visual art twelve periods

Art is what distinguishes the world's history and society. It has also been viewed as a distinguishing feature of a certain civilisation or epoch. Since ancient times, art has been regarded as a form of nonverbal communication. In this article, the various types of visual art would be explained in relation to the 12 known historical ages.
Visual Art Forms During Specific Historical Periods
Paleolithic period. The Paleolithic Period is often referred to as the "Old Stone Age." It represents a period in history when our ancestors evolved physically and behaviorally from ape-like beings to civilized humans, or Homo sapiens. It was also during this time that people learned to develop ways on how to survive their harsh environment through the manufacture of tools out of stones and bones of dead organisms (Dibble n.p.).

Paleolithic art mainly focused on hard stone paintings and stone-age sculpture. Stone paintings were discovered by archaeologists in caves while stone-age sculpture was characterized by distinct carvings on bones, clay, ivory and stones. Paleolithic art was believed to exist not only for aesthetic purposes, but also, such works of art held supernatural implications. Female figurines, for instance, were believed to have been made in order to promote fertility in specific tribes (Essential Humanities n.p.).

One of the best known works of art during the Upper Paleolithic period is the Venus figurine (see Fig. 1), which was discovered in numerous areas in Europe 23,000 to 25,000 years ago. The figurines are characterized by swollen hips and enlarged breasts. They were man-made and regarded as vivid symbols of female beauty and fertility. They were also believed to be representations of priestesses and ancestral images during this period (Dixson 1).

Neolithic

The Neolithic period, or the New Stone Age, was characterized by widespread agricultural dependence for survival. During this period, sculpture, architecture and pottery were developed. Pottery painting became well-known because of the paint’s ability to stick to the surface of the vessel. Most of the Neolithic pottery works that have been obtained were characterized by simple geometric designs. Furthermore, artists during this period also sculpted on vessels by means of incised relief methods and three-dimensional moulding (Essential Humanities n.p.).

Neolithic pottery (see Fig. 2) became known because of their symmetry and intricate designs. These vessels were mostly earthenware utilized as ritual containers in certain Neolithic tribes found in the Yangtze and Yellow river valleys of China. The most common colors used for these vessels were gray, black and red which offered a sense of beauty and versatility in terms of craftsmanship. In later years, ceramics was introduced as a material for Neolithic vessels (Art of Asia n.p.).

Mesopotamian. Mesopotamian sculpture focused more on stone monuments, ceramics, steles, mosaic, and carved seals. Some of the sculptured works found at Diyala Valley were made of bronze and copper casts. In the ancient city of Ur, there were statuettes and small monuments made of jewelry, silver, gold, lapis lazuli, colored limestone, shells and cylinder seals. One of these is the elaborately-designed Ram in a Thicket (see Fig. 3), discovered at the Great Death Pit of Ur (Lloyd).

Male goats or rams became widely known during the Mesopotamian Early Dynastic Period (2900-2350 BCE). The Ram in a Thicket statuette possessed corkscrew-shaped horns made from gold and lapis lazuli, ears made from copper, and fleece made from shells. It was not regarded as a free-standing image, but was used as a linked support for small bowls or trays. It was believed that the Ram in a Thicket was a sacred symbol of the land’s fertility and abundance (Visual Arts Editors).

Egyptian. Egyptian culture is best known for its unique artworks, ancient architecture and symbol-based writing system or hieroglyphics. Egyptian art has a dual function. First, it was used to worship the gods and the Pharaoh. It was also utilized as a means for humans to reach the after-life. Secondly, art was used to retain the culture and lifestyle of ancient Egypt. Egyptian art focused on the importance of symmetry and order more than artistry and creativity (Visual Arts Editors n.p.).

One of the most significant artifacts of the Egyptian civilization is the Palette of King Narmer (see Fig. 4). It was buried inside a temple at Hierakonpolis and was eventually found by James Quibell and Frederick Green in 1898. This carved palette, which has a height of 63.5 cm, was used in specific rituals involving the gods of ancient Egypt. It is made of smooth greenish-gray siltstone, and both of its faces depict certain scenes involving King Narmer and other absurd images (Khan Academy n.p.).

