Art History Media Styles Purpose Significant Artists

Renaissance Artists employed Renaissance art is The Leonardo da Vinci, known

oil paint, characterized by Renaissance art for the Mona Lisa and The
emerged after the frescoes, and realism, celebrated Last Supper; Michelangelo,
Black Death (1347- marble perspective, and human
1351) and the complex experience
decline of compositions. and the beauty
feudalism, fueled Artists studied of the world,
by expanding cities anatomy and light featuring
and trade. to create lifelike religious
figures and themes
environments. alongside
portraits and
scenes of
everyday life.

Mannerism Mannerist artists elongated forms, The purpose of Parmigianino, known for
primarily used oil exaggerated Mannerist art Madonna with the Long
was an artistic paint, fresco, and poses, and was to provoke Neck,
movement that sculpture. unusual spatial thought and
emerged in Europe relationships. evoke emotion Jacopo Pontormo,
during the late Mannerist rather than recognized for The
Renaissance, compositions often portray reality, Deposition from the Cross
around the 1520s, appear which often
lasting into the 16th unbalanced or leads to
century. crowded, creating confusion.
a sense of tension.

Baroque oil paints, marble, Baroque artists Artists often Caravaggio, celebrated for
and frescoes. often used depicted his dramatic use of light and
emerged in Europe chiaroscuro, religious shadow in The Calling of
during the late 16th which creates themes, Saint Matthew,
century and lasted strong contrasts historical
into the early 18th between light and events, and Peter Paul Rubens, a
century, following dark to show mythological master of color and
the Renaissance. depth, and scenes. The movement in The Elevation
The term tenebrism, which purpose was of the Cross.
"Baroque" is features dramatic not only to
derived from the lighting that beautify but
Portuguese word highlights certain also to convey
"barroco," areas while leaving messages and
meaning "irregular much in shadow. provoke thought
pearl," reflecting among viewers.
the ornate and
elaborate style of
this period.

Rococo Rococo artists The style is known evoke feelings François Boucher
employed for its intricate of joy and depicted mythological
emerged in early painting, designs, soft intimacy. It was subjects with sensuality
18th-century sculpture, and colors, and often created such as in La Cage or The
France and is decorative arts. asymmetrical for private Cage.
known for its Common materials shapes. spaces, such as
ornate, decorative included oil paint, salons and
style. It often pastel, and palaces, where
features themes of porcelain. the elite could
love, nature, and gather and
playful elegance. enjoy the
beauty of their
surroundings.

Neo-classicism Neo-Classical Neo-Classicism is The primary Jacques-Louis David,

artists typically marked by its purpose of Neo- known for his powerful
used oil paint, emphasis on Classical art composition and historical
was an artistic marble, and symmetry, was to educate subject in The Death of
movement from the bronze. They proportion, and and inspire Socrates,
late 18th to early employed minimalism. Artists viewers.
19th century that techniques such as often depict scenes Artworks were Jean-AugusteDominique
revived classical linear perspective from mythology, meant to Ingres, renowned for his
styles from ancient and chiaroscuro history, and convey moral portraits and depictions of
Greece and Rome. (the treatment of literature, focusing messages and women, like La Grande
light and shadow) on moral values celebrate Odalisque.
to create depth and and patriotic virtues such
realism. themes. as courage,
loyalty, and
sacrifice

Romanticism Romantic artists common The movement Eugène Delacroix was

used oil paint, techniques celebrated renowned for his vibrant
was an artistic and watercolor, and included individualism, work Liberty Leading the
cultural movement lithograph. chiaroscuro and focusing on People.
that began in the dynamic personal
late 18th century compositions that experiences
and lasted into the suggested and the distinct
mid-19th century. movement. perspectives of
It emerged as a Romantic art often artists.
reaction to the strict featured fantasy,
rules of mythology, and
Neoclassicism. the supernatural,
Romantic artists with nature
sought to express playing a central
their feelings and role in stunning
explore the beauty landscapes that
of the world highlighted its
around them. beauty and sublime
elements like
storms and
mountains

