ART APPRECIATION (ARTAPP030)
Chapter 2
THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ART
In this chapter, you will learn about the historical development of visual arts such as
painting, architecture, and sculpture. You will gain knowledge and understanding about how
artists conceptualize and realize their art forms based on the influences in the society and
the progress of selected visual arts from the pre – historic period to the modern period.
Also, you can classify the different works of arts by citing their characteristics based on the
influences of the artists in a particular period. Moreover, you can present your own exhibits
of artworks based on the different art movements by citing the influences and
characteristics of a specific art movement.
At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
1. distinguish the underlying history and philosophy of the art period or era;
2. identify the characteristics, dominant theme, famous artists and their masterpieces
of the art period or era.
3. research about the famous artists and their masterpieces in each period/era.
4. gather art clips/pictures of the masterpieces of famous artists and provide data
describing the period of such art existence.
INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS: PAINTING,
ARCHITECTURE, AND SCULPTURE
Prehistoric Period/Cave Art
The history of painting spans all cultures and dates back to the time of the prehistoric men
who produced their own artifacts. The oldest known paintings believed to be about 32,00
years old are found at the Grotte-Vhauvet in France and depict horse, rhinoceros, lions,
buffalos, and mammoths (Marcos, 2006 as cited by Menoy, 2014). There are also cave
paintings of antelopes in Altamira, Spain (Menoy, 2014). In fact, there were numerous
paintings and engravings which were found in Europe caves and shelters during the Ice Age
roughly between 40,000 and 14,000 years ago. Most of the cave art consist of paintings
made with either red or black pigments. The reds were made with iron oxides (hematite),
whereas manganese dioxide and charcoal were used for the blacks. Cave art is considered to
be either or both religious or symbolic functions. According to Jean Clottis, in her article,
some experts believed that its characteristics have been created within the framework of
Shamanic beliefs and practices (Aller and Autida, 2018).
Egyptian Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture
The Egyptian painting is associated with pre-historic times. It focuses more on expressions of
concepts rather than a record of sensory experience and mastery over reality. Hieroglyphics,
the Egyptian writing system was a form of picture writing and it is considered as the first art
form that is presented with images. The three stages in the development of Egyptian painting
are:
a. Old Kingdom. Painting in this period is associated with worship and life after
death
b. Middle Kingdom. Painting in this period is associated with scenes from local wars,
animal life, dancing, and hunting scenes.
c. New Kingdom. Painting in this period is found in rock tombs depicting scenes of
funerals and pilgrimages.
The Egyptian architects and engineers are skillful in building temples, palaces, and funeral
tomb of the pharaohs. Egyptian architects were the first to use stone column in building
homes. They use simple yet powerful tools; they build large structure of stones with accuracy
and precision by multitude of workers and construction details to ensure a good quality of
work, and pure geometric forms in the making of the buildings and tombs. Thus, most of the
architectural styles common to Egyptian buildings, temples, tombs, and palaces include: most
temples are made of stones instead of bricks for durability purposes, most of the sculptures
of the pharaohs are done in granite, mammoth rectangular plan of limestone with stopping
pylons with gorge molding, bud and flower capitals from post-lintel-construction and
monumental obelisks and sphinxes fronting pylons.
Egyptian pyramids were built during the old and middle kingdoms. The first regarded as the
“true pyramid” was built in Sakkara for King Dioser. It is called as the step pyramid due to its
shape resembling steps. Later, Egyptians built pyramids with four smooth faces during the 4th
dynasty. One of the most famous pyramids built by King Cheops about 4, 500 years ago is the
Great Pyramid of Giza (the last of the Seven Wonders of the World).
Egyptians also built temples which are considered to be the home of the gods. It is in the
temples where Egyptians worshipped their gods and perform rites for good growing and
abundance of their crops and for cultivation success.
Egyptian Sculptures are all figurines of the same sizes except the Pharaohs, which emphasis
power. Other characteristics include: compositions are always symmetrical and perfectly
arranged, solemn and ceremonious, and utilitarian in nature.
In general, Egyptian art characteristics include: (1) art is the propagandistic support of the
power of the state religion, (2) figures show position of frontality and fixed concepts are
repeated, (3) symbolic geometry, (4) animals and plants are commonly the subjects of their
paintings and even on ceramics, and (5) Egyptian art is religious and serving propaganda.
Sources: http://arthistorysummerize.info/Art./the-egyptian-art/ and http://www.visualartscork.com/ancient-art/egyptian-sculpture.htm#subjects
GREEK PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE
“The Glory that was Greece” was always the title given to Greece because of their great
contribution in the different fields of humanities to world civilization. Greece is considered to
be the birthplace of Western civilization. Thus, most of the achievement of the Greeks in terms
of painting, sculpture, and architecture can still be felt and seen today. Thus, the Greek
incorporated a fundamental principle of their culture, ARETE, meaning EXCELLENCE AND
REACHING ONE’S FULL POTENTIAL.
The development of Greek art can be traced back from the two great civilizations developed
in Crete and in mainland Greece: The Minoan Civilization and Mycenaean Civilization.
