Index

Evolution of Art

By hippi3
  • Period: 330 to Nov 23, 1450

    Byzantine

  • Nov 23, 1122

    Comnenus Mosaics (1122) [Byzantine]

    Comnenus Mosaics (1122) [Byzantine]
    Typical Byzantine Art featured rigid iconic figures against gold backgrounds. A common location of Byzantinian frencos and mosaics werein churches. This piece does appear to have been created during this time period because it features the religious figure (Virgin Mary & Child) between the prominent figures of Emperor John II Comnenus & Empress Irene Ducas. It also follows the gold background trait of Byzantianian art, as well as its mosaic style.
  • Period: Nov 23, 1440 to

    Renaissance

  • Nov 23, 1505

    Lady with a Unicorn (1505) [Renaissance]

    Lady with a Unicorn (1505) [Renaissance]
    Painted by Raphael, one of great artists of the Renaissance period, this painting shows all the characteristics of Renaissance Art: the subject's background is a realistic representation of a natural scene, the subject is a regular woman rather than a religious figure (as seen during the medieval times), and is represented proportionately and accurately (with light, shadows, and shading). I found it quite ironic that a realistic portrayal of a person included a fairytale creature.
  • Period: to

    Baroque

  • Period: to

    Rococo

  • Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) [Rococo]

    Portrait of Madame de Pompadour (1756) [Rococo]
    Patrons of the Rococo art movement were the wealthy and influential middle-class, so pieces were typically decorative and elegant. The artist, Francois Boucher, captured Louis XV's mistress in a beautiful, elaborate dress against an even more elaborate background, reflecting the French aristocratic lifestyle. A non-religious subject and calm movement contrasts with the characteristics of Baroque. I like how there is a mirror in the background, showing the detailing of his subject's hairstyle.
  • Period: to

    Romanticism

  • Evening: Sunset behind Dresden's Hofkirche (c. 1824) [Romanticism]

    Evening: Sunset behind Dresden's Hofkirche (c. 1824) [Romanticism]
    Romantics painted beautiful candid settings of nature, with vibrant colors. They expressed nostalgic emotions instead of reason. This painting by Caspar David Friedrich shows the natural, harmonious blending of the sky & provokes awe and melacholic thought; the viewer will miss the way the sky looked before the dark arrived. I like how the silhouettes aren't stark black, but a result of the setting sun.
  • Period: to

    Realism

  • Period: to

    Impressionism

  • The Cliff at Etretat after the Storm (1870) [Realism]

    The Cliff at Etretat after the Storm (1870) [Realism]
    Realism artists, such as Gustave Courbet, shied away from dramatic scenes and colors, and favored the everyday scenes and events as they looked. This painting does not visually emphasize any of its elements but showcases each part equally. It seems like a usual, undisturbed setting. Because the artist wanted to portray a scene as natural as possible, I appreciate all of the detailing he invested into it.
  • Period: to

    Moderism

  • Potato Harvest (1893) [Impressionism]

    Potato Harvest (1893) [Impressionism]
    Camille Pissarro, an Impressionist, allowed changes of time and light to shape the appearance of their subject. The result of this technique is a fleeting glimpse of the perceived impression of the object. Impressionist art is also characterized by how the paint was applied, in small touches. I like how this painting shows undefined faces harvesting blurred crops, but portrays what image a glimpse sees. It emphasizes the bigger pictures, not the small details.

  • Les escarpins mauves (1921) [Modernism]

    Les escarpins mauves (1921) [Modernism]
    Modern art paved the way for a variety of other movements and styles that differed from the traditional principles of the Renaissance up until that era. In this example, by Kees van Dongen, proportions seem right (Renaissance), has seemingly random brushstrokes (expressionism), and a semi-defined face doesn't show the entire painting belongs to one past genre.
    I also thought it reminded me of "art deco"; the date it was painted justifies the "flapper" look to it.
  • Period: to

    Pop Art

  • Coca-Cola (2005) [Contemporary]

    Coca-Cola (2005) [Contemporary]
    Contemporary art focuses on using everyday objects to present an idea, instead of the creation seen as an object reflecting life. By incorporating Coca-Cola ads to Maoist propaganda, Wang Guangyi makes the viewer question how they are connected. I like how the artist took a globally recognized brand and merged it with the political movement of an individual country, suggesting some parallels.