Art Appreciation: Prehistoric Art Timeline

Prehistoric Art

• Originates from the Paleolithic era, also known as the Old Stone Age, around 4,000 B.C.
• Features rock carvings, engravings, pictorial imagery, sculptures, and stone arrangements.
• Utilized natural pigments and stone to depict objects, animals, and rituals vital to early civilizations.
• Lascaux cave paintings in France are renowned examples of Paleolithic artistic expression.

Ancient Art

• Spans from 4,000 B.C. to A.D. 400, produced by advanced civilizations with established written languages.
• Major civilizations include Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and pre-Columbian Americas.
• Artworks reflect cultural, religious, and social aspects of these societies through diverse media.

Medieval Art

• Timeframe is from 500 A.D. to 1400, often referred to as the "Dark Ages."
• Early medieval artworks feature grotesque imagery and brutal themes.
• Art primarily focused on religious subjects, with significant contributions from the Church.
• The latter part of the period saw the emergence of more sophisticated church artworks, including stained glass windows and biblical imagery.

Renaissance Art

• Occurred from 1400 to 1600, peaking in Florence, Italy, thanks to the support of the Medici family.
• Marked by a revival of humanism, emphasizing human experience and classical themes.
• Notable artists include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, who expanded artistic techniques and expression.

Neoclassicism

• Lasted from 1750 to 1850, characterized by a revival of classical antiquity elements.
• Archaeological discoveries in Athens and Naples fueled interest in ancient cultures and inspiration for new works.
• Artists sought to express classical ideals like harmony, simplicity, and proportion in their creations.

Romanticism

• Spanning from 1780 to 1850, this movement transcended multiple disciplines, including painting, music, and literature.
• Emphasized individual emotion and imagination, opposing the order and rationality of Neoclassicism.
• The movement embodies a spectrum of themes, prioritizing expressive and often dramatic representation.

Romanticism

• Emphasized individualism and the power of imagination in artistic expression.
• Highlighted an appreciation for nature, prompting plein air painting, which moved artists outdoors for a direct connection with their surroundings.
• Focused on passion, emotion, and sensation, prioritizing these elements over intellect and reason.

Realism (1848-1900)

• Considered the first modern art movement, originating in France during the 1840s.
• Motivated by various factors including the anti-Romantic movement in Germany, the growth of journalism, and advancements in photography.
• Aimed for accurate depictions of everyday life, showcased through detailed and lifelike representations.

Pop Art (1950s-1960s)

• Emerged as one of the most influential artistic movements of the 20th century.
• Departed from the Abstract Expressionism style, utilizing commonplace objects to create art that critiqued consumer culture and mass media.
• Marked a notable shift towards identifiable imagery, contrasting modernist trends.

Minimalism (1960s-1970s)

• Centered on anonymity, directing attention to the art's materiality and purity.
• Encouraged viewers to engage with the physical presence of the artwork rather than associating it with external realities or emotions.
• Characterized by use of simplified forms, order, and harmony.

Contemporary Art (1970-Present)

• Postmodernism: Artists reacted against modernism by integrating skepticism, irony, and philosophical critique into their works.
• Feminist Art: Aimed to challenge and transform stereotypes, striving to alter the male-dominated narrative in art history.
• Neo Expressionism: Artists resurrected expressive elements of earlier movements to produce textured, impactful, large-scale artworks.
• Street Art: Notable artists like Keith Haring, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Banksy utilized public spaces to create graffiti-style art, bringing art to the community.
• Digital Art: Emerged with the rise of technology, blending traditional art forms with computers, audio-visual software, and pixel manipulation.

Three Uses of Art

• Art as creativity: A means of expressing original thoughts and ideas.
• Art as expression: Conveying feelings, emotions, and perspectives.
• Art as a product of imagination: Manifesting from the artist's vision and conceptualization.

Prehistoric Art (4,000 B.C.)

• Originated during the Paleolithic era, known as the Old Stone Age.
• Artifacts include rock carvings, engravings, pictorial imagery, sculptures, and stone arrangements.
• Utilized natural pigments in artwork to depict objects, animals, and rituals central to prehistoric civilization.
• Notable example: Cave paintings in Lascaux, France.

Ancient Art (4,000 B.C. - A.D. 400)

• Created by advanced civilizations with established written languages.
• Key civilizations include Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and various indigenous cultures of the Americas.

Medieval Art (500 A.D. - 1400)

• Known as the Middle Ages, often labeled "Dark Ages" due to the prevalence of grotesque imagery and brutal themes.
• Artwork primarily centered around the Church, reflecting religious themes and iconography.
• As the millennium waned, churches became more elaborate, featuring biblical narratives and classical mythology in stained glass and carvings.

Renaissance Art (1400 - 1600)

• Flourished in Florence, Italy, largely supported by the Medici family, who championed the arts and humanist philosophy.
• Prominent figures include Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael Urbino.
• Marked by a revival of classical themes and humanist ideals, emphasizing realism and the human experience.

Neoclassicism (1750 - 1850)

• Drew inspiration from classical antiquity and archaeological discoveries in Athens and Naples.
• Artists aimed to recreate the aesthetics of ancient art, focusing on harmony, simplicity, and proportion.

Romanticism (1780 - 1850)

• Represented a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines, including painting, music, and literature.
• Reacted against the structured order and rationality of classical art and Neoclassicism.
• Emphasized emotion, individualism, and the sublime in artistic expression.