A Guide to Art History

Art is a visual creation that expresses creativity, as individual as the artist. Art, in its various forms, is also as old as mankind itself. Some examples of different types of art include painting, architecture, sculpture, performing arts, literature, and humanities. Each type of art also has several elements which include form, content, and context. History shows us that all of the great ancient civilizations like Ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome, India, and China, contributed their share of unique ideas and works to art. The first records of art began between 800,000 BC and 233,000 BC and the timeline has continued through the present time. There will always be the talented few who have the gift that allows them to make works of art that will become timeless masterpieces. Conversely, a percentage of the population will always have a true appreciation for artistic creations. 

• The Cave Men’s Art
• WebMuseum Paris
• History of Curved Origami Sculpture
• Ancient Egyptian Art
• Greek Art
• What is Art?

Defining art can be quite a challenge, because of the wide range of styles and variations in existance. Artifacts that are discovered in modern times that originated from ancient cultures, often times get labeled as art even though the originator may have never intended for the end result to be thought of as such. During the 16^th century, in the Renaissance, art was used to label paintings, sculptures, and architecture for the first time. Later in the 18^th century, music and poetry were added to the list and appropriately called “fine art.” From this point forward pottery, metalworking, weaving, and furniture making were eventually accepted as well. The Ancient Cultures and even the Middle Ages were times in which creating artwork was a job duty, because it was seen as more of a needed service. The Renaissance was really the transitional time, where art started gaining the recognition that it deserved. The 19^th century marked the point in time where new claims about sculpture and painting were introduced and the modern era started. The elements in all types of art include form, which refers to the dimension that the artwork is in. Another element, known as content, deals with the substance or meaning in the work and context focuses on the surrounding situation or environment. 

• Renaissance Art Map
• Early Midieval Art
• Ink Cartridges
• 19^th Century Art Worldwide
• 18^th-Century: Introduction

Art is an expressive craft, hobby, or skill that has evolved over time and became appreciated by many, even when it uses printer ink. There are many forms of art that currently exist and the elements and types, are as varied as the artists. Variables in influence range from different periods in time and from different parts of the world. This in whole has made art what it is today and by understanding arts past, the present and future can be more easily understood. A timeline with a few significant events in art history are as follows:

• 800,000 BC – 600 BC
  • 3100 BC hieroglyph script in Egypt
• 599 BC – 200 AD
  • 80 AD the Coliseum in Rome was built
• 201 AD – 1200 AD
  • 700 AD climax of China painting and poetics
• 1201 AD – 1600 AD
  • 1594 AD Tintoretto: The Last Supper
• 1601 AD – 1800 AD
  • 1653 AD Taj Mahal in India was completed
• 1801 AD – 1865 AD
  • 1862 AD Victor Hugo: Les Misérables
• 1866 AD – 1900 AD
  • 1885 AD Mark Twain: Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• 1901 AD – 1940 AD
  • 1910 AD Abstract Art
• 1941 AD – 1983 AD
  • 1979 AD Michael Ende: The Neverending Story
• 1984 AD – 2000 AD
  • 1988 AD The Seikan Tunnel, Japan, was constructed