Minoan Civilization started in 2,600 BCE led by King Minos. The people during this civilization
have worked with bronze and gold thus, developing a system of writing. During this time, the
Minoans built magnificent palaces which housed the royal families, priests, and the
government. The palace of Knossos is the famous which is a small city consisting of 800
rooms. The walls of the rooms were brightly painted with lively scenes showing men and
women athletes, fanciful animals, and scenes of the daily lives of people. At this point, the
Minoans led by their king, Minos, began to establish maritime activities aside from the
magnificent palaces and buildings that were built; they create fresco paintings, stone carvings,
and ceramics. Thus, the Minoans are skilled artisans for they also made decorated fine pottery,
bronze daggers tools and are exporting honey and olive oil to places such as Egypt, Asia Minor,
Syria, and Greece. The Minoan Civilization declined due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Mycenaean Civilization rule Crete and mainland Greece about 1900 BCE, thus, it is the
dominating force in the Mediterranean. At this time, warrior kings ruled walled cities built
around the palaces at Mycenae, Thebes, and other places in Southern Greece. The first palace
built during this time was investigated by the archaeologist since it was then believed that
Mycenae was the richest and important town. They Mycenaean borrowed from the Minoan
Civilization such that pottery and jewelry that were decorated with design in the Minoan style
and that Mycenaean kings employed Minoan artisans and they took the Minoan’s sea trade to
Italy, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Sicily. The Mycenaean were destroyed by the Dorian which caused
the decline and the downfall of their civilization.
In Greece, the practice of fine art comprised the three basic periods:
1. Archaic Period (c. 650-480 BCE)
It is the period of gradual experimentation.
2. Classical Period (c. 480-323 BCE)
The period witnessed the flowering of mainland Greece power and artistic
dominations.
3. Hellenistic Period (c. 323 -27 BCE)
This period opened with the death of Alexander the Great, massive Greek cultural
influence, the creation of “Greek style Art” and the period of the decline and fall of
Greece and the rise of Rome.
The Archaic Greek Pottery is the most developed art of the pre-Archaic period. It involves large
vases and other vessels which are decorated with linear designs, triangles, zigzags and other
similar shapes. Also, the ceramic figurine painting depicts the Greek fascination with the
human body which is considered to be the noblest subjects in painting and sculpture. The
Archaic Greek Architecture began in 6th and 7th centuries in which stones where used to build
Greek public buildings most especially temples. It relied on simple post-lintel building
techniques and that the Greek architects were the first to base their architectural design in
standard of proportionality. The three orders of the Greek architecture include:
a. Doric. It is the simplest of the three Greek columns with no base and slight tapered
column. It is used in mainland Greece and later Greek settlements in Italy. This type
of column symbolizes the “STRENGTH AND NOBILITY OF THE GREEKS”.
b. Ionic. It comprised of hair like design on both side of the capital. It is used in
buildings along with the west coast of Turkey and the Aegean Islands. The column
signifies “TENDERNESS AND BEING NATURAL OF THE GREEKS”.
c. Corinthian. It comprised of a flowerlike design placed on a basket on its capital. The
column symbolizes the “ANXIETY AND INSECURETIES OF THE GREEKS”.
The Archaic Greek Sculpture is heavily influenced by the Egyptian sculpture as well as the
Syrian techniques. It created stone friezes, statues in stone, terracotta and bronze and small
works made up of ivory and bones. Marble and wooden sculptures were colored with tempera
and encaustics.
The Archaic Greek Painting involves Fresco painting which is decorated on temples,
buildings, and tombs.
The Classical Greek Sculpture subjects were usually gods and goddesses and bronze became
the main medium for free-standing works and anatomy become more accurate since the
Greek artists starts to render human and animal forms in a realistic manner. It is less rigid than
the Archaic sculpture. Artworks in this period have featured flexed knees, turned heads, and
contemplative expressions which were regarded as attempts to suggest motion, thoughts
and naturalism.
On the other hand, the Hellenistic Sculpture is much more varied and extreme than the
sculptures that are produced during the Classical period. Some of the most beautiful pieces of
Greek statuary during this period include: Nike of Samonthrace, the Dying Gaul, Apollo
Belvedere, and the Lacoön Group, date back to Hellenistic times.
Hellenistic Sculpture (323 B.C. to 31 B.C.) was much more varied and extreme than sculpture
produced during the Classical period. Some of the most beautiful pieces of Greek statuary,
including Nike of Samonthrace, the Dying Gaul, Apollo Belvedere , and the Lacoön Group, date
back to Hellenistic times.
With the great achievements of the Greeks in Arts, it produced five Wonders of the World
namely: Colossus of Rhodes, Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia,
Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Lighthouse of Alexandria which ruins and even fragments have
been survived at this time (Aller and Autida, 2018).
MEDIEVAL PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE
Medieval art has continually advanced throughout the medieval times in fact some of the
advances are brought about by the emergence of the Pre-renaissance time. Most of the
artworks produced in this time are purely religious artworks which came in different forms
such as mosaics, manuscripts, and fresco paintings which mostly can be found in churches.
Medieval art includes the use of vivid colors, most masterpieces where created mainly for
churches where arts are made to glorify God rather than for aesthetic appeal and
appreciation, sculpture appear to be larger than other figures surrounding, and art subjects
mostly revolved around holy family and saints although some sculptures and paintings
depict war scenes. Since there are so many types of medieval arts, historians classify them
according to their major periods of the middle ages along with their styles. These include:
early Christian art, Migration Period art, Byzantine art, Insular art, Pre-Romanesque,
Romanesque and Gothic art. Anglo-saxon art and Norse art where also included as based on
their cultures and nations together with their distinctive styles.
The Anglo-saxon Art used bright and vivid colors in illustrating their manuscripts. They reflect
the migration period towards the British Isle. Also, their metal works were truly fine and highly
intricate works of art.