Realism Realist artists often Realism is The primary Gustave Courbet, famous
used oil paint on characterized by purpose of for The Stone Breakers,
is an important art canvas, but they detailed and Realism was to which portrays laborers at
movement that also experimented unembellished portray life work,
emerged in the with lithography depictions of without
mid-19th century and photography subjects. Artists idealization. Jean-François Millet,
as a reaction to capture aimed for This included known for The Gleaners,
against everyday moments. naturalism, using addressing
Romanticism and light and shadow to socio-political
Neoclassicism. create depth and issues such as
Artists sought to dimension. poverty, labor,
represent the and social
realities of life, injustice.
focusing on the
struggles and
experiences of
common people.

Impressionism oil paints on This movement is The goal of Claude Monet was known
canvas, allowing characterized by Impressionism for his series capturing the
was a major art for rich textures loose brushwork was to convey same scene at different
movement that and colors. They and a focus on the artist's times of day, like Water
began in late 19th- employed light. Artists immediate Lilies.
century France, techniques like frequently painted perception of a
known for its focus broken color and en plein air scene rather
on light and color. impasto, where (outdoors) to than an
It represented a paint is applied capture the ever- accurate
shift from traditional thickly to create a changing qualities depiction. This
art, with artists threedimensional of light and focus on
using quick effect. atmosphere. personal
brushstrokes and experience and
vibrant colors to emotion was
depict everyday revolutionary.
life and nature. The
term
"Impressionism"
comes from Claude
Monet's painting
“Impression,
Sunrise,” which
reflects the
movement's aim to
capture fleeting
moments. T

Post- Artists commonly The movement is Post- Vincent van Gogh, known
Impressionism used oil paint, but known for its bold Impressionists for his swirling brushstrokes
they also colors and wanted to and vivid colors in The
emerged in the late experimented expressive convey more Starry Night,
19th century, with watercolor brushwork. Artists profound
roughly from 1886 and pastel. often used thick emotional Paul Cézanne, who
to 1905, as a layers of paint experiences emphasized structure and
reaction against the (impasto) to and ideas. form by breaking objects
limitations of create texture. into geometric shapes, as
Impressionism. seen in The Basket of
While Apples.
Impressionism
focused on
capturing light and
color in everyday
scenes, Post-
Impressionists
aimed to express
deeper emotions
and ideas through
their work.

Neo- Neo-Impressionist pointillism. This to create a Georges Seurat, who

Impressionism artists primarily style involves more dynamic aimed to create a scientific
used oil paint on placing tiny dots of and scientific approach to color theory.
emerged in the late canvas. They often color next to each representation His painting A Sunday
19th century, experimented other, allowing the of light and Afternoon on the Island of
specifically in the with color and viewer's eye to color. Artists La Grande Jatte is a prime
1880s. It was a texture, using blend them from a intended to example of Pointillism.
reaction to small, distinct dots distance. provoke
Impressionism, or strokes of paint. emotional
which focused on responses
capturing light through color
and movement. harmony and
the
arrangement of
forms.

Symbolism Symbolist artists The style is The primary Paul Gauguin was a
utilized poetry characterized by purpose of notable figure known for his
was an artistic and and theater. They dreamlike Symbolism was painting, Where Do We
literary movement often experimented imagery, vivid to convey the Come From? What Are
that emerged in with color, light, colors, and an inexpressible. We? Where Are We Going?
the late 19th and form to evoke emphasis on the Artists and
century, primarily emotions and emotional writers aim to
in France. It aimed convey abstract experience rather capture
to express ideas ideas. than realistic feelings,
and emotions representation. dreams, and
through symbols the
rather than direct subconscious
representation. mind. It allows
This movement viewers and
was a reaction readers to
against realism and interpret the
naturalism, which work personally.
focused on
depicting the world
as it is. Symbolism
encourages
viewers and
readers to explore
deeper meanings
behind the artwork
or text.

