History of Drawing by Abigail Sorensen

By abigailsorensen
  • 30,000 BCE

    Pre- Historic

    People have been drawing since the beginning of human history. In fact, drawing provides some of our oldest accounts of our ancestors. The earliest known drawings date back to 30,000-10,000 BCE, and were found on cave walls.
  • 3000 BCE

    Ancient Egypt

    Early Egyptians also decorated the walls of their temples and tombs by carving scenes of daily life.
  • 3000 BCE

    Hieroglyphics

    Hieroglyphics and religious deities or gods would draw on walls as early as 3,000 BC
  • 2000 BCE

    Ancient Greece

    Even the Ancient Geeks have several lasting artifacts of their drawings. The vases and pottery that were drawn or painted on by Ancient Greek exhibit their graceful, decorative use of drawing.
  • 1400 BCE

    Middle Ages

    Though the Middle Ages, drawings were produced primarily to express religious messages and stories of the Bible.
  • 400 BCE

    Monks

    Monks would use drawing and painting to illustrate Bibles and prayer books for royal and wealthy families
  • 1400

    Renaissance

    Drawing began to take the form we recognize today during the Renaissance. In Italy, drawing became recognized as a respectable art form because of the rise of the use of paper.
  • 1400

    Chalk and Charcoal

    Chalk and Charcoal were being used increasingly by artists such as Michelangelo and da Vinci. These softer materials allowed for a greater variety of effects and textures.

  • Baroque Period

    During the 1600's and 1700's, the Baroque period introduced a new style of drawing that included livelier forms with flowing lines.

  • 1800's and 1900's

    Innovation defines the advancements in the art form of drawing during this period. Pencils were first manufactured early in the 1800's and quickly became the most preferred drawing tools.