Art History

From earliest prehistoric times man has sought to represent his world and his view of the world and life. He may not have thought of his prehistoric cave drawings as art but the drawings that were etched into stone and cave walls representing the day’s hunt could are certainly considered art today. The Venus of Willendorf drawn in the Paleolithic period depicts a round womanly shape with distinct features in three dimensions.

The story of art history is not a single story but multiple parallel stories. It’s not a simple tale and that’s why there are so many scholars that have devoted lifetimes to the study of the art of one particular age, one particular country, or one particular culture or one particular artist. This article can only give the briefest glance at this magnificent story. But if something in particular sparks your interest check out the resource links. You might find just what you are looking for.

Greek art history is a combination of religious and secular drives producing some of the most admired sculpture and architecture of all time. The Mycenaean culture existed parallel to the Roman culture, in the same land, but didn’t really intermingle. During the Mycenaean period there was development of decorative vessels. They created the beehive tomb and their goldsmiths and potters are famous even today for their artistic creations.

From around 1025-700 BC simple lines and bands evolved into people, animals and mythical creatures. This gave way to depictions of deities, sculptures, and architectural embellishments. With the dawning of Christianity and its spread over the entire continent monks’ use of illumination to embellish sacred texts spread. The Book of Kells, one of the most famous illuminated volumes of history is on display at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. Thousands of visitors a year come to view the beautiful illuminations. It was originally kept at the Kells monastery in the care of Celtic Monks that created this masterpiece of Western Calligraphy c. 900 AD.

The story of art history is the sprawling story of civilization and the imagination and vision of countless artists. It’s a story that’s almost impossible to grasp in huge chunks but better savored bit by rich bit. The study of one small piece of art history leads to a greater appreciation. Pick out a period, artist, school or movement and study it in greater depth. Look to the resource links on this site and elsewhere. Many of the riches of