The Romanesque Art is greatly influenced by the Byzantine art. It is characterized by the
preservation of iconic biblical events that took place and kept records of important figures
such as influential leaders of their times. Romanesque art also is characterized by its beautiful
styles in painting and sculpture. Moreover, it shows illuminated Romanesque manuscripts
with lavish color decoration which can be seen in the bibles and also colored décors in capital
columns showing excitement, great powers, and mastery designs and also it artworks depict
scenes from several carved figures.
The Byzantine Art is developed from the arts of the Roman Empire embracing its classical
heritage; it is greatly influenced by the Ancient Greek and Egyptians arts. Byzantine art is
mostly concerned with religious expressions, translation of the church teachings into artistic
forms such as paintings, sculptures, and mosaics. Thus, artworks produced during this time
are highly sophisticated artistic design and it is therefore highly revival of the classical
aesthetics.
The Gothic Art emerged during the Medieval Gothic period that lasted for more than 200
years. It is a style of Medieval art which emerged in northern France preceding to the
Romanesque Art in the early 12th century. Gothic art painting is presented in a more
animated facial expressions and pose. Also, art forms in this period are fresco sculpture,
illuminated manuscripts, panel paintings, and stained glass painting of both secular and
Christian essence. (http://www.medievalchronicles.com/medieval-art/gothic-art/).
ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Islamic Architecture is defined as the building traditions of Muslim populations of the Middle
East and any countries wherein the religion Islam has been dominant from the 7th century on.
Most common types of Islamic Architectures include: (1) Mosque, it is the Muslim Center and
place of worship, (2) Madrasah, it is the Muslim’s public school, (3) Hammam, it is a structural
design for a hot bathhouse, (4) Caravanserai, it refers to a roadside inn for travelers, (5)
Casbah/ Citadel, it a fortress, and (5) Mausoleum, it is a tomb or a monument. Islamic
architecture consists of a wide range of both secular and religious styles from the foundation
of Islam to the present day, thus, it influences the design and construction of buildings and
structures as far Islamic culture. (http://muslimheritage.com/article/introductionislamicarchitecture)
In the Philippines especially in Mindanao, a lot of mosques were built famous of it geometric
designs. Hence, the integration of Chinese and Muslim forms and style elements is a
characteristic feature of the early church building. Common Interpretations of Islamic
architecture include: the concept of Allah’s infinite power is manifested in designs and
repeating themes, human and animal forms are rarely depicted in decorative arts as Allah’s
work is matchless, the architecture of Islam focused on interior rather than exterior space,
and the building of impressive domes, minarets, and large courtyards are intended to convey
power (Aller and Autida, 2018).
RENAISSANCE PERIOD
The word Renaissance is derived from the Latin word “RENASCERE” which means “rebirth
“or “revival”. Thus, this period marks the revival or rebirth of cultural awareness which
occurred in the 14th to 15th century. At this period of time, artworks are reverted back to
Greek and Roman art influences. More so, it is then the revival of classical art, literature,
architecture, and learning which originated in Italy and later spread in some parts in Europe.
Most of the artworks in this period emphasizes on the following: sciences, humans and their
environment and philosophy. Thus, it concentrates much on religious subject matters which
contain symbols and are realistic. Moreover, it concerns more about life towards new
discoveries, it is more sacred or biblical and even nude. Renaissance art is divided into three
periods:
a. Early Renaissance. This period characterized by simplicity, gesture, and expression
styles of painting. Thus, paintings in this period use man and fresco techniques.
b. High Renaissance. The center of this period is in Florence, Venice, and Rome. The
characteristics of the art works in this period include: deepening of the pictorial
space, and making the sky more dramatic with dark cloud.
c. Late Renaissance /Mannerism Period. The period characterized human figures as the
subject matter of their artworks. Artists use warm and sensual colors and oil painting
in producing such work of arts (Aller and Autida, 2018).
MANNERISM PERIOD
After the Renaissance period, it is followed by the Mannerism art movement. Mannerism is
derived from the Italian word “MANIERA” meaning MANNER or STYLE, a term which
denoting to exaggerated, foreshortening and elongated features. Thus, concepts of
artworks during this period are into distorting elements to produce drama, unusual lighting
effects, frequent eroticism, bright colors, fine detail, spatial, scenic and dramatic distorted
poses, perfect elegance and mathematical in nature. Artists belonged in this period create
works of art aims to renew religious spirit. Hence, it is known to be the first international
style of Western Art which is then also belongs to the Late Renaissance period.
BAROQUE PERIOD
This particular art movement gives emphasis on exaggerated motion, easily interrupted
details; thus, artworks in this period produce drama, grandeur, tension, exuberance,
dramatic poses and even passionate expressions. Also, during this period, art forms are
more theatrical, having elaborate ornamentation, religious grandeur and even dynamic.
Baroque art movement flourished in the following countries: Italy, Spain, Flanders (Southern
Netherlands), Dutch Republic (Northern Netherlands), France, and England. This particular
art movement coincides with the worldwide mercantilism, age of exploration, advances in
shipbuilding, extensive voyaging and improved cartography. Characteristics of Baroque in
Italy, Spain and Flanders are the following: didactic to spiritual purposes, possessing
theatrical effects, grand buildings, and strongly supported by the Pope. Characteristics of
Baroque art in France include: opulence, identified with absolutism, being simplistic and
dignified.
