GED 108 – A BRIEF HISTORY OF ART

ART HISTORY TIMELINE: WESTERN ART

MOVEMENTS AND THEIR IMPACT

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 ART HISTORY TIMELINE: WESTERN ART MOVEMENTS AND
THEIR IMPACT
• The foundation of art history can be traced back tens of thousands of years to
when ancient civilizations used available techniques and media to depict culturally
significant subject matter. Since these early examples, a plethora of art movements
have followed, each bearing their own distinct styles and characteristics that reflect
the political and social influences of the period from which they emerged.
• Influential genres of art from the Renaissance to the rise of Modernism have
undoubtedly made their mark on history. With many artists today like Banksy,
Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, and Kehinde Wiley consistently infusing
art historical references into contemporary works, understanding the historical
context and significance of each period and movement is critical for collectors and
Fresco painting in St. art enthusiasts alike. Below is a comprehensive art movements timeline that
Charles's church in Vienna explores the characteristics, leading contributors, and important influences of each
prominent period in the history of Western art.
A CONCISE TIMELINE OF WESTERN ART HISTORY

1. Prehistoric Art~40,000–4,000 B.C. 13. Post-Impressionism1885–1910

2. Ancient Art30,000 B.C.–A.D. 400 14. Fauvism1900–1935

3. MedievalA.D. 500–A.D. 1400 15. Expressionism1905–1920

4. Renaissance1400–1600 16. Cubism1907–1914

5. Mannerism1527–1580 17. Surrealism1917–1950

6. Baroque1600–1750 18. Abstract Expressionism1940–1950s

7. Rococo1699–1780 19. Op Art1950s–1960s

8. Neoclassicism1750–1850 20. Pop Art1950s–1960s

9. Romanticism1780–1850 21. Arte Povera1960s

10. Realism1848–1900 22. Minimalism1960s–1970s

11. Art Nouveau1890–1910 23. Conceptual Art mid-1960s–mid-1970s

12. Impressionism1865–1885 24. Contemporary Art1970–present

 PREHISTORIC ART~40,000–4,000 B.C.

• CHARACTERISTICS - Rock carvings,

pictorial imagery, sculptures, and stone
arrangements
• LEADING CONTRIBUTORS - Prehistoric
Lascaux cave paintings,
Paleolithic era cultures that existed before the advent of
INFLUENTIAL WORKS a written language
 ANCIENT ART30,000 B.C.–A.D. 400

• CHARACTERISTICSReligious and
symbolic imagery, decorations for
utilitarian objects, mythological stories
• LEADING CONTRIBUTORSCivilizations
from Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, and the
INFLUENTIAL WORKSCode of Americas
Hammurabi, 1754 B.C.
MEDIEVALA.D. 500–A.D. 1400
RENAISSANCE1400–1600
MANNERISM1527–1580
BAROQUE1600–1750
ROCOCO1699–1780
NEOCLASSICISM 1750 – 1850
ROMANTICISM 1780 - 1850
REALISM 1848 – 1900
ART NOUVEAU 1890 - 1910
IMPRESSIONISM 1865 - 1885
POST-IMPRESSIONISM 1885 - 1910
FAUVISM 1900 - 1935
EXPRESSIONISM 1905 - 1920
CUBISM 1907 - 1914
SURREALISM 1917 - 1950
ABSTRACT IMPRESSIONISM 1940-1950’S
OP ART 1950’S – 1960’S
POP ART 1950’S – 1960’S
ARTE POVERA 1960’S
MINIMALISM 1960’S – 1970’S
Joseph Kosuth, One and Three Chairs, 1965
CONTEMPORARY ART 1970 - PRESENT
• Art movements throughout the history of Western art have
offered a swath of diverse, influential styles, techniques, and
media across the globe. Each movement shed light on
distinctive painting, sculpture, architectural achievements, and
other defining works. Understanding the timeline of art history
and how each period has influenced later movements is
paramount to building a thoughtful, cohesive collection.

https://www.invaluable.com/blog/art-history-timeline/
THANK YOU AND GOOD DAY!