THE MAJOR PERIODS IN THE HISTORY OF WESTERN ARTS

The origins of art history can be traced back tens of thousands of years to when ancient civilizations used available techniques, materials, and media to show significant and foundational moments of cultural importance. Since these early examples, a plethora of art movements have followed, each bearing their distinct styles and characteristics that reflect the political and social influences of the period from which they emerged. Whether you’re an aspiring collector or simply appreciate the work of history’s great artists, studying the major movements of the Western art history timeline is a worthwhile place to start. And this blog post is where you need to be.

Western Art History Periods and Their Timelines

1. Prehistoric Art (40,000 – 4,000 B.C.)

The very first traces of art were found all the way back in the Old Stone Age or the Paleolithic Era before written records were even kept. They were mostly in the form of wall engravings, rock carvings, sculptures, pictorial representations, or stone arrangements. During this period, art relied mostly on natural pigments and rock/stone carvings to create images or representations of animals, objects, or rituals that were of significance in that era.

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

Advanced civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Greece, Egypt, and The Americas grew in their depiction of art. In these times, the advanced civilizations were those with an established written language.

The art in this period was used mostly to tell stories, for decorating ornaments like bowls and cups, or to display religious or cultural representations of gods, goddesses, or rulers.

3. Medieval Art (A.D. 500 – A.D. 1400)

The Middle Ages marked the fall of the Roman Empire and is popularly referred to as the Dark Ages since most of the art during this period depicted brutal and sad imagery from this period.

The art in this time was also dominated by representations of The Church. Decorated churches whose windows showed stories and scenes from the Bible and classical mythology like The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

4. Renaissance Art (1400 – 1600)

The ideals which characterized the art style, paintings, and sculptures were the view on nature and man’s individualism. Ideals such as these blossomed during this period, even though they were evident in the Medieval Ages.

Italy was the pinnacle of Renaissance art and bore influential artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, and Da Vinci.

5. Mannerism (1527 – 1580)

The ideals of Michelangelo, Raphael, and other late renaissance artists gave birth to mannerism art. The difference was that the art style and technique greatly outweighed the subject of the art itself. Elongated limbs, small heads, and graceful postures were the features of the art during this period.

6. Baroque (1600 – 1750)

These artworks were characterized by drama and subjects depicting human intellect and complexity.

Rococo (1699 – 1780)

Originating in France, this aesthetic art style is a mold of decorative art, paintings, and sculptures. It makes use of lighter and subtle colors.

7. Neoclassicism (1750 – 1850)

Just as the name implies, neoclassical art was based upon the classical era. The discovery of the ancient ruins of Athens and Naples sparked a fire for artists during this period. They had a love for all things past.

8. Romanticism (1780 – 1850)

This style encompassed a range of disciplines from painting to music to literature and was greatly appreciated in the times of classical art and neoclassicism.

Realism (1848 – 1900)

Realism, which could arguably be said to be the first form of modern art, originated in France. The rise of multiple events led artists to capture everyday life in still form and life-like representations.

9. Art Nouveau (1890 – 1910)

This is translated to mean “New Art”. And it was birthed to be a unique art style devoid of any imitations of the styles that came before it. Its focus is on the natural world and is characterized by curves and long lines.

10. Impressionism (1865 – 1885)

This particular art style was made to capture and depict an immediate impression or moment in time. The paintings usually looked rushed and unfinished.

11. Post-impressionism (1885 – 1910)

These painters had similar ideals to the impressionist painters and made use of abstract forms to visualize subjective meanings. They worked independently.

12. Fauvism (1900 – 1935)

Fauvism was a style that made use of expressive and bright colors with bold designs and brushwork.

13. Expressionism (1905 – 1920)

Artists using expressionist art drew out their raw emotions and feelings onto the canvas.

Cubism (1907 – 1914)

Here, art is not based on the traditional form of nature but is instead based on abstract forms and is usually expressed in cubes and two-dimensional surfaces.

14. Surrealism (1916 – 1950)

These works of art were defined by their unreasonable and strange nature.

15. Pop Art (1950s – 1960s)

This style became one of the most popular and recognizable art styles in the modern 20th century. It was characterized by identifiable imagery.

16. Minimalism (the 1960s – 1970s)

This was founded in New York by younger artists who focused on anonymity rather than the materiality of works.

17. Conceptual Art (the 1960s – 1970s)

This art style deviated from the norm and instead was used as a form of art style to depict poetic works.

18. Contemporary Art (the 1970s – Date)

The 1970s was the beginning of modern contemporary art and also the mother of various art styles that emerged as time went on. Styles such as appropriation art, street art, digital art, and many more.