ROCOCO PERIOD
It is an art movement that is the extension of the Baroque Period which flourished in France.
The term Rococo was derived from the French Word, “ROCAILLE” which means bits of rocky
decorations which can be found in a 16th century architectural ideas. Common characteristics
of the art works found in this period are: the use of light or pastel colors, curvaceous forms,
graceful lines, cherubs with myths of love, highly ornate and exquisite study of details which
these are found in furniture, panels, vases, and urns. Moreover, subjects of the artworks in
period are always in the center of the canvass.
NEO- CLASSICISM PERIOD
It is a movement in the western art that coincides with the Age of Enlightenment during the
18th century. It is the period of revival of the styles and spirit of classical antiquity especially
in the field of architecture. Moreover, the artworks in this period are inspired mainly
excavated figurines and sculptures in Roman and Greek colony archaeological sites and also
the revival of the Roman and Greek traditions. Characteristics of the artworks found in this
period include: precise details, dynamism, elegance and simplicity, strong horizontal and
vertical lines, shallow spaces, sober colors, and clarity in forms.
ROMANTICISM PERIOD
It is the art movement began in Germany and England and later spread throughout the
different parts of Europe. It is the style of art that found its subject in the world of dramatic
and exotic; a style of art and literature which draws on the imagination rather than
nationalism, thus, appealed to the emotions of the audience. This particular art movement
gives emphasis in the painter’s reaction to the past events, peoples, and landscapes.
Romantic art forms provide deep love of nature and concerns about the metamorphosis of
the world into a new golden age in the powers of the imagination. Moreover, it also depicts
realistic figures with psychological attitudes. Common characteristics of artworks in this
period also include: individualism, exoticism, and of emotions and is the revival of Gothic.
THE MODERN PERIOD
It is the art movement which offers unlimited opportunities for artists and lovers; hence, many
mediums for sculptures are improved during this movement. It is the revolution in sculptural
techniques, methods, subjects, and materials used by the sculptures in their artworks. Under
the modern period, the following art movements include Cubism, Futurism, Constructivism,
Surrealism, and Dadaism. Thus, the primary goal of this movement is to please the public.
Most of the characteristics of the artworks in this period include innovative, free style,
figurative, and confusing.
A. REALISM
It is the one of the modern periods in the art movement which was adopted by a group of
artists in France concerning on representing contemporary subjects in a realistic manner. It
began in 1850s after the 1848 revolution. This movement is recognized as the first modern
movement of art that rejects the traditional forms of art, literature, and social organization;
artworks belong in this period conveys a truthful and objective vision of contemporary life.
Famous Realists artists include:
a. Gustave Courbet. He is a French painter who led the Realism movement in 19th century
French painting. His works include: “YOUNG LADIES OF THE VILLAGE”, and “THE STONE
BREAKERS”
b. Winslow Homer. He is an American landscape painter and printmaker and one of his
masterpieces includes “THE BLUE BOAT”
c. Edward Hopper. He is a prominent American realist painter and printmaker, and he is
famous of his works: “NIGHT HAWKS”, “AUTOMAT”, and “SELF PORTRAIT”
B. IMPRESSIONISM
Next to Realism is Impressionism, a movement that aims to bringing out the effects of
experience upon the artists and audiences’ consciousness. This particular movement started
by Paris-based world, and the name of the movement is derived from the work of Claude
Monet’s “Impression, sunrise”. Moreover, artists in this period use photograph as basis in
creating their artworks, capturing fleeting effects on natural light, sketchy styles that captures
the overall impression of a scene and the momentary effects of the light. Also, paintings
during this period have visible brush strokes, free style common subject matter and element
of crucial human perception and experience and unusual visual angles. The movement of art
form include new inventions like portable and collapsible easels and marine scenes.
Some Impressionist artists include:
a. Oscar Claude Monet. He is the founder of the French Impressionist Painting and very
famous of his works, “WATER LILIES” and “THE JAPANESE FOOTBRIDGE”
b. Vincent Van Gogh. He is major impressionist painter and is very famous of his works, “THE
STARRY NIGHT” and “THE POTATO EATERS”
c. Pierre- Auguste- Renoir. He is the artist who helped shape the Impressionist Movement and
he some of his works include: “PONT NEUF” and “BY THE SEASHORE”
d. Edgar Degas. He is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism and most of his works
include: “LITTLE DANCER OF FOURTEEN YEARS”, and “BALLET REHEARSAL”
C. POST-IMPRESSIONISM
It is an art movement that appeared after the Impressionism movement, from the word
“POST” means “after”. Thus, it marks the beginning of the modern art. This art movement
under the modern include encompasses a wide range of distinct artistic styles. It is an art form
that looks beyond the natural world, art that is a fascination to foreign cultures and attraction
to the exotic primitive cultures of South Africa. Moreover, artists in this movement use vivid
or arbitrary colors, often thick application of paint, and more emphasis in geometric forms
and with real life subject matters.
Some of the famous post-impressionist artists include:
a. Paul Cezanne. He is famous of his works: “THE CARD PLAYERS”, “CURTAIN”, and “JUG AND
FRUIT”
b. Paul Gaugin. He is famous of his artwork “TAHITIAN WOMEN OF THE BEACH”
D. SYMBOLISM
It is an art movement following the Post- Impressionism which is characterized by fascination
with the inner world of fantasy, emphasis in imagination over the copying of nature and most
of all, from the term itself; it uses symbols in presenting the art subjects. This movement in
France and ideas shared by the artists are the rejection of the Realism. Moreover, artists in
this movement believed that art should represent absolute truth using particular images or
objects with symbolic meaning; thus, giving meaning to objects, events and conditions. The
symbolic movement had its roots in Les Fleurs Du Mal (The Flowers of Evil) by Charles
Baudelaire. As what Confucius said in relation to this movement, “Signs and Symbols rule the
world, not words nor laws”.