Minoan. The Minoan civilization existed between 2200 and 1450 B.C.E. Minoan art, as opposed with Egyptian art, focused more on promoting contentment and happiness through paintings, architecture and sculpture. Since there were no temples or monuments present, small sculptures made from baked clay, marble, ivory, gold, and bronze prevailed during this period (Besermenji et al., 65-67).

The Palaikastro Kouros (1480-1425 BCE) is one example of a Minoan masterpiece made from chryselephantine (see Fig. 5). It was discovered at Roussolakkos, an ancient Minoan community (Visual Arts Editors). The sculpture, carved out of a hippopotamus tooth, depicted the anatomical figure of a man. The statue also features a serpentinite hairpiece, golden sandals and loincloth, and a glass-covered base. It was broken down into pieces during the Late Minoan period but was restored during its recovery in Crete (Ministry of Culture and Sports).

Mycenaean. Fresco art was most common during the Mycenaean civilization. Fresco art not only pertained to the simple designs of elite residences and town spaces, but also to the distinct features of an individual (Hemingway n.p.).

Mycenaean fresco art (see Fig. 6) commonly displayed various rituals during this period. Walls were divided into three areas. The top part was assigned for dados, the middle part was for picturesque scenes and the bottom part was made up of friezes, which may be placed on top of each other. Its intricate and twisted patterns were similar to that of modern wallpaper. Floors also had repetitive gridlines. The palaces during the Mycenaean civilization had walls and floors filled with elaborate paintings (Chapin n.p.).

Greek. The Greek period is known for its legendary gods, goddesses, warriors and mythical figures. The most notable sculpted images in ancient Greece, especially during the Archaic Period are the two statues of Kleobis and Biton (see Fig. 7). These statues are more commonly known as kouroi in Greek and were originally found at Argos in 580 B.C. They are currently situated at the Archaeological Museum in Delphi, Greece (Cartwright n.p.).

The sculptor of these two figures was Polymedes of Argos. The design was an adaptation of the Peloponnesian style of carving, characterized by dominance and muscularity. These life-sized statues were deemed as historical instead of mythical images. Furthermore, they symbolize essential values such as strength, piousness and masculinity (Hellenicaworld Editors n.p.).

Roman

The fresco wall art and floor mosaics in the House of Livia (see Fig. 8) were deemed as one of the most famous paintings during the Roman period. The House of Livia still maintains its mesmerizing beauty until today. It was owned by Livia, the wife of Augustus who was deemed influential in Rome during this time (Learner n.p.).

The inner walls of this house contain realistic paintings which focus on visualizing the beauty of nature. Exotic birds, some common flowers and trees were painted with profound detail that certain environmentalists were able to determine the species of such creatures. Even though several years have passed since it was first launched to the public, it still depicts the same beauty that awed Romans and tourists alike (Ancient History List n.p.).

Age of Faith: Gothic. The most popular work of art during the Gothic period is The Betrayal of Christ or The Kiss of Judas (see Fig. 9), a painting in the Scrovegni Chapel of Italy. This fresco masterpiece was made by Giotto di Bondone, a Florentine artist, during the 14th century (Visual Arts Editors n.p.).

The element of realism in this painting sets it apart from other types of fresco art. It depicted a scene before Jesus Christ was captured by the Roman soldiers and his disciple Judas Iscariot identified him through a kiss. Christ calmly looks at Judas after such a betrayal. Aside from drama, the scene appeared to be emphasized through elements of variety, clarity and fluidity of color. Giotto was able to add touches of tranquility, self-control and sacredness as well in this painting (Visual Arts Editors n.p.).

Age of Humanism: Renaissance in Italy. The most famous masterpiece during the Italian Renaissance was The Last Supper (see Fig. 10), which was painted by Leonardo da Vinci. It has been deemed as an artwork that has continued to exist until today despite numerous challenges to maintain its form and color. This masterpiece has also been the subject of interest for most people and is commonly placed in the dining room of the house.