Art Nouveau artists employed The style is Art Nouveau Gustav Klimt, known for
painting, characterized by its aimed to his richly decorative
was an influential sculpture, flowing, organic integrate art painting The Kiss, and
art movement that architecture, and lines and motifs into everyday Antoni Gaudí, an architect
emerged in the decorative arts. inspired by life. The goal famous for buildings like La
late 19th century They often used flowers, plants, was to elevate Sagrada Família in
and lasted into the materials like and other natural decorative arts Barcelona, which feature
early 20th century. glass, iron, and forms. Swirling to the same fluid lines and organic forms
Art Nouveau sought ceramics to create shapes and status as fine of Art Nouveau
to create a new intricate designs. asymmetrical arts, making
aesthetic that designs are beautiful objects
broke away from common, utilizing accessible to
traditional forms. harmony with everyone.
Its name, which nature.
means "New Art" in
French, represents
a desire for
innovation in art,
architecture, and
design

Fauvism Fauvists primarily Fauvism featured The purpose of Henri Matisse, known for
used oil paints on bold, non- Fauvism was Woman with a Hat,
was an influential canvas, but they naturalistic not to depict
art movement that also experimented colors, with artists the world André Derain was
emerged in the with other materials applying paint accurately but recognized for Charing
early 20th century, and techniques. directly from the to evoke Cross Bridge.
primarily in France. The emphasis tube. This feelings and
The term was on color technique results in emotions. The
"Fauvism" comes rather than detailed striking contrasts artists believed
from the French representation and vibrant that color
word "fauves," compositions could express
meaning "wild what words
beasts." This could not.
name reflects the
vivid colors and
bold brushstrokes
used by the artists
of this movement.

Expressionism Artists employed The style is often The primary Edvard Munch, whose
painting, marked by bold objective was to painting The Scream
- was an influential literature, theater, colors, convey epitomizes existential
art movement that and film. Common exaggerated emotional dread,
emerged in the media included oil forms, and responses and
early 20th century, paints, woodcuts, distorted provoke thought Wassily Kandinsky, known
particularly in and charcoal. perspectives. This regarding for his abstract works that
Germany. The technique human convey spiritual
movement sought emphasizes existence and experiences, such as in
to express the feelings over society's issues Composition VII.
anxieties and realistic
turmoil of the representation.
modern world.

Cubism used oil paint on • Analytic Cubism to challenge • Pablo Picasso, whose
canvas but also (1907-1912) conventional work Les Demoiselles d
- was an influential experimented emphasized forms of ‘Avignon showcased
art movement that deconstructing representation.
emerged in the with collage and objects into It aimed to fragmented forms and bold
early 20th century, mixed media. geometric shapes depict subjects compositions,
primarily between and showing them in a way that
1907 and 1917. from various reflected the
angles, using a complexity of • Georges Braque, who
muted color palette modern life, developed Violin and
of browns and encouraging Candlestick.
grays. viewers to
engage with art
• Synthetic in a new
Cubism (1912- manner.
1914) introduced
brighter colors,
textures, and
collage elements,
resulting in more
vibrant and layered
artworks.

Futurism Futurists Art styles Umberto

Futurism–aimed
experimented with associated with to reject the Umberto Boccioni, a
- was an influential painting, Futurism include past and prominent painter, and
art movement that sculpture, and Cubism and celebrate the sculptor, was noted for his
began in Italy in the literature. They Abstract art future, which work The City Rises, which
early 20th century. used bold colors, inspired embodies Futurism's
It emerged during a fragmented excitement and emphasis on dynamism and
time of great forms, and encouraged vitality, and
technological multiple audiences to
advancements perspectives to embrace Giacomo Balla, known for
and social change. convey motion change. his dynamic use of color
The movement and energy. and light, as seen in his
focused on themes painting Dynamism of a
of speed, violence, Dog on a Leash, which
and modernity. captures the movement of a
dog and its owner.

Early Modern Art

The Early Modern Period connects the Renaissance to the Baroque movements. It emphasizes
classical ideals and humanism, with innovations in techniques such as perspective and light.
This period laid the foundation for modern artistic expression after significant social and political
changes in Europe.
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20th Century Art
20th-century art movements, including Fauvism, Expressionism, Cubism, and Futurism,
introduced new ways of creating art in response to rapid social and technological changes.