Lesson 2: Art of Emerging Europe

A. Learning Outcomes:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. identify the major periods in Western art history;
2. compare and contrast the artworks produced during the different time periods and art
movements; and
3. discuss the importance of art to the development of Western culture.
B. Key Concepts
Art has been an integral part in the European history. There are different art movements that
emerged within the different time periods in Europe. Each movement has a distinctive characteristic
to them highlighting the different trends and changes as they transition from one period to the next.
A. Ancient Greece
 The Greeks were known to excel in various fields and aspects of society.
 They value poetry, drama, philosophy, which remain interesting fields of study for the
contemporary times.
 Man was at the center of society and how they trained their minds could be the very foundation
of how they lived their lives.
 The humanist ideals of the Greeks were reflected in their democratic form of government.
 The Greeks were notably passionate about natural phenomenon and believed that nature
should be in perfect order.
Four Periods:
1. Geometric-A time when Greece was starting to get back from onslaught of what seemed to be their
Dark ages.
 It was a period when geometric shapes and patterns have taken the spotlight in most of the
artworks.
2. Archaic Period - Place more importance on human figures.
 This was primarily a result of Greece's trading activities with other civilizations
3. Classical period - Greeks rebuilds their temples and focused on creating artworks.
4. Hellenistic period - Art was primarily focused on showcasing emotions and depicting reality.
 Hellenistic sculptures started to emphasize balance while showcasing dynamic poses and a
number of emotions evoked by the subjects.
Example: Sculpture - Lacoon and His sons

The origins of theater and drama can be tracked back during the Greek civilization. The
followers of Dionysus - the god of fertility started the Greek Theater. People who were devoted to
Dionysus would dance during ceremonies while giving their offerings to their god. After sometime,
Dionysian's devised a more structured form of drama involving dances and choral songs, which
depicted Greek mythologies and performed in front of large audience.
B. Ancient Rome (500BCE)
 The Romans were fond of the Greeks and their achievement in the arts.
 Some would argue that the Romans merely copied Greek art that is why they produced art that
are often looking stern, harsh, and strong.
 They invoked the principles of realism in most of their works, highlighting the features of
human beings.
 Romans are also master builders.
 Colosseum-An amphitheater that is planned and constructed for entertainment purposes like
public events and gladiator games.

Figure 7: Poseidon and Medusa

 Just like the Greeks, Romans valued their gods and this was evident with their sculptures and
artworks.
 Ancient Greece had huge impact in the formation of Roman culture. There are a lot of Greek
influences evident in Roman theater and drama. Writers of comedy like Platus and Terence
have patterned their works to those Greek works. Since the Roman audience was not as
enthusiastic about theatrical works unlike their Greek counterparts, most plays had to be
included in the Roman games.
C. Middle Ages
 It was a period that is characterized by ignorance and darkness.
 Church was the central figure and authority of the period.
 Since the church was the most important figure, the most important products of the early
middle Ages would have to be copied of Christian scriptures.
 The great cathedrals were also built by this time.
Two Periods:
1. Romanesque
 Inspired by the old roman empire
2. Gothic
 Inspired by the goths (vulgar and barbarian)
D. Renaissance Art
 Artists valued the individual as a subject of arts.
 The influence of humanism shifted the focus of some artworks during the Renaissance period
to empower the individual.
 Naturalism - there was a great emphasis on the proportionality of human body
 Artists also give importance to non-religious themes or subjects
 Revival of theatrical plays which are performed during special occasions at the courts of Italian
princes.
Michelangelo, "David"
This sculpture is an example of how humanism w dominant belief system during the
Renaissance. There is emphasis on the details of the body of the human being.
E. Mannerism
Mannerism was a period in art history, which was a product of the Renaissance Pendt. During
the Renaissance, artists would observe nature and try their best to emulate it based on their
observation. As the Renaissance ended, artists started directly copying subjects from existing works
of art. Most works during this period displayed distorted figures, two-dimensional spaces, discordant
hues and colors, and tack of defined focal point.
F. Baroque
 Portuguese term "barocco" which is translated as "irregularly shaped peart",
 Birthplace: Rome This period is a response to Protestantism.
 Expansion was the central theme of this period.
 Motion and space were taken into consideration by artists like the use of dramatic lighting and
concept of time.
 Music also flourished during this time.
 People believed that music could serve as powerful tool to communicate messages that evoke
certain feelings among its listeners
 Baroque music was able to clearly distinguish loud from soft and solo ensemble
 Composers Vivaldi, Corelli, Monteverdi, Bach, Handel

Assumption of the Virgin

A painting by Titan located at Venice, Italy The Biblical event in the painting shows how the Baroque
Period reverted to having religious subjects in their works.
G. Neoclassicism (1789)
 Beginning of modern art.
 Emerged during French revolution.
 An art movement that time which basically aimed to revive and rekindle the influences of
Greeks and
  Roman into art and architecture.
 Put emphasis on human reason and keeping society in order.
 Some historians would also say that this movement was a reaction to the artworks produced
during the Baroque Period. There was a call to veer away from such extravagance in terms of
style and form of the Baroque Period.

Antonio Canova, "Paolina Borghese as Venus Victrix"

H. Romanticism
 Highlighted heroic elements into their works.
 Focus on patriotic and nationalistic movements.
 Emphasis on the goodness of mankind, promotes justice, equality, and social order.

Theodore Gericault, "The Raft of Medusa"

The major and central themes of Romanticism movement include the emphasis on the
goodness of mankind. Most works also promoted justice, equality, and social order. Artists also
emphasized emotions and feelings of man, which was a deviation from the humanist principles of
rationalism.
I. Realism
 It is a style of work focuses on the accuracy of details that depicts and somehow mirrors
reality.
 Realism as a modern movement in art veered away from traditional forms of art. In a way. It
revolutionized themes and techniques in paintings. This movement also reexamined existing
belief systems and traditions.

Gustave Courbet, "Burial at Ornans"

J. Impressionism
 A movement started in France, which led to a break from the tradition in European painting.
Impressionism is a style of painting that emerged in the mid- to late 1800s.
 The distinctive characteristic of this style is that it allows the artist to emphasize the immediate
impression he has of a particular event or scene.
Berthe Morisot, "The Harbor at Lorient" (1869)
Impressionist artists started moving art outdoors which aimed to include the shifting light they
wanted to capture in their works. This work by Morisot is one of the first few "open air" paintings
under the Impressionism movement.
1. Post-Impressionism
 Most artists that belong to this movement started off as impressionists but later on saw the
inherent limitations and flaws of impressionism.
 This eventually led to the development of individual style that gave emphasis to defining from
with the use of broken colors and short brush stroke.
2. Neo-Impressionism
 It is considered as a response to empirical realism or impressionism.
Most painters who subscribe to such movement rely on a systematic and scientific techniques
that have a predetermined visual effects not only on the art work itself but also how the audience
perceive art.
3. Pointillism
 These art techniques basically utilize discrete dots and dishes of pure color. These elements
are believed to blend with the viewer's perspective.