The painting was assigned to Leonardo da Vinci by Duke Ludovico Sforza for the dining hall of the Santa Maria delle Grazie monastery in Milan, Italy. Da Vinci primarily used an oil mix application on a dry wall in order to attain the beauty of an oil-based painting. The Last Supper was conceptualized in order to achieve the theme of gathering and eating together. It appears that the image of Jesus Christ eating with his disciples was an extension of the dining hall of the monastery. This style was acquired by Da Vinci from his predecessors who existed before the Renaissance period (Italian Renaissance Editors n.p.).

Age of Humanism: Renaissance in the North. One of the most notable Renaissance paintings in Northern Europe was the horrifying artwork of Pieter Bruegel the Elder in 1565, the Massacre of the Innocents (see Fig. 11). Bruegel was already known during Renaissance period for his landscape paintings but the controversy of this artwork was what made him more popular even until today (Finnan n.p.).

This religious form of art was a depiction of the gruesome murder of all newborn boys in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod. The painter’s intention was utilized further through a scene similar to that of a Flemish village where brutal death of the children was believed to have been done by fully-armed troops from the Spanish army. The two versions of this painting were placed in separate places; one was situated at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna and the other version, at the British Royal Collection of the Hampton Court Palace (Visual Arts Editors n.p.).

Age of Humanism: Mannerism. One of the first works of art during the Mannerist movement or Mannerism was The Last Judgment (see Fig. 12), considered to be the largest religious masterpiece during the 16th century. It was painted by Michelangelo for the altar wall of the Sistine chapel. The painting depicted judgment which will happen during the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, as also noted in the Bible (Camara n.p.).

This fresco painting featured the following: two symbolic images of Christ’s suffering on the cross at the top, a group of angels carrying trumpets in the middle, an image of Mother Mary beside Christ, the group of saints and martyrs surrounding Mother Mary and Christ, bodies of people ascending on the lower left corner and bodies of dead people going down to hell on the lower right corner. There was also an image of Charon, the god of the underworld in Greek mythology, who appears to be accompanying people bound for hell through his boat. At the bottom of the painting is a depiction of hell, which was darker and deeper in terms of color tone (Visual Arts Editors n.p.).

Conclusion

Art has been ultimately a significant part of our lives until today. It is not only a means of nonverbal expression, but also, it clearly defines the culture, history and values of a community or nation. Art guides people in the development of one’s identity and behavior. Indeed, the above-mentioned artworks have become an essential part of humanity because of the influence and legacy that has been instilled in the hearts and minds of people through time.



























List of Pictures

Fig 1: Venus figurine (Paleolithic) from Dibble, Harold L. “Paleolithic Archaeology”. Expedition Magazine 34.3. Penn Museum. November 1992. http://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/?p=4218



























Fig. 2: Neolithic potteries from Art of Asia. “ Neolithic Ceramics”. In: Guide to Chinese Ceramics. The Minneapolis Institute of Art. http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/ceramics/early-chinese-ceramics-neolithic.cfm



Bulgaria Germany





Syria Czech Republic











Fig. 3: Ram in a Thicket (Mesopotamian Art- 2650-2550 BCE) from Visual Arts Editors. “Ram in a Thicket”; Encyclopedia of Ancient Art. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/prehistoric/ram-in-thicket.htm

























Fig. 4: Palette of King Narmer (Egyptian Art- 3000-2920 B.C.E.) from Khan Academy. “Palette of King Narmer.” 2017. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/egypt-art/predynastic-old-kingdom/a/palette-of-king-narmer





























Fig.5: Palakaistro Kouros (Minoan Art) from Ministry of Culture and Sports.”The Palakaistro Kouros”. Oddysey. http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/4/eh430.jsp?obj_id=4748





























Fig. 6: Mycenaean Fresco (Mycenaean Art) from Chapin, Anne P. “The Mycenaeans: Frescoes”. April 3, 2015. http://antiquatedantiquarian.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-mycenaeans-frescoes.html

























Fig. 7: Statues of Kleobis and Biton (Archaic Greek Art) from Hellenicaworld Editors. “Archaic Greek Art: Kleobis and Biton”. Hellenicaworld.com. http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/KleobisBiton.html.



















