History of Visual Art

Introduction

• First piece of visual art: 40,000 years ago by Neanderthals
• Art as an innate human need, like eating or seeking protection
• Common misconceptions: art is only for the elite or experts
• Art stirs emotions and is for everyone

Prehistoric Art

• Cave paintings and rock engravings as early methods of communication
• Art depicting survival themes like hunting
• Venus of Willendorf: Small sculpture, possible fertility goddess, symbolic representation showing abstract thought

Ancient Art

• Advanced civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Persia, China, and Rome
• Art as a means to enforce religious and political ideologies
• Famous Artwork: Code of Hammurabi, features laws and a depiction of King Hammurabi and the god Shabash
• Considered foundational to art history

Medieval Art

• Post-Roman Empire to the Renaissance (approx. 1000 years)
• Focus on religious messages, not realism
• Use of gold and jewels to attract people to the church

Renaissance

• Period of enlightenment from 14th to 17th century in Italy
• Inspiration from Ancient Rome and Greece
• Emphasis on art, music, theatre, and religion
• Invention of the printing press increased literacy rates, supporting cultural growth

Baroque

• Followed the Renaissance
• Extravagance and emotional expression
• Artists: Caravaggio, with dramatic light & shadow; Gian Lorenzo Bernini, known for intricate marble sculptures
• Architecture included ornate designs, columns, and dome-like ceilings

Rococo

• 18th century France and Europe
• Playful, utopian art with fluid asymmetrical forms
• Pastel colors and whimsical narratives
• Derived from the French word Rocaille, a method of decorating with pebbles and seashells

Neoclassicism

• Renewal in simplicity, principles, and subject matter from Ancient Rome and Greece
• Distinguished by classic subjects, minimal use of color, symmetry, and clear forms

Romanticism

• Reaction to Neoclassicism
• Focus on individual imagination and the natural world
• Exploration of spirituality, freedom, and expression

Realism

• Anti-institutional art movement post-French Revolution of 1848
• Focus on depicting real people and everyday life
• Overlooked social groups highlighted

Impressionism

• French artists breaking academic traditions, painting outside (en-Plein-air)
• Founders: Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas
• Visible brushstrokes, little blending, capturing light and movement

Post-Impressionism

• Continuation of Impressionism but with focus on subjective vision
• Artists: Paul Cézanne, Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin, Georges Seurat
• Highlighted individual styles like Neo-Impressionism, Pointillism

Expressionism

• European movement showing the world subjectively
• Use of vivid, lurid colors, and distorted forms

Art Nouveau

• Variants: Vienna Secession, Modernisme, Art Nouveau
• Sinuous lines inspired by nature, seen in paintings and posters

Cubism

• Founded by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque
• Breaks down traditional perspectives
• Suggested 3D forms through 2D depictions

Futurism

• Launched by Filippo Tommaso Marinetti
• Emphasis on technology, dynamism, and the future
• Rejection of past traditional art forms

Dada

• Post WWI anti-war and anti-establishment movement
• Satirical and rejection of traditional artistic values

Surrealism

• Led by Andre Breton, influenced by Sigmund Freud
• Exploration of subconscious, often through Automatism
• Juxtaposition of unrealistic subjects with realistic styles

Bauhaus

• Founded by Walter Gropius in 1919 Germany
• Focus on art in everyday life
• Abstract styles and geometric shapes

Abstract Expressionism

• Post WWII American movement
• Action painters (e.g., Jackson Pollock), Color field painters (e.g., Mark Rothko)

Pop Art

• 1950s revolt against traditional art in Britain and America
• Inspiration from mass media, Hollywood, and product packaging
• Bold imagery and bright colors

Minimalism

• US-based extreme abstract art from the 1960s
• Use of factory-made objects, geometric shapes, no outside influence

Contemporary Art

• Known as "the art of today"
• Often idea-based rather than aesthetic
• Issues reflect society's identity, community, and nationality

Conclusion

• Art is a reflection and influence on society
• It's important to recognize the contributions of overlooked cultures and individuals
• Visual art helps us understand our past and make informed decisions for the future