Some of the famous artists in this movement include:
a. Gustav Klimt. He is an Austrian symbolist painter who is famous of his masterpieces, “THE
KISS” and “PORTRAIT OF ADELE BLOCK BAUER”
b. Edvard Munch. He is a Norwegian painter famous of his masterpieces; “THE SCREAM”,
“MADONNA”, and “VAMPIRE”
c. Frida Kahlo De Rivera. She is a Mexican painter who is best known for her self-portraits like:
“SELF-PORTRAIT WITH THIRN NECKLACE AND HUMMINGBIRD” and “SELF-PORTRAIT
DEDICATE TO LEON TROTSKY”
d. Gustave Moreau. He is a French symbolist painter whose main emphasis is on the biblical
and mythological figures illustrations. Some of his famous works include: “ZEUS AND
SEMELE”, and “THRACIAN GIRL CARRYING THE HEAD OF ORPHEUS ON HIS LYRE”
E. ART NOVEAU
It is an art movement that flourished between 1890 to 1910 in Europe and the United States.
This art movement refers to the “NEW STYLE” and “NEW ART”. This art is characterized by its
use of long, sinuous organic lines which is most often engaged in jewelry, architecture, interior
design, posters, and illustrations. Also, this movement marks the beginning of modernism in
design with intricate lines and flowing curves based on natural forms. As what Gustav Klimt
said, “Art is a line around your thoughts”.
Some of the famous artists in this movement include:
a. Alfons Maria Mucha. He is a Czech Art Noveau painter and decorative artist famous of his
works: “THE SLAV EPIC” and “THE SEASONS (Spring, Summer)”.
b. Henri Marie Raymonde De Toulouse- Lautrec Monfa. He is a French painter, printmaker,
draftsman, and illustrator in Paris in the late 19th century famous of his works: “AT THE
MOULIN ROUGE” and “THE HANGOVER”.
c. Aubrey Vincent Beardsley. He is an English illustrator and author and he is famous of his
work “THE PEACOCK SKIRT”.
d. Koloman Moser. He is an Austrian artist in the 20th century graphic art and he is famous of
his works: “FLOWER BASKET”, and “VENUS IN THE GROTTO”.
F. Fauvism
It is an art movement popular in France with the use of vivid colors on subject like pictures of
comfort, leisure, and joy to express feelings. Common characteristics in this movement
include intense bright, clashing colors, distorted forms and perspectives, vigorous brush
styles, flat linear patterns, and bare canvass as part of the overall designs. Moreover, this is
the first 2oth century movement which is inspired by the artworks of Vincent Van Gogh, Paul
Gauguin, Georges Seurat, and Paul Cezanne and from the style of Les Fauves, French for “The
Wild Beasts”.
Some of the famous artists under this movement include:
a. Henri Matisse. He is a French artist known for his use of color and his fluid and his original
craftsmanship. He is famous of his works: “WOMAN WITH A HAT”, and “BLUE NUDE”
b. Andre Derain. He is a French painter, sculptor, and the co-founder of the Fauvism along with
Henri Matisse famous for his works: “PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG GIRL”, and “CHARING CROSS
BRIDGE FISHING BOAT”.
c. Henri Charles Manguin. He is a French painter who is associated with Les Fauves famous for
his works: “NUDE BENEATH THE TREES” and “VIEW OVER GRIMAND”.
G. EXPRESSIONISM
It is an art movement which gives emphasis on emotional experiences and the artists attempt
to depict subjective, personal, and self- expression, and not objective reality. This movement
began in the early 20th century which is centered in Germany and is the movement derived
from Cubism. One of the common characteristics in this art is that, the image of reality is
distorted making it expressive on the artists’ inner feelings; an art which emphasizes extreme
expressive properties of pictorial form to explore subject emotions.
Famous artists in this movement include:
a. August Macke (1887-1914)
He is a German painter who is trained at Dusseldorf Academy and under the Impressionist
which later is under the expressionist. He famous works include: “WOMAN IN GREEN
JACKET”, “PEOPLE BY THE BLUE LAKE”, and “ST. MARY’S HOUSES AND CHIMNEY”
b. Frank Kupka (1871-1957)
He is a Czech artist, member of Ecole de Paris and one of the first painters to produce abstract
expressionist colorism.
H. Cubism
It is an art movement which started in France and was suggested by Henri Matisse in 1909.
The concept behind this art movement is showing the importance of an object through
displaying it from many angles and points of views; thus, objects were broken apart and the
pieces could be viewed. Characteristics of the artworks in this period include abstract forms,
broken mirror effect, geometric and simplified shapes multiple angles and reconstruct
objects; geometric structures usually rendered as a set of discrete plains.
