Art History Through the Ages

Study Notes

Neoclassicism
- Draws inspiration from Ancient Greek and Roman art, emphasizing harmony, simplicity, and proportion.
- Prominent in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, it aimed to revive classical ideals in response to the excesses of Baroque and Rococo styles.
Rococo
- Known for its elaborate and ornate design, featuring shell-covered rock work.
- Flourished in the early 18th century, particularly in France, characterized by asymmetry, light colors, and playful themes.
Realism
- Focuses on depicting everyday life and ordinary people, often with gritty and unidealized portrayals.
- Emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against Romanticism, emphasizing accuracy and social commentary.
Cubism
- Associated with the use of fragmented forms and multiple viewpoints, breaking subjects into geometric shapes.
- Developed in the early 20th century by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, it revolutionized perspective in art.
Romanticism
- Emphasizes emotions and subjective experiences, often celebrating nature, individualism, and intense feelings.
- Gained prominence in the late 18th and early 19th centuries as a counter-movement to Enlightenment rationalism and Industrial Revolution influence.