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Collapse08 Art History and Art Movements (Part 1)

 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 8

 02A Lesson Proper for Week 8

 03B Analysis, Application, and Exploration for Week 8

 04A Generalization for Week 8

 05A Evaluation for Week 8

 06A Assignment for Week 8

 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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 3. 223 - GE6

4. 08 Art History and Art Movements (Part 1)

5. 02A Lesson Proper for Week 8

02A Lesson Proper for Week 8

DIFFERENT ART MOVEMENTS

1. Cave Art.
Art in a cave can be traced back to the various paintings, engravings and scripture during the Ice
Ages. Most of the arts engraved in these caves are either red or black inked. Similarly, relics are
commonly made from hematite (iron oxide), while blocks are made from manganese and charcoal
dioxide.

Example:

Contrary to what is expected, the oldest known cave painting in the world was not a magnificent
display of mundane living or animal behavior during the stone ages. In the Cantabria region of
northern Spain, El Castillo holds thousands of years’ worth of spectacular prehistoric art.

However, a simple disc-shaped red painting was found by archaeologists at the end of a long,
narrow passage in this cave. They believed that the painting is at least 40,800 years old which was
not long before they met their predecessors, which are the Neanderthals (Spanne, 2016).

2. Egyptian Art. According to historical data, the principle of cohesion or what is now known as
ma’at, was rooted in Egyptian culture. The principle was believed to have started at the beginning of
life and cosmos. (GE6-Art Appreciation Module No 8.pdf - Module on Art, n.d.) Ma’at represents the
beautiful universe of gods; all Egyptian sculptures focus on a perfect equilibrium. Considering that
these gods gave every excellent gift to humanity, these artworks had been invented and developed
for use. Egyptian sculptures have also been practical, first and foremost. If a sculpture was perfectly
built, it acts as a sanctuary for a spirit or a deity.

Example:
According to Adhakari (2019), King Ramesses fought numerous wars during his reign and emerged
victorious from most of them. This led to the expansion of riches owned by the Egyptian empire
during his 66-year reign in 1279-1213 BC. Thus, it is not surprising that he is one of the most
influential pharaoh of Egypt. Moreover, one of his remarkable battles were that against the Nubians,
a 200-year old wealthy civilization. The well-documented victory was placed in the papyrus painting
above. The battle was depicted on the Beit el-wali temple's south wall, which was a Nubian
stronghold. On a wall of the temple, the art showed that in one of the battles with the Nubians, King
Ramesses had to fight the whole battle alone without any help from his soldiers.

3. Greek Art. Much of this human civilization has been integrated into our collective consciousness.
Greek art includes images of epic wars, scholarly philosophers, gleaming white buildings, and
limbless nudes. We now understand sculptures and even those that accessorize statues, such as
the Parthenon have brought a huge impact to the modern arts especially because of its remarkable
archaeological places and literary sources.

Example:

One example of the influence of the Greeks in Art is the Fallen Warrior from the Temple of Aphaia.
This sculpture represents the tragedy of a dying hero from the island of Aegina. Tragedy, as artists
use it today, is a greek concept that elaborates legends and cultural roots. In fact, this impactful
concept is still being performed today. Some examples of popular Greek tragedies include the
tragedies of Sophocles, Euripides and Aeschylus.

4. Roman Art. Ancient Greek art was rediscovered from the 17th century onward. Roman art has
suffered slightly from a reputation crisis. Art criticism also discovered that many of the most
significant Roman artworks were simply duplicates or influenced by Greek originals earlier and
mostly destroyed. Roman art's popularity, which succeeded in the middle ages and the Renaissance
for all Romanesque items, started to decline. The meaning of what it truly is another issue with
Roman art. In contrast to Greek art, the Roman empire’s vast geographical location led to varying
apart approaches

Example:

According to Adhikari (2019), Trajan’s Colum is one of the most popular landmark in the city of Rome
as it is also the best-preserved monument in the city. Aside from its stunning exterior, it contains
2,662 carved figures in its surface with over 155 scene depictions that tell a story of its own. The
beauty of the monument is a living narrative of the Roman army's coordination, administration, and
operations. (Adhikari, Top 10 Outstanding Pieces of Ancient Roman Art, 2019)

5. Medieval Period. This period featured a range of things from glass mosaics, wall paintings, and
metalwork. Byzantine art is traditional and primarily religious. Most byzantine artworks are
associated with lower levels of realism. Byzantine paintings are white, with little to no shadows to a
hint of 3D, and the themes are generally serious and somber.

Example:
Hagia Sophia, built in 537 AD (Kirchmair, 2020), at the beginning of the medieval period under
Byzantine emperor Justinian I, epitomizes Byzantine architecture. Although Hagia Sophia was
originally built as a Greek Orthodox Christian cathedral, it was repurposed as a mosque after the
Turkish conquest of Constantinople in 1453 and is used as a museum in Istanbul, Turkey. When it
was built, Hagia Sophia was the world’s tallest building known for its iconic, massive dome.

6. Chinese Painting. Chinese painting is among the world’s oldest continuing forms of art. In China
today, traditional painting is recognized as “guóhuà,” which means “ethnic” or “local painting”, in
contrast to Western decorative arts, which grew popular in China in the 20 th century. For Chinese
painting, the two primary methods are as follows:

a. “Gongbi,” which means “thorough,” uses specific brushstrokes that precisely identify details.
b. As one of the Chinese Scholar-of-Scientific class “Four Arts,” ink and wash painting in Chinese is
also commonly classified as water-colored painting or brush painting. It was an art performed in
principle by gentlemen and a differentiation that begins with the Song dynasty in literature but may
benefit remarkably from leading exhibitors. This style is often called the “xieyi” style.

Example:

The painting above is called the Zhang Zeduan’s Spring Festival on the River (also called Along the
River During Qingming Festival). This Chinese painting was created during the Northern Song
dynasty in the 12th century. According to Boucher (2014), the attribution of Northern Song Dynasty
academy to Zeduan is uncertain but this work of art has nonetheless became one of the most
famous yet debatable works in Chinese history. The painting portrays the intricate details of the city
life from thousands of years ago.

7. Japanese Print. Until its Edo era in 1603 to 1868, the art of woodblock printing was launched
into the Han dynasty. Initially, conventional handscrolls were used as inexpensive books by
woodblock printing. However, conventional handscrolls were quickly converted and used as a
method for the mass processing of prints.
Example:

An example of a Japanese print is the series Thirty-six views of Mt. Fuji. The masterpiece features a
huge arching wave that threatens to consume the two boats below while Mount Fuji sits serenely in
the distance, seemingly framed by the wave. Centuries of peace during the Edo period and the
development of a sophisticated road system fostered a culture of leisure travel in Japan, thereby
creating a desire for prints of famous and beautiful landscapes bought as cheap souvenirs. At the
same time, the Western imports of prints and drawings represented new ways of looking at the
world, which also encouraged an interest in drawing from life.

8. Renaissance Art. In the context of religious practices, many Renaissance artworks portrayed
religious images, including the theme of the Virgin Mary or Our Lady, and were seen by
contemporary audiences. These artworks are still considered good but used and seen primarily as
objects of devotion. Many Renaissance artworks were painted as altarpieces for inclusion in the
Catholic rituals and donated by patrons who sponsored the mass.