Famous artists under this movement include:
a. Pablo Ruiz Y Picasso. He is a Spanish painter, sculptor, printmaker, ceramicist, stage
designer poet and playwright who spent most his adult life in France. He is very famous of his
works: “THE OLD GUITARIST”, “GUERNICA”, and “LES DEMOISELLES d’ AVIGNON LA
MENINAS”
b. George Braque. He is a major 2oth century French painter, collagist, draftsman, and
printmaker who is very famous of his works: “WOMEN WITH A GUITAR”, “STILL LIFE WITH A
BOTTLE”, and “VIOLIN AND THE CANDLESTICK THE GUITAR”.
I. FUTURISM
It is the art movement in the early part of the 20th century which started in Italy. Italian artists
at this time celebrate the scientific and technological progress of the modern word; thus,
Filippo Tommaso Marinette wrote their manifesto advocating an artistic revolution. The
common characteristics of artworks in this movement focused on speed, power of the
machine and dynamism and energy of the modern world promoting a new taste for energy,
speed and power of modern technology and urban life.
Some of the famous artists during this movement are:
a. Umberto Boccioni. He is an influential Italian painter and sculptor. Some of his famous
works include “DYNAMISM OF THE BIKER” AND “DYNAMISM OF A SOCCER PLAYER
b. Gino Severini. He is an Italian painter and a leading member of the Futurist movement. Some
of his works include: “ARMORED TRAIN IN ACTION” and “DYNAMIC HIEROGLYPHIC OF THE
BAL TABARIN”.
c. Luigi Russolo. He is an Italian Futurist painter, composer, builder of experimental musical
instruments and the author of the manifesto, The Art of Noises. Some of his famous works
include: “CROCIFISSIONE CON LE PIE DONNE” and “TOWER BRIDGE”.
J. CONSTRUCTIVISM
It is an artistic and architectural philosophy which emerged in Russia in the early 20th century.
The concept of this art movement is that arts should serve a social purpose which is beyond
aesthetics. It is the rejection of the idea of autonomous art rather; it focuses on the idea that
art should be constructed. Artworks on this movement focused on abstract with emphasis on
geometric shapes. Moreover, this art movement is a combination of the ideals of Futurism
and Cubism.
Some of the famous artists in this period include:
a. Vladimir Yevgrafovich Tatlin. He is Soviet painter and architect along with Kazimir Malevich;
he is one of the two most important figures in the Soviet avant-garde art movement of the
1920s.
b. Kasimir Malevich. He is a Russian painter and art theoretician who pioneered the geometric
abstract art.
K. DADAISM
It is a European artistic and literary movement that ignores conventional aesthetic and cultural
values producing artworks that are non- sense, no rules, and no values; it is considered as the
first anti-art movement. Artworks in this movement include random or ready- made objects
that make people shock or are offended; thus, it is the rejection of prevailing standards in art
through anti- cultural works.
Some of the famous Dadaist artists include:
a. Henri-Robert-Marcel Duchamp. He is a French-American painter, sculptor, and chess player
who is famous of his work, “NUDE DESCENDING A STAIRCASE”
b. Hans Bellmer. He is a German Artist who is best known for his life-sized pubescent female
dolls produce in 1930. He is very famous of his work: “THE MACHINE GUNNERESS IN A STATE
OF GRACE”
L. SUPREMATISM
It is an art movement founded by Kazimir Severinovich Malevich in Russia in 1931.
Suprematism refers to an abstract art based upon the supremacy of pure artistic feelings
rather than visual depiction of object. Common characteristics of the artworks in this
movement focused on geometric forms like circles, squares, rectangles, and lines that are
painted in limited colors.
Some famous Suprematist artists include:
a. Kazimir Severinovich Malevich. He is a Polish-Russian painter and art theoretician and the
founder of this art movement. He is famous of his work: “WOMEAN PICKING FLOWERS”,
“FOUR SQUARES”, and “BLACK CROSS”
b. El Lissitzky. He is a Russian artist, designer, photographer, typographer, polemicist, and
architect. He is famous of his works: “SELF-PORTRAIT”, and “DESIGNS FOR USSR UNDER
CONSTRUCTION”.
c. Lyubo Sergeyevna Popova. Her famous work includes: “SUBJECT FROM A DYER’S SHOP”
M. DE STIJL (THE STYLE)
De Stijl is a Dutch term for “The Style”, an art and design movement founded in Holland in 1917
by Theo van Doesburg, a Dutch artist, and Piet Mondrian. Artworks in this particular
movement emphasized on the ideal spiritual harmony and order, geometric shapes e.g.
squares and rectangles, simplified visual compositions to the vertical and horizontal directions
with the use of primary or light colors along with black and white.
Some of the famous artists in this movement include:
a. Ilya Bolotowsky. He is a leading early 20th century painter in abstract styles in New York. His
famous works include: “VERTICAL YELLOW PLANE” and “GREY DIAMOND”
b. Max Bill. He is a Swiss architect, artist, painter, typeface designer, and an industrial
engineer. One of his famous works includes: “ENDLOSE TREEPE”
c. Theo van Doesburg. He is a Dutch artist who practiced painting, writing poetry, and
architecture. He is the leader and founder of the De Stijl art movement, and his famous works
include: “ARITHMETIC COMPOSITION”, “CONTRA-COMPOSITION WITH DISSONANCES XVI”
and “PURE PAINTING”.
N. ART DECO
It is a popular art movement that flourished internationally in the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s. This
art style is seen across the spectrum of visual arts such as painting, architecture, sculpture,
graphic arts, and decorative arts. Artworks in this movement are characterized by rich colors,
geometric and angular shapes, fashion oriented, lavish ornamentation and strongly
decorative. This art design was popular globally and has affected many areas of designs such
stylized images of airplanes, cars, cruises, liners, and skyscrapers. This particular art style
influences Art Noveau, Cubism, African Tribal Patterns, Historical motifs such as Greek and
Egyptians. Thus, this art style represents luxury, glamour, exuberance, and faith in social and
technological progress.
