Subjects

AP Art History

Overview

Cool Study Notes on Art Periods: Renaissance to American Art

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Cool Study Notes on Art Periods: Renaissance to American Art

Tiya

@tiya_2006

67 Followers

This comprehensive guide explores major art periods and movements throughout history, providing an art periods timeline and detailed insights into various art periods and styles. It serves as an invaluable resource for students studying art history, offering a chronological overview from prehistoric times to the early 20th century.

Covers key artistic developments from Stone Age to Surrealism
Highlights characteristics, major artists, and significant works for each period
Contextualizes art movements within important historical events
Includes information on European, Middle Eastern, and American art traditions

8/15/2023

146

Art
Periods/Movements
Stone Age (30,000
BCE-2500 BCE)
Mesopotamian (3500
BCE-539 BCE)
Egyptian (3100 BCE-30
BCE)
Greek and Hellenistic
(850

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Stone Age to Hellenistic Art

The earliest art periods emerged during prehistoric times, with the Stone Age marking the beginning of human artistic expression. This period, spanning from 30,000 BCE to 2500 BCE, was characterized by cave paintings, fertility goddesses, and megalithic structures.

Example: The Lascaux Cave Paintings and the Woman of Willendorf figurine are iconic works from this era.

Following the Stone Age, Mesopotamian art flourished from 3500 BCE to 539 BCE, focusing on warrior art and stone relief narration. The Egyptian art period (3100 BCE - 30 BCE) was notable for its emphasis on the afterlife, as evidenced by the construction of pyramids and elaborate tomb paintings.

Highlight: The Great Pyramids and the Bust of Nefertiti are among the most recognizable works of Egyptian art.

Greek and Hellenistic art (850 BCE - 31 BCE) introduced the concept of idealism in art, characterized by balance and perfect proportions. This period also saw the development of the three classical architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

Vocabulary: Hellenistic art refers to the art of the Greek world from Alexander the Great's death to the rise of the Roman Empire.

The historical context of these early art periods includes significant events such as the end of the Ice Age, the invention of writing by the Sumerians, and the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

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Roman to Early Renaissance Art

The Roman art period (500 BCE - CE 476) was characterized by realism and practicality, with the arch being a significant architectural innovation. This era saw the creation of iconic structures like the Colosseum and the Pantheon.

Definition: Roman realism refers to the down-to-earth, practical approach to art that focused on accurately depicting the world as it appeared.

The fall of Rome in 476 CE marked the beginning of the Byzantine and Islamic art period (CE 476 - 1453). Byzantine art was known for its heavenly mosaics, while Islamic art featured intricate, maze-like designs in architecture.

The Middle Ages (500 - 1400) encompassed several distinct art movements, including Celtic art, the Carolingian Renaissance, Romanesque, and Gothic styles. Notable works from this period include the Durham Cathedral and Notre Dame.

Example: The Chartres Cathedral is a prime example of Gothic architecture, known for its pointed arches and ribbed vaults.

The Early and High Renaissance (1400 - 1550) marked a rebirth of classical culture in art. This period saw the emergence of legendary artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

Quote: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." - Leonardo da Vinci

Historical events during these periods included the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the birth of Islam, the Viking raids, and the invention of movable type by Gutenberg.

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Renaissance to Realism

The Venetian and Northern Renaissance (1430 - 1550) saw the spread of Renaissance ideals to Northern Europe, with artists like Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Dürer making significant contributions.

Mannerism (1527 - 1580) emerged as a reaction to the idealized perfection of the High Renaissance, characterized by elongated figures and artificial poses.

Vocabulary: Mannerism is an art style that deliberately broke the rules of classical proportion and harmony.

The Baroque period (1600 - 1750) was marked by dramatic, emotional, and ornate art, often used as a tool in religious wars. Notable artists include Rubens, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio.

Neoclassicism (1750 - 1850) sought to recapture the grace and grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman art. This period coincided with the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.

Romanticism (1780 - 1850) emphasized imagination, emotion, and individualism in art. Key figures include Caspar David Friedrich and J.M.W. Turner.

Highlight: The Romantic movement was partly a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution.

The Realism movement (1848 - 1910) focused on depicting the working class and peasants, often through en plein air painting. This period also saw the rise of the Hudson River School in America and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in England.

Example: The Ashcan School, an American art movement, realistically portrayed daily life in New York City's poorer neighborhoods.

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Impressionism to Surrealism

Impressionism (1869 - 1885) revolutionized painting by focusing on capturing the fleeting effects of natural light. Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and Mary Cassatt were key figures in this movement.

