1. European Art Timelines

European art history is traditionally divided into three main periods:

Understanding these timelines helps students place artists, movements, and artworks in their proper historical context.

2. Classical Art (Greek & Roman)

Classical art is considered the foundation of European visual arts. Its core principles include:

a) Idealism

• Artists aimed to represent perfect proportions and beauty, not just reality.

• Example: Greek sculptures like Discobolus (The Discus Thrower) show idealized human forms.

b) Human Anatomy

• Careful study of the human body; muscles and posture were accurately depicted.

• Roman copies of Greek statues emphasize anatomical precision.

c) Architecture

• Greek and Roman buildings had defining elements: columns, pediments, arches, and domes.

• Famous examples: Parthenon (Greece), Pantheon (Rome).

d) Functions

• Civic: public monuments celebrating leaders or victories.

• Religious: temples, statues of gods and goddesses.

• Educational: moral and cultural lessons through sculpture and frescoes.

3. Renaissance Art (14th – 17th Century)

The Renaissance marked a rebirth of classical ideals, combined with new philosophies like humanism, which emphasized the value of humans and education.

a) Humanism

• Art focused on human experience, emotion, and individuality.

• Religious themes persisted, but humans became central subjects.

b) Perspective

• Introduction of linear perspective by artists like Filippo Brunelleschi.

• Created the illusion of depth in paintings; transformed two-dimensional surfaces into realistic spaces.

c) Major Artists

• Leonardo da Vinci: Mona Lisa, The Last Supper – combined science, anatomy, and art.

• Michelangelo: David, Sistine Chapel ceiling – monumental works showing idealized human figures.

• Raphael: Balanced compositions and serene beauty.

d) Functions

• Religious: Church commissions, altarpieces, frescoes.

• Educational: Spread knowledge and humanist ideas through art.

• Political: Showed the wealth and influence of patrons like the Medici family.

4. 20th Century Art Movements (Modern Art)

The 20th century brought experimentation and rebellion against classical and Renaissance traditions. Major movements include:

Key Idea: Modern movements often prioritized emotion, imagination, and individual expression over realism.