Some famous artists in this art style include:
a. Romain de Tirtoff. He is a Russian-born French artist and designer and is diversely talented
20th century artist and designer who flourished in the different fields such as fashion, costume
and set design for film, theatre, and opera, graphic arts, and interior deco.
b. Santiago Martinez Delgado. He is a Colombian painter, sculptor, art historian and writer. He
is famous of his works: “A CENTURY COLOMBIAN EVOLUTION” and “RISE OF JESUS ON THE
CROSS”.
c. Marcel Jano. He is a Romanian and Israeli artist, architect, and art theorist. His famous work
includes, “COMPOSITION WITH RED ARROW”
O. ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM
It is a school of painting flourished in New York City after the World War II until the early of
1960s. The center of the Abstract Expressionism is the New York School of Modern Art. This
school of painting is characterized by the perspective that art is non- representational which
means that there are no actual objects represented and that it is chiefly improvisational.
Artists in this movement may have their own ways of expressing emotions through the
artwork they produce. Subjects are often distorted and exaggerated and artists use vivid and
shocking colors.
Famous artists in this movement or school of painting include:
a. Paul Jackson Pollock. He is an influential American painter and a major figure in the abstract
expressionist movement. Most of his artworks include: “STENOGRAPHIC FIGURE” and “No.
5”.
b. Mark Rothko. He is an American painter of Russian Jewish descent. His famous
masterpieces include: “GREEN AND MAROON” and “OCHRE AND RED ON RED”.
c. Jaques Rosas. He is the living abstract expressionist and the founder of the Legendary Shop
studios. He is famous of his works: “STREET ART”, and “OLIS IN CANVASS FROM LIFE”.
d. Franz Kline. He is an American painter born in Pennsylvania and is mainly associated with
the abstract expressionist movement of the 1940s and 1950s. Among his famous works
include: “LE GROS”, “CHIEF”, and “PAINTING NO. 2”.
e. ROBERT MOTHERWELL. He is an American painter, printmaker, and editor and he was the
youngest in the New York School. Most of his artworks include: “UNTITLED (FIGURATION)”,
“UNTITLED (ULTRAMARINE)”, and “YELLOW OCHRE AND WHITE”.
In the Philippines during 1970, the Philippine market began to open abstraction. Jose Joya is
an important figure in the development of Abstract Expressionism. He is very famous of his
work entitled, “HILLS OF NIKKO”.
P. OPTICAL ART
Op art or commonly known as Optical art is an international art movement which started in
the 1960s, is a style of visual art which uses optical illusions. It consists of non-representational
geometric shapes which create various types of optical illusions; thus, it gives the viewer the
impression of movements or hidden images which patterns, colors, and shapes are chosen.
Some famous Op artists include:
a. Bridget Riley. She is famous of her Op art entitled, “MOVEMENT IN SQUARES”.
b. Victor Vasarely. He is famous of his Op art entitled, “ZEBRA”.
c. Maurits Cornelis Escher. He is famous of his artwork, “LIBERATION”.
d. Jesus Rafael Soto. He is a Venezuelan Op and Kinetic Artist. One of his Op artworks includes:
“CUBO POLICROMO (POLYCHROME CUBE)
Q. POP ART
It is an art movement emerged in Britain and the United States during the 1950s created by
“Independent Group”, a group of artists from the Institute of Contemporary Art. This art
movement lasted until the early 1970s when the modernist art movement came to an end.
Artists in this movement use acrylic paints, plastics, photographs, fluorescent, and metallic
colors which can be found in Billiards, Murals, Magazines, and Papers. Influences of the Pop
Art include Fauvism and Dadaism wherein its similarity includes the use of every object and
presents them as an art, and the reaction of Abstract Expressionism. This artwork can be
found in new technologies such as TV, magazines, and newspapers; it is reproduced,
duplicated, combined, and mass produced.
Some artists during this movement include:
a. Roy Lichtenstein. He is famous of his Pop arts entitled, “WOMAN WITH FLOWERED HAT”
and “NURSE”.
b. Andy Warhol. He is famous of his works: “RACE RIOT”, “FOUR MARLONS”, “MEN IN HER
LIFE”, “TURQUOISE MARILYN”, “COCA COLA”, and “TRIPLE ELVIS”.
R. MINIMALISM
It is one of the art movements began in Post- World War II. It is an art movement that rejected
the idea that art should reflect the personal reflection; it focused on creating a purely visual
piece and not concerned about the hidden or deeper meanings of what a certain artwork
conveys to the audience or viewers. Hence, artists in this particular movement want people
to see the piece for what it is, not what it represents.
Artists in this movement include:
a. Frank Stella, his artwork entitled, “Die Fahne Hoch!” (1959)
b. Tony Smith, his artwork entitled, “Die” (1962)
c. Carl Andre, his artwork entitled, “Lever” (1966)
d. Robert Morris, his artwork entitled, “Untitled (Mirrored Cubes)”
e. Richard Serra, his artwork entitled, “One Ton Prop (House of Cards)”
f. Sol Le Witt, his artwork entitled, “Two Open Modular Cubes/ Half Off” (1972)
g. Ronald Bladen, his artwork entitled, “The X” (1965)
S. CONCEPTUAL ART/ CONCEPTUALISM
It is an art movement flourished in the mid-1960s and 1970s. Conceptual Art posits that idea
or concept, and meaning are the most important work of art; it means it is the art of ideas
wherein ideas are more important than the finished works. It rejects the idea that “Art is
Beautiful” and the conventional painting and sculpture. Artists in this movement use text as
well as imagery along with a variety of everyday materials and objects so viewers think
particularly about what art is and its meaning. Also, the kind of artworks in this movement
incorporates photography.
