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4000 BCE
Carvings and Paintings on Cave Walls
The earliest drawings come from Pre-historic times, and they were found on the cave walls of Altamira and Lascaux. -
3000 BCE
Hieroglyphics of Ancient Egypt
The Ancient Egyptians carved drawings into their temple and tomb walls. These drawings depicted deities, daily life, and stories. -
800 BCE
Ancient Greek Decorations
The Ancient Greeks used drawings to decorate their vases and pottery. They depicted their deities, their myths, and their battles through a graceful style of art. -
400
Religious Paintings of the Middle Ages
The Middle Ages are known for their drawings with religious messages and undertones, and stories of the Bible. Since drawing was not seen as a finished product, most artwork from the Middle Ages is paintings and not drawings. -
1450
Paper Rises in Popularity during the Renaissance
Unlike the Middle Ages, drawing became a respected art form due to the invention of paper. Artists were trained in drawing before anything else, and drawings even became a tool for scientists to use. -
1490
Chalk and Charcoal During the Renaissance
Pen and ink were popular tools during the Renaissance, but the invention of chalk and charcoal allowed artists to create a variety of textures and effects. -
1580
Commissions of the Renaissance
Because art became more popular during the Renaissance, paying for art commissions rose in popularity. Artists began to draw portraits of other people. And to ensure their work was credited properly, they'd put their monograms on the portraits. -
The Soft Colors of the Baroque Period
The Baroque Period was also another period in time that popularized some art tools. Popular artists began to use watercolors and washes in their art, which created a softer look. -
The Counter-Reformation
The Baroque Period was also home to the Counter-Reformation, which was the Catholic Church's attempt to reverse the effects of the Protestant Reformation. Peter Paul Ruben—a leading artist in the Counter-Reformation movement—created the art technique of "open composition". -
The Invention of the Pencil
The invention of the pencil allowed artists Ingres and Goya to rise in popularity. They were innovative and created new art, such as capturing the movement of ballet dancers, horse races, and their dreams.