Definition: Impressionism is characterized by small, thin brush strokes, emphasis on accurate depiction of light, ordinary subject matter, and unusual visual angles.

Post-Impressionism (1886 - 1892) emerged as a reaction to Impressionism, with artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne pushing beyond the limitations of Impressionist style.

Fauvism and Expressionism (1905 - 1939) were characterized by the use of harsh colors and distorted forms to convey emotion. Henri Matisse was a leading figure in Fauvism, while Edvard Munch exemplified Expressionism.

The early 20th century saw a proliferation of avant-garde art movements, including Cubism, Futurism, and De Stijl. These movements sought new forms to express the realities of modern life.

Example: Pablo Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is considered a groundbreaking work of Cubism.

Dada and Surrealism (1917 - 1950) challenged conventional notions of art. Dada was an anti-art movement, while Surrealism explored the unconscious mind and dreams.

Quote: "I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality." - Frida Kahlo, a prominent Surrealist artist

This period also saw significant developments in Modernist architecture, with architects like Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright reshaping urban landscapes.

The art history timeline presented in this guide provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of artistic styles and movements, offering valuable insights for students of art history and enthusiasts alike.

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Subjects

AP Art History

Overview

Cool Study Notes on Art Periods: Renaissance to American Art

Tiya

@tiya_2006

67 Followers

Covers key artistic developments from Stone Age to Surrealism
Highlights characteristics, major artists, and significant works for each period
Contextualizes art movements within important historical events
Includes information on European, Middle Eastern, and American art traditions

8/15/2023

146

10th/11th

AP Art History

Stone Age to Hellenistic Art

Example: The Lascaux Cave Paintings and the Woman of Willendorf figurine are iconic works from this era.

Highlight: The Great Pyramids and the Bust of Nefertiti are among the most recognizable works of Egyptian art.

Vocabulary: Hellenistic art refers to the art of the Greek world from Alexander the Great's death to the rise of the Roman Empire.

The historical context of these early art periods includes significant events such as the end of the Ice Age, the invention of writing by the Sumerians, and the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Roman to Early Renaissance Art

Definition: Roman realism refers to the down-to-earth, practical approach to art that focused on accurately depicting the world as it appeared.

Example: The Chartres Cathedral is a prime example of Gothic architecture, known for its pointed arches and ribbed vaults.

The Early and High Renaissance (1400 - 1550) marked a rebirth of classical culture in art. This period saw the emergence of legendary artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Michelangelo.

Quote: "Art is never finished, only abandoned." - Leonardo da Vinci

Historical events during these periods included the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, the birth of Islam, the Viking raids, and the invention of movable type by Gutenberg.

Renaissance to Realism

The Venetian and Northern Renaissance (1430 - 1550) saw the spread of Renaissance ideals to Northern Europe, with artists like Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Dürer making significant contributions.

Mannerism (1527 - 1580) emerged as a reaction to the idealized perfection of the High Renaissance, characterized by elongated figures and artificial poses.

Vocabulary: Mannerism is an art style that deliberately broke the rules of classical proportion and harmony.

The Baroque period (1600 - 1750) was marked by dramatic, emotional, and ornate art, often used as a tool in religious wars. Notable artists include Rubens, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio.

Neoclassicism (1750 - 1850) sought to recapture the grace and grandeur of ancient Greek and Roman art. This period coincided with the Age of Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.

Romanticism (1780 - 1850) emphasized imagination, emotion, and individualism in art. Key figures include Caspar David Friedrich and J.M.W. Turner.

Highlight: The Romantic movement was partly a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution.

Example: The Ashcan School, an American art movement, realistically portrayed daily life in New York City's poorer neighborhoods.

Impressionism to Surrealism

Definition: Impressionism is characterized by small, thin brush strokes, emphasis on accurate depiction of light, ordinary subject matter, and unusual visual angles.

Post-Impressionism (1886 - 1892) emerged as a reaction to Impressionism, with artists like Van Gogh and Cézanne pushing beyond the limitations of Impressionist style.

The early 20th century saw a proliferation of avant-garde art movements, including Cubism, Futurism, and De Stijl. These movements sought new forms to express the realities of modern life.

Example: Pablo Picasso's "Les Demoiselles d'Avignon" is considered a groundbreaking work of Cubism.

Dada and Surrealism (1917 - 1950) challenged conventional notions of art. Dada was an anti-art movement, while Surrealism explored the unconscious mind and dreams.

Quote: "I don't paint dreams or nightmares, I paint my own reality." - Frida Kahlo, a prominent Surrealist artist

This period also saw significant developments in Modernist architecture, with architects like Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright reshaping urban landscapes.