Fig. 8: Fresco wall painting in the House of Livia (Roman art) from Ancient History List. “Top 10 Outstanding Ancient Roman Arts”. 2014-2016. Ancient History List. http://www.ancienthistorylists.com/rome-history/top-10-outstanding-ancient-roman-arts/































Fig. 9: The Betrayal of Christ by Giotto di Bondone (Gothic painting at the Scrovegni Chapel) from Visual Arts Editors. “Betrayal of Christ (Kiss of Judas) by Giotto. Encyclopedia of Ancient Art. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/betrayal-of-christ.htm



































Fig. 10: The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci (Italian Renaissance Art) from Italian Renaissance Editors. “Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.” Italian Renaissance.org: Analysis of the Art of Renaissance Italy. 2015. http://www.italianrenaissance.org/a-closer look-leonardo-da-vincis-last-supper/





































Fig. 11: Massacre of the Innocents by Pieter Bruegel the Elder (Northern Renaissance Art) from Visual Arts Editors. “Massacre of the Innocents by Pieter Bruegel the Elder; Encyclopedia of Ancient Art. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/massacre-of-the-innocents.htm































Fig. 12: The Last Judgment by Michelangelo (Mannerism Art) from Visual Arts Editors. “Last Judgment Fresco by Michelangelo”; Encyclopedia of Ancient Art. http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/famous-paintings/last-judgment-fresco.htm































Works Cited

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http://www.ancienthistorylists.com/rome-history/top-10-outstanding-ancient-roman-arts/. Accessed 14 February 2017.

Learner, Annenberg. “Frescoed Wall from the House of Livia.” Annenberg Foundation,

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Art of Asia. “ Neolithic Ceramics”. In: Guide to Chinese Ceramics. The Minneapolis Institute of Art, http://archive.artsmia.org/art-of-asia/ceramics/early-chinese-ceramics-neolithic.cfm. Accessed 14 February 2017.

Besermenji, Snezana, Pivac, Tatjana, Vujicic, Miroslav, and Athanasios P. Stamos. “Minoan

Culture and Tourism.” African Journal of History and Culture, 2(5), 2010, pp. 64-72.

Camara, Dr. Esperanza. “Last Judgment: Essay by Dr. Esperanza Camara.” Khan Academy.org. 2017. https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/high-renflorence-rome/michelangelo/a/michelangelo-last-judgment. Accessed 15 February 2017

Cartwright, Mark. “Greek Sculpture.” Ancient History Encyclopedia,

http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Sculpture/. Accessed 15 February 2017.

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Dibble, Harold L. “Paleolithic Archaeology”. Expedition Magazine, vol. 34, no. 3, 1992. http://www.penn.museum/sites/expedition/?p=4218. Accessed 14 February 2017

Dixson, Alan F., and Barnaby J. Dixson. “Venus Figurines of the European Paleolithic: Symbols of Fertility or Attractiveness?” Journal of Anthropology, Article ID 569120, 2011, pp. 1-11.

Essential Humanities. “Stone Age Art. 2008-2013.”

http://www.essential-humanities.net/art-overview/stone-age/. Accessed 15 February

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Finnan, Vincent. “Northern Renaissance Art: The Flemish Masters.” Italian-Renaissance

Art.com, http://www.italian-renaissance-art.com/Northern-Renaissance Art.html. Accessed 15 February 2017.

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http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/Arts/KleobisBiton.html. Accessed 15 February 2017

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Art History. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/myce/hd_myce.htm.

Accessed 14 February 2017.

Italian Renaissance Editors. “Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper.” Italian Renaissance.org, http://www.italianrenaissance.org/a-closerlook-leonardo-da-vincis-last-supper/. Accessed 15 February 2017.

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https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ancient-art-civilizations/egypt-art/predynastic-old-kingdom/a/palette-of-king-narmer. Accessed 14 February 2017.

Lloyd, Seton H.F. “Mesopotamian Art and Architecture.” Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Com,

https://www.britannica.com/art/Mesopotamian-art. Accessed 15 February 2017.

Ministry of Culture and Sports.”The Palakaistro Kouros.” http://odysseus.culture.gr/h/4/eh430.jsp?obj_id=4748. Accessed 14 February 2017.

Visual Arts Editors. “Encyclopedia of Ancient Art.” Visual Arts.com,

http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/ancient-art/htm. Accessed 14 February 2017.