Example:

According to Monk (2021), the ever-famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci is popular and
recognized indefinitely for a reason. Part of the masterpiece is the enigmatic smile that has sparked
debate and discussion even among the non-artists. Similarly, the highlight of Da Vinci’s work is the
smart placement of Mona Lisa’s eyes as it entails that wherever the audience positions themselves,
her eyes will always seem to be following your way. The oil on wood painting is currently obtained by
the Government of France and exhibited in Louvre, Paris. Up to date, it can no longer be bought or
sold as it is now a publicly owned work of art.
(Monk, 2021)

9. Mannerism. Mannerist artists were involved but did not seek to imitate perfectionism
represented by the High Renaissance artists. Instead, they distorted the values of the Renaissance
and contributed to research that encouraged self-expressionism and idealism. Mannerists
constructed unnatural compositions instead of following the harmonious principles synonymous with
Raphael and Michelangelo, which revealed their methods and hybrid capabilities to exploit
compositions to build the illusion of advanced beauty.

Example:

The picture is entitled Perseus with the head of Medusa by Benvenuto Cellini. The statue has been
remarkably influential because Antonio Canova and 18th-century Russian sculptor Feodosy
Fyodorovich Shchedrin made their versions of Perseus. Surrealist Salvador Dalí casts many
sculptures referencing Cellini's statue, from small works created in series to large statues such as
the one displayed at the Avenida del Mar in Marbella, Spain.

10. Baroque. In Baroque style, contrast, motion, exuberant details, profound light, scale, and
excitement are used to build a feeling of admiration. This style originated in Rome at the beginning
of the 17th century and spread quickly to France, Northern Italy, Spain, Portugal, and then to Austria,
Southern Germany, and Russia. The Baroque style developed in the 1730s to a much more
glamorous style known as rocaille or rococo, which appeared in France and Central Europe until the
middle of the 18th century.

Example:
“The greatest Baroque project was completing St. Peter's Basilica,” which was built over the early
Christian “Old” St. Peter’s Basilica. Although the original 16th-century design was a central plan, a
long nave was added to make the church larger, making the plan rectangular. An impressive facade
was then added in the “front of the nave, which ruined the effect of Michelangelo's dome (his dome
is over the original 16th-century central plan, now the apse). The enormous size of St. Peter's
Basilica, which is the largest church in the world, emphasizes the importance of the Roman Catholic
faith in the face of the Protestant reformers.” (Bluffton College, 1997)

Rococo Art. In the 18th century, Rococo architecture, drawing, sculpture, and decorative arts
became popular in Europe. The extravagant and lively Rococo first emerged in inner design and
decoration in reaction to the baroque period's firmness. The word” saloon” in French means a living
room; Rococo salons refer to central rooms in the Rococo style. The concept of a “salon” is an era of
light that has turned the lounge into the main space for aristocracy where guests may entertain
themselves and engage in intellectual conversation.

Example:

Dated in 1717, the Pilgrimage to the Isle of Cythera was credited under the name of Jean-Antoine
Watteau and has become her most popular work. The painting displayed scenes of a group of
couples return and set out for a small Greek island, Cythera. This island was believed to be near the
mythical site of Aphrodite’s birth, which is why it has been believed to be blessed by the Goddess of
Love. According to Lebowitz (2018), each of the three couples represents the stages of courtship,
while the flying cupids represent Cythera’s inexplicable association with Aphrodite. Moreover, the
Renaissance-style landscape adds up to the expensive and lush look of this work of art.
11. Neoclassical. Neoclassical art refers to simplification with its focus on asymmetry, bright colors,
and decoration. As the Grand Tour continues to become more popular, the collection of antiquities as
mementos seemed to be more famous as well. This collecting practice laid the groundwork for many
brilliant art pieces and extended the traditional Renaissance across Europe and America.

Example:

One example of a prime neoclassical art is the Cathedral of Vilnius, known for its key features that
define the realities of the neoclassic period. For instance, the columns are carved characteristically
to show off the authentic feel of that era. Sculptures on the top of the cathedral show that the
building is a home for worship, while the cross symbolizes that it is the main sanctuary of Catholics
for their worship. Because of this, people all over the world visit to view this masterpiece as it is truly
an astonishing wonder of the world.

