees brought to his chest and his arms folded atop his knees. This sitting position would reduce the body of the figure to a block-like shape. These were popular throughout the period of the Middle Kingdom. -
Period: 1650 BCE to 330 BCE
Ancient Egypt: New Kingdom
This was a period of political stability and economic prosperity. It was also known for its monumental architecture and statuary honoring the gods and pharaohs. -
1550 BCE
Mycenaen Art: Mask of Agamemnon
Medium: Gold
A funeral mask found in Mycenae -
1345 BCE
Nefertiti Bust
Created by the artist Thutmose
Medium: Limestone, stucco, paint
Represents the apex of the Armana Period art
Though little is known about Nefertiti, this bust made her one of the most iconic images of ancient Egypt -
1340 BCE
An Example of New Kingdom Art
"Two Princesses"
Medium: Limestone, paint
Portraying two of Akhenaten's daughters -
700 BCE
Greek Architectural Order: Doric Order
This was the earliest of the three orders of ancient Greek architecture. Doric architecture is characterized by plain, unadorned columns. The columns were stocky and fluted. -
680 BCE
Greek pottery: Terracotta stamnos
Medium: Terracotta
Black-figure painting -
650 BCE
Greek Architectural Order: Ionic Order
This architectural style was characterized by graceful proportions, slender and elegant profile, and feminine proportions. Its frieze is composed of continuous sculpture relief, which varies from the Doric frieze of metopes and triglyphs. -
600 BCE
The Archaic Period of Ancient Greece: Kouros
A Kouros is a statue of a male youth produced from marble during the Archaic period. They are formed with a conventional pose where the head and body can be divided into equal parts by a central line. The weight of the sculpture is placed equally between its front and back. -
520 BCE
Terracotta Plate
Medium: terracotta
Red-figure art -
480 BCE
Fallen Warrior from Temple Aphaia
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460 BCE
The Diskolobos
Portrayal of human idealism -
427 BCE
Greek Architectural Order: Corinthian Order
This was the most elaborate of the three orders of ancient Greek architecture. It is characterized by slender proportions and elaborate, ornate sculpting of its capital. -
180 BCE
Laocoon and His Sons
An ideal of Greek art
A paradox of beauty despite its depiction of death -
Period: 500 to 1500
The Middle (Dark) Ages
The Middle Ages was typically referred to as the period between the end of antiquity and the rebirth of classical learning during the Renaissance. It was viewed as "dark" because of the loss of classical learning. However, it was in fact a time in which Christianity flourished in Europe. The arts thrived during this time and the period gave way to the rise of universities and the institution of law, as well as the birth of a new industry- tourism. -
600
Humans in Art in the Middle Ages: A Conundrum
Because of the illusionary quality of classical art and the dictation of of the Ten Commandments in which God forbade the Israelites from creating any graven image, any likeliness of any thing in heaven, or that is in earth below, or that is in the water beneath the earth. Thusly, early Christians were faced with a problem. Because of this, many artists chose to represent the human form as a flat figure, pushing towards abstraction. -
715
St. Luke's Gospel
Possibly created by Bishop Eadfrith of Lindisfarne
An example of an illuminated manuscript, or a medieval book with artistic decoration. -
1093
Architecture in the Middle Ages: Durham Cathedral
The architecture of churches was an incredibly important facet of the Middle Ages. Christian models of basilicas added many new features to the traditional Roman structures, such as the ambo and, most significantly, the altar. -
1093
Romanesque Architecture: Maria Laach Abbey
Characterized by thick walls, small windows, round arches, columns, and small stature. -
1211
Gothic Architecture: Reims Cathedral
Characterized by immense height, large arches, flying buttresses, stained glass, spikes, vast open spaces, and large windows. This style of architecture was very ornate -
1290
Madonna and Child
Created by Duccio di Buoninsegna
Medium: Tempera and gold on wood
Christian art reigned supreme in the Middle Ages -
1338
The Effects of Good Government
Created by Ambrogio Lorenzetti -
Period: 1400 to
The Renaissance
This was essentially seen as the rebirth of classical learning. This was triggered by several major factors such as the end of the Bubonic plague, the decline of feudalism, and the rise of such inventions as the printing press. More people were exposed to literature and he class system was in a state of upheaval. The Renaissance was also the celebration of humanism. -
1420
The Crucifixion
Created by Fra Angelico
Medium: Tempera on wood -
1487
The Vitruvian Man
By Leonardo da Vinci
Often called the Canon of Proportins, highlighting the ideal proportions of man -
1498
The Last Supper
By Leonardo da Vinci
The Last Supper is a scene that was commonly depicted throughout the Renaissance. Da Vinci uses balance and shape (via equilateral triangle) to anchor the piece. there is a heavenly sanctuary behind the apostles that can only be reached through Christ. It is very human in the reactions of the disciples, each has a very emotional expression upon their face- horror, grief, love,anguish- at the thought of betraying Jesus. -
1503
Mona Lisa
By Leonardo da Vinci
Medium: oil on panel
The most famous portrait. A woman with a mysterious smile that has inspired many other works. -
1504
David
By Michelangelo
Apex of human perfection
A massive sculpture which Michelangelo spent several years perfecting -
1506
Renaissance Architecture: St. Peter's Basilica
