Prehistoric Period

The primitive men depended on hunting of wild animals for food and clothing, and lived mostly
in caves. By representing their beliefs, they painted images on cave walls and ceilings. Aside
from cave paintings, there were also rock carvings and engravings done by early civilization. The
subjects were animals and human figures made from bone, ivory, and stone. An early form of
architecture was built primarily for religious purposes or as place for burying dead. A large piece
of stone, called megalith, were used and arranged to form some kind of religious symbolism.

Egyptian
Egyptian art is based on perfection, reflecting the ideal world of gods. Most of its art is functional,
mainly to serve as the home for a spirit of their loved ones, their kings or their gods. Egyptian art
is not meant to be seen, most of them discovered inside the pyramids and temples. Egyptian
architecture uses the post and lintel system, one of the oldest methods of construction. Their
paintings are representational, showing the image or object at its most recognizable angle.

Greek
Greek art is divided into three periods: archaic period, Classical or Hellenic Period and Hellenistic
Period. In the archaic period, the arts are in linear, geometric designs and a human figure. The
classical or Hellenic Period is considered the Golden Age of Athens for it is when there were
various cultural achievements. The Period when the Greek culture intermingled with the Oriental
culture is called the Hellenistic Period.

Roman
The Romans admired the Greek civilization so when they conquered the Greeks, they adopted
most the Greek techniques and forms. Their paintings showcased their environment. Still life, and
architectural motifs were the common subjects of their paintings. The Romans preferred to sculpt
portraits, also called busts. The Romans used concrete to reinforce their buildings.

Medieval
Medieval art is classified into four major periods and styles: 1. Early Christian, 2. Byzantine, 3.
Romanesque, and 4. Gothic. The early Christian emphasized the spiritual and religious, Christian
images and symbols. Byzantine art is a combination of classical and Asian traditions, it aims to
create a reflection of heaven. Romanesque style rounded arches combined with heavy walls and
columns. Gothics is the Period that links Romanesque art with Renaissance.
Renaissance
Renaissance comes from the French word which means “rebirth”, in this period, there were
discoveries in art and sciences. Renaissance artists portray their subjects as natural as possible,
seeking to capture the beauty and mystery of the natural world. Modeling shading and
geometrical/linear perspective were also used in their paintings to achieve a three- dimensional
effect.

Mannerism
Mannerism comes from the Italian word maniera which means style or stylishness. Mannerist
artists stressed the individual way of painting, the personal vision and pictorial understanding of
things. They put a high value on the portrayal of the human body. Mannerist work have elaborated
ornamentation which creates unusual spatial effects. Artists also experiment with colors, using
strong clashing colors, instead of grayish tones. There themes are fantastic and bizarre.

Baroque
Baroque comes from the Portuguese word barocco meaning “irregular pearl or stone.” It is an art
characterized by drama, movement, energy, and restlessness. A new technique, chiaroscuro, was
developed in this period. The paintings are open composition, meaning the lines, shapes and
elements make the image dynamic. And the music of baroque is one of the richest and most diverse
periods in music history.

Rococo
Rococo comes from the word rocaille meaning “shell”. Artist would mix seashells, pebbles, and
other organic elements to create a naturalistic inspired work. Rococo architecture has no particular
meaning, it is mainly a style of ornament and interior design. The furniture and architecture are
focused on secular, asymmetrical design and maintained the decorative style of the baroque.

Romanticism
It is a renewed interest in medieval stories of heroism and emotion. The artists are free to express
his/her view of the world in whatever medium or technique he/she is comfortable with. Romantics
valued originality, inspiration, and imagination, promoting a variety style in their artworks. They
interested in the depths of human nature. It influenced by Greek, gothic, renaissance and baroque.