12. Romanticism. Romance embraced individual identity and subjectivity to combat overemphasis
on logical thinking. Artists started to investigate various physiological and psychological situations
and moods.

Example:
Théodore Géricault's large painting of The Raft of the Medusa initially caused considerable scandal
and controversy. The painting depicts a real-life shipwreck in 1816, in which hundreds of soldiers lost
their lives. This event stunned an entire nation because 150 people climbed onto the raft, but only 15
were rescued and survived. The artist, who was still young when the tragedy happened, portrayed
the tragedy with surprising realism. Given that it included the living and the dead bodies, The Raft of
the Medusa took time to be fully appreciated by the public; when it was first displayed, the
predominant emotion was rejection.

13. Realism. Realistic painters replaced traditional arts’ idealist representations and literature with
actual events throughout the tumultuous revolt and social change period. They place a similar weight
throughout the margins of society with portraits and allegories of national history.

Example:

Inspired by a Greenwich Avenue restaurant, Edward Hopper crafts out an art gem that induces the
viewer into awareness. Similar to a puzzle, the piece is incomplete. Edward coveys the gloomy
aftermath of World War II in the streets of Manhattan, where he grew up. Only isolation, depravity,
and a dark sadness are evident when you focus on its details. The art ultimately reflects the hard life,
struggle, and hustle of individuals (men and women) during a dark time in American history; this is
why this piece has been recognized and appreciated throughout the country and beyond.

Only isolation, depravity, and a dark sadness are evident when you focus on its details. The art
ultimately reflects the hard life, struggle, and hustle of individuals (men and women) during a dark
time in American history; this is why this piece has been recognized and appreciated throughout the
country and beyond.

14. Impressionism. In all modern painting, impressionism may be the most important movement.
Back in 1860s, a group of young artists decided to paint what they could see, think, and feel vividly.
They did not want to portray the history, mythology, or the life of great men and visual appearances;
they did not seek perfection.

Example:

Caillebotte's most famous and ambitious painting was exhibited at the Third Impressionist Exhibition
at the Rue Le Peletier, where it was not well-accepted by the critic. L'Évenement wrote the following
about this painting: “the drawing is of good quality, but Caillebotte has forgotten to include the rain.”
Either way, this painting was one of the best representations of 19th century Paris ever painted.

15. Post-Impressionism. Post-impressionism includes a wide variety of different artistic styles that
respond to the impressionist movement optically.

Example:
The Starry Night, which is one of Van Gogh’s most well-known works, sits within an oeuvre of his
works created between 1885 and 1890. During these years, the paintings reflected his vision and,
similar to other post-impressionists, relied on a vibrant color palette, inventive perspectives,
interesting compositions, and purposeful brushstrokes.

16. Neo-Impressionism. Various artists have initiated and resurrected the original trend of
expressionism at the beginning of the 20th century. However, Georg Baselitz, who led the rebirth that
overtook German art in the 1970s, inaugurated the most prominent return to expressionism. During
the 1980s, this revival was a part of the global return to the sensuality of painting and the
sparseness of minimalism and reproduction, which was not stylistic or remote.

Example:

The painting on the right is known as “Luxe, Calme at Volupte” which as inspired by “L’invitation au
voyage”, Charles Baudelaire’s poem. The painting shows a sunny day on the shores of French
Rivera, where six nude women are positioned before a bearded and clothed man sitting in his picnic
blanket. The women are purposely positioned in classical poses which adds to the depth and overall
shape of the piece. Moreover, some noticeable brush strokes were the thin yellow cloud and the
folded sail of a boat. Matisse reflects in his work a vision of aesthetic pleasures, which he caught
inspiration from his summer trip in St. Tropez.
(The Art Story, n.d.)

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Additional Learning Materials 01A Preliminary Activity for Week 8 03B
Analysis, Application, and Exploration for Week 8 04A Generalization for Week 8
05A Evaluation for Week 8 06A Assignment for Week 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY

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