Art History Timeline

Jan 1, 1150

Gothic Art (c.1150-1400) - Present Day

An art style which was developed which used mainly dark colours. Much of Gothic Art has a Christian image. It uses shading techniques to create a more realistic effect
Jan 1, 1300

The Early Renaissance (C.1300-1450)

The Early Renaissance style attempts to be very realistic. The The Early Renaissance style attempts to be very realistic. The word Renaissance means rebirth. It seems to use a mixture of dull and bright colours. It began in Italy and was popular in Europe. I also aimed to promote education.
Jan 1, 1400

High Renaissance 1400-1600

Renaissance art became popular in most parts of Europe. Many famous paintings were done during this time such as ‘The Mona Lisa’ and ‘The Creation of Adam’. This era focused on classical styles and using a linear perspective.
Jan 1, 1420

The Northern Renaissance (C.1420-1520)

Northern Renaissance art began in Europe but outside of Italy. It is mostly defined as fine art. During that time most art was linked to Gothic art as it had a big influence. Oil paint was used to create realistic portraits.
Jan 1, 1520

Mannerism (c.1520-1580)

A style of art that began in Europe during the Italian Renaissance era. It lasted 60 years but was replaced by the Baroque style of artwork. The subject of the artwork be seem to be posing, although it may not be clear why.
Jan 1, 1750

Neo-classicism [mid 1700’s]

As an aesthetic and artistic style neoclassicism originated in Rome in the mid 18th century, combining a reaction against the late baroque and rococo with a new interest in antiquity.
Jan 1, 1800

Romanticism [c.1800-1850]

An artistic movement which began in the 19th century, it opposed the style of Neo-classicism and antiquity. The artist focused more on the expressing the emotions and not focusing on accuracy.
Jan 1, 1840

Realism (c.1840-1870)

An artistic style that attempts to represent the subject truthfully and uses no styles that may distort the image or create an unrealistic effect.
Jan 1, 1870

Impressionism (c.1870-1900)

Impressionism was created in the 19th century by artists working in Paris, their independent exhibitions brought them to fame during that time. It aims to capture an emotion or experience rather than to achieve accuracy.
Jan 1, 1880

Symbolism (c.1880-1910)

An artistic movement which used imagery and symbolism to indirectly suggest a supernatural state, emotions or thoughts. Christian imagery was also used , perhaps as a subliminal message.
Jan 1, 1886

Post-Impressionism [c.1886-1905]

An artistic style of a varied group of late 19th century artists, they explored unnatural colours. The imagery in the artwork can be very unnatural such as Van Gogh’s “Scream’ painting.
Jan 1, 1904

Fauvism [c.1904-1908]

An artistic style that used bright and vibrant colours in an untraditional style. The colours used may not be representational of the colours of the subject. The subject may also be distorted slightly. Fauvism was influential in 20th century art.
Jan 1, 1905

Expressionism (c.1905-1925)

An artistic style that attempts to show the artists imagination. There are few actual objects created. The artists would exaggerate their own imagination to achieve the style in the artwork.
Jan 1, 1908

Cubism (c.1908-1920)

An artistic style where the artist would draw or paint the subject from different angles to distort the image somewhat but still be able to see what the subject is.
It was a very influential style in early 20th century Europe.
Jan 1, 1909

Futurism [c. 1909-present]

An artistic style that originated in Italy in the early 20th century. It attempted to focus on the modern, newer aspects of the world at that time. It expressed energy and the movement of modern life.
Jan 1, 1910

Abstract Art (c.1910-present)

An artistic style that uses shapes and a rage of vibrant colours to create a composition. It doesn’t usually have a subject and may only be representational, it may also have no purpose other than attempting to explore colour without being confined to drawing a subject.
Jan 1, 1920

Art Deco (c.1920-1935)

A style using geometric shapes and bold colours to create patterns or an image. The style was more common in architectural design rather than drawing subjects or landscapes.
Jan 1, 1920

Surrealism (c.1920s)

An art style which aimed to experiment outside of the normal boundaries of the art world. The imagery was unrealistic and had no sense of proportions but the shading was realistic. The landscape could also have nothing to do with the rest of the artwork.
Jan 1, 1945

Abstract-Expressionism [c.1945-present]

An art movement which originated from New York after World War Two. It had an emphasis on spontaneous painting and aimed to express emotion rather than recreating a subject or certain image.
Jan 1, 1960

Op Art [1960-present]

An artistic style that uses lines and spaces in such a way that it creates an optical illusion. Mostly black and white are usd as it appears to be most effective at creating the illusion.
Jan 1, 1988

Brit Art [1988-late 90’s]

Art created by a young group of British artist during the late 20th century. The artwork ranged from sculptures created outside the normality of art to simple yet effective photographs.
Jun 12, 2015

Pop Art (c.1956-1960s)

An art movement that began in the 1950’s and became very popular in Britain. Bright colours and sometimes onomatopoeic words to create effects. Sometimes opposite colours of the subject were used to create a bigger effect. The subject may also be replicated many times.