Places emphasis upon symmetry, proportions, geometry, and regularity of parts. Domes- rarely used in the Middle Ages- became and indispensable facet of architecture after the success of St. Peter's Basilica. -
1508
The Creation of Adam
By Michelangelo -
1518
Woodcut: Emperor Maximilian on Horseback
By Hans Burgkmair
One type of printing which allowed artists to sell their work, circulate their images, and spread their messages -
1536
The Last Judgment
by Michelangelo
A depiction of the second coming of Christ, painted on the wall of the Sistine Chapel. -
1545
Perseus with the Head of Medusa
By Benvenuto Cellini
Cast in bronze
Influenced by Michelangelo
Took ten years to complete -
The Calling of St. Matthew
By Caravaggio
A prime example of Italian Baroque artistry. There is drama in its darkness. it is dynamic in that it portrays movement in the piece, diagonal in the way that the light falls through the window, and didactic in its message- following Christ. -
Period: to
Italian Baroque
Following the Protestant Reformation and the religious upheaval that plagued Europe, Italy and Spain were the predominant countries to remain Catholic. The Council of Trent was conceded and they put out guidelines for what rt should be. 1.) It should have moral instruction. 2.) It should be pleasing to the eye. 3.) It had to fit the decorum- and clothing became non-optional. Baroque art was characterized by dynamism, diagonal features, didactic messages, and drama. -
Etchings: The Three Crosses
Another style of printing technique -
Roccoco Period: The Swing
By Jean-Honoré Fragonard
The Roccoco period was characterized by frivolity and a lack of intellectualism. It was a period that swept through France at about the same time as the Baroque period. It was wealthy, and portrayed through pastels, lightness, and playfulness. -
Period: to
Enlightenment
This was a time period in which art and science merged. This period was characterized by the belief in progress and the power of reason. -
Period: to
Romanticism
The period placed emphasis upon emotion and intuition- and placed these on equal footing with reason. It was characterized by the belief in the importance of the individual, the personal, and the subjective. It aimed at persuasion and intended to evoke emotion. It led to the birth of political art. -
Romantic Art: The third of May, 1808
By Francisco Goya
Aimed to highlight the horrors and tragic occurrences that marked Spain on May 3, 1808. This piece transformed Christian iconography and stated new conventions with its depiction of warfare. It is an incredibly emotionally-charging piece. -
Early Photography: Camera Obscura
View from the Window at Gras
By Joseph Nicéphore Niépce
The principle of a camera had been known in antiquity, however, the chemistry needed to register an image was not available until the nineteenth century.
Early artist used the camera obscura, or a box with a small hole through which light would pass.
Basic photography was born at the installment of a light-sensitive surface. -
Photography: Daguerreotype
Paris Boulevard
By Louis Daguerre
A daguerreotype was a photographic technique in which a copper plate coated in silver and sensitized with iodine is exposed to light in a camera and then developed over a pan of heated vaporized mercury. The image could then be made permanent using salt. This technique dramatically decreased exposure time for an image and created a lasting image that would not dim with further exposure to light. -
Realism: The Stonebreakers
By Gustave Courbet
Realism was a movement following the urbanization of countries such as France. Artists wanted a new movement for the modern day. They wanted to portray the world around them and their perspective on it. Thusly, they began a movement that aimed to represent life as it is. -
Realism: the Railway
By Edouard Manet
Medium: Oil on canvas
Realism was also a movement about politics- much like Romanticism. Artists wanted to raw attention to the world around them- both the good and the bad. -
Impressionism: Woman with a Parasol
By Claude Monet
The Impressionists were a group of painters who could not afford to wait for their works to be admitted by France into the Salon. They set up their own exhibition of their works. Many critics argued that the work wasn't finished- it was merely "impressions." -
Impressionist: Mary Cassatt
Little Girl in a Blue Armchair
Medium: Oil on canvas
A true citizen of the world
Birth-Death: May 22, 1844- June 14, 1926 -
Impressionist: Vincent Van Gogh
Starry Night
Medium: oil on canvas
Birth-Death: March 30, 1853- July 29, 1890 -
Impressionist: Paul Cézanne
Still Life, pitcher and fruit
Medium: Oil on canvas
Birth-Death: January 19, 1839- October 22, 1906
Considered to be the father of modern art -
Pablo Picasso
Self-Portrait, 1907
Medium: oil on canvas
Birth-Death: October 25, 1881- April 8, 1973
Abstraction and inspiration by Degas
Inventor of cubism -
Cubism
The Portuguese
By Georges Braque
Medium: oil on canvas
Invented by Pablo Picasso
Cubism was inspired by African art, which Pablo Picasso was exposed to in 1907. Cubist painters rejected the thought that they should copy nature. Instead, they aimed to emphasize the two-dimensional aspect of paper. Thusly, they reduced forms to simple geometric shapes. they used multiple vantage points and shadow. -
Surrealism: The Persistence of Memory
By Salvador Dali
Surrealism was a movement that intended to capture psychic freedom. It is the re-imagining of the world around us and the freedom of the artist to shape it however he sees fit. -
Surrealist: Salvador Dali
Metamorphosis of Narcissus
Birth-Death: May 11, 1904- January 23, 1989
