through western eyes there are many versions of history. often, the last person to tell the story, creates the definitive history. this is particularly true when long time spans are involved and multicultural influences are at work. histories should be prefaced by the phrase, “from my point of view…………………” and so it is with art history. its origin, development and influence can be assessed differently by different observers who’s particular backgrounds and experiences shape their understanding. today, i will discuss the development of eurocentric, or western art history and its recognition and integration with the broader world. i want to acknowledge our narrow western view and its failure, until recently, to recognize, accept and …show more content…
in early history we hadn’t thought about it. things just “were.” decorated objects were plentiful. often they had religious, funerary or utilitarian purpose. paintings in churches were for the glory of god. people didn’t have paintings on their castle walls. there were artisans, but not a culture of individuals who produced art for its own sake- artists. it wasn’t until the 14th century that we began to write and think about art as a separate category of things. mimetic art looking backwards, we can see that there came into being a master narrative; that is, a set of rules and ideas which allowed one to identify art and comment on its quality and value. the art object which looked most like the”real” object won the prize. this narrative was known as the mimetic approach. artists strove to capture subjects in detail and capture reality. (i think about dutch paintings of dead birds and fruit in the 17th century.) also, romanticism played a part, with historic scenes and religious themes. beautifully painted, there was an air of distance and objectification about the work. modernism in the mid-19th century, the master narrative and rules for thinking about visual arts changed. the age of modernism began, not only in art, but in the western world. the industrial revolution, age of invention, technological advances (such as photography), philosophical and
"Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach, 5th Edition. "Exploring Art: A Global, Thematic Approach: Margaret Lazzari, Dona Schlesier: 9781285858166: Amazon.com: Books. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 July
Thousands of years ago, before artists’ work fell into the category and style of art that existed during their time period, art was portrayed mostly through carved slabs or marble or stone. Art has existed since years before the Common Era and date all the way back to prehistory. It has helped historians and scientists understand the lifestyles in which past civilizations had followed. In Ancient Rome and Greece, for example, many artists sculpted religious figures in accordance to their polytheistic, mythological beliefs. Almost every artist, if not all, of these sculptures remains unknown to this day but their work lives on to inspire others. One work in particular that
In the contemplation of art, or rather the conceptually intangible definition it currently possess, it is imperative to be mindful that “art” has been utilized as a promotional device, ceremonial item, aesthetically purposed article or perhaps none of these or all. It is because of this vague term that Carolyn Dean, in her text, “The Trouble with (The Term) Art”, makes a case for the consequences of applying the term “art” in societies that lacked such a notion which also accounts for the Western-centric lens the field intrinsically utilizes when viewing non-Western art. The claim is deftly supported by the utilization of expert accounts in the subject, alternative perspectives for what is considered the current norm, and self-examining questions,
There are several historical, economic, and cultural events that caused the people of this time to look at life in a new way, and thus, art to be
Art by its nature is a subject of the philosophical, social, economic, political or religious context surrounding its creator. More often than not, a work of art addresses a specific topic or somewhat revolves around a particular person. Therefore, it is impossible to separate the context of a piece of painting, either historical or cultural, to its intrinsic value or the artwork's meaning. On the other hand, different cultures and time utilized specific conventions that govern the representation of objects of creativity. This essay highlights various pieces of art and their relationship to particular cultural, political, economic, or social settings. Moreover, it pinpoints how different times influence art presentation.
In Fred Kleiner’s Gardner’s Art Through the Ages, he has listed some of the oldest and most ancient works of art discovered from different archeological site, which were later transferred to various museums. As we delve deeper into the chapters, we discover how art forms evolve across different time lines – from the art of the Paleolithic period to the arts of the near-East and Egypt. The works of art across the different timelines also indicate the kind of culture people have, because such culture can be seen in how they present their arts. Therefore, there is a clear development that is happening back then, because of the evolution of the arts and the presentation of the artists based on their culture. Taking everything into consideration, this project aims to discuss how arts develop throughout the different timelines – the Paleolithic period and the Ancient near-East and Egypt – and how such art forms present the cultural context of the artists.
How does one re-work history? Do they re-work the message around it or do they re-work culture that surrounds it. In this essay we will look at two artists that reshape and re contextualize historical works. They create a meaning that forms a new genealogy around the image, creating a new subject of discussion.
Art is a human construct, it is bound to the artist that creates it just like each person is bound to the age in which they live. Art is as much a part of the artist, as words are part of the person that spoke them. It is the Human Spirit to want to progress from your predecessor, to use your forerunner's knowledge to break away and accomplish more. Art, being intrinsically entertained with the Human Spirit follows this trend. Each style having a base of knowledge from a previous style, but instead of replicating it, taking it further. Thus art reflects the Human Spirit's want to progress as much as it reflects the artist that created it and the time it was created in.
human perceptions were back then, and particularly their artistic sense of the world around them.
It seems that almost all early art has its roots in religion. The Christians used it, as well as the Taoists, Buddhists, Hindu, Jewish, and Muslims. They all used decoration, sculpture, architecture, and painting to depict their faiths in a higher power. Art was a reminder of good and evil, life and death.
The Rise of Christianity and its Effect on Art Art is defined as “something that is created with imagination and skill and that is beautiful or that expresses important ideas or feelings (definition of art by Merriam-Webster, n. d. para 2)”. Expression through drawing, painting, or sculpting has been a part of man’s history since the first cave drawings centuries ago. Different eras in time and civilizations have played a major role in art and how it was depicted.
was most pleasing to the eye and wanted to accentuate that beauty and deliver it through art.
Throughout the vast history of art, historians can find connections throughout the centuries. Artists from the beginning of humankind have been inspired by the world around them. From the Apollo 11 stones to present day, history and culture have provided inspiration and have been the focus of various pieces. Examining artwork from the 15th-18th century, viewers can be shown a whole world that would be unknown to us without these artist’s contributions. History, religion, and cultural events have sculpted the art world, and we can observe this through many pieces during the 15th-18th centuries.
When someone is presented with the word “art” many different definitions can come to mind. When most people in the United States think of art, they think of a painting on a wall or a sculpture in a museum. Before there was museum to go to, Native people were creating art that told stories and explained the histories of where they came from. Native people began expressing themselves through art by using natural resources such as seashells, cooper, wood from trees, plants, animal’s skins and furs, and other accessible items. Once the Europeans made their way to the Americas, they introduced new materials such as glass, beads, metal, and cloth to Native people to explore even more art forms. But before the Europeans began to lead native people towards more contemporary art, Plains people were expressing themselves through many different types of art such as rock, hide, beads, and pipes.
The history of art dates back to ancient times. Artwork can be, and was, found around the world. What makes art interesting is that it can be created in any way, shape or form with any materials. It seems that the artwork can also tell us a lot about the artist. Art seems to be simply, a direct, visual reflection of the artist’s life. Therefore, one can assume that an artist’s life experiences and beliefs directly influence their art. If we look at examples from different periods of art we will be able to see the connection between the artist and the art.