Artists in this movement include the following:
a. Yoko Ono. She is Japanese multimedia artist and singer and the second wife of John Lenon.
Artworks she produced include: “PLAY IT BY TRUST” and “MY MOMMY IS BEAUTIFUL”.
b. Yves Klein. He is a French artist considered an important figure in post-European art. His
artwork includes, “ANTHROPOMETRY: PRINCESS HELENA”.
T. SOCIAL REALISM
It is an international art movement that depicts daily struggles of the everyday condition of
working classes or human condition of its time; thus, artworks in this movement portrayed
human flaws and cruelty of human nature that includes more of individual people and small
settings or social structures.
Artists in this movement include:
a. Philip Guston. He is a painter and printmaker in New York. His famous works include:
“HEAD”, “BLUE LIGHT”, “BACK VIEW” and “INHABITER”.
b. Edward Steichen. He is Luxembourgian American photographer, painter, and art gallery and
museum curator. His famous works include: “ROCK HILL”, “LONG ISLAND” and “OYSTER”.
c. Aaron Siskind. He is an American photographer famous of his works: “CHICAGO FAÇADE 9”,
“NEW YORK”, “GLOUCESTER 28”, and “TABERNACLE CITY”.
d. Thomas Hart Benton. He is an American painter and muralist. His artwork is entitled,
“HOMESTEAD”.
U. PHOTO REALISM/ SUPER REALISM
It is a genre of art in which artists study photograph and attempt to produce the image as
realistically as possible; thus, artists take photography as their inspiration. It depicts simple
scene from everyday lives e.g., trucks, fast f”, and truants, or mechanical toys. This movement
evolved from Pop Art and counter to Abstract and Minimalist movements. Moreover, Louis K.
Meisel, an American author and an art dealer is the proponent of the photorealist art
movement having coined the term in 1969.
Famous Photo realism artists include:
a. Elly Kurtz. His masterpiece includes, “SPACE ART”
b. Don Eddy. His masterpiece includes, “12:45 WAITING V”
c. Duane Hanso. His masterpieces include: “THE ARTIST IN HIS LOFT”, “TOURIST II”, and
“BATON TWIRLER”
d. Richard Ester. His artwork includes, “DOWNTOWN”
e. Ralph Going. His masterpieces include: “WOMAN IN GIRDLE” and “BODY REFLECTION”.
V. INSTALLATION ART
It is relatively a new genre of a three- dimensional work of the 1960s and 1970s which involves
the configuration or installation of objects in a space such as rooms or architectural spaces for
a temporary period; thus, the artworks mounted or installed transform the perception of
space and which comprises the artwork.
Famous Installation artists include:
a. Adamo Macri created the installation art, “CLANDESTINE”
b. Nam June Paik created the installation art “ELECTRONIC SUPERHIGHWAY: CONTINENTAL
U.S., ALASKA, HAWAII” (1995)
c. James Abbot McNeill created the installation art “THE PEACOCK ROOM”
d. Gabriel Orozco created the installation art “HOME RUN”
e. John Pugh created the installation art “LIFE IMITATING ART IMITATING LIFE IMITATING
ART”
f. Devon Dikeou created the installation art “MAMAS DON’T LET YOUR BABIES GROW UP TO
BE COWBOYS”
W. PERFORMANCE ART
It is a genre of art that is presented live by artists may it be scripted or unscripted,
spontaneous, planned, or unplanned, random, or carefully orchestrated, with or without
audience, participants, and collaborators. Thus, performance art is an artistic production in
nature which focuses on actions, audiences, sites, or settings done in a particular period. This
movement traced it artistic roots from the concepts of FUTURISM And DADAISM including
demonstrations, protests, or even poetry readings and its intention is to shock and outrage
the society through an artistic manner to the atrocities of World War I am paving the way for
new thinking.
Some famous Performance artists include:
a. Christopher Lee “Chris” Burden. He is an American artist working in performance, sculpture,
and installation art.
b. Marina Abramovic. She has been often described as “the grandmother of the performance
art”.
c. Laura Phillips “Laurie” Anderson. She is an American avant-garde artist, composer,
musician, and a film director.
d. damali ayo. She is an American conceptual artist, performance artist and an author who
prefers to write her name in lower case,
e. Yves Klein. He is a French artist considered to be an important figure in post-war European
art that pioneered the development of the performance art and a forerunner of minimal and
pop arts.
SOURCE:
Autida, M. A. B and Aller, E. B. (2018). Arts and Humanities in the 21st Century Education Art
Appreciation. Cavite: San Sebastian Recoletos de Cavite (Recoletos Educational
Apostolate in the Philippines).
FURTHER READINGS
Ortiz, M. A. R. et al. (1978). Art Perception and Appreciation. Manila: University of the East.
Menoy, J. Z. (2014). Introduction to the HUMANITIES: A Holistic Approach, Revised ed.
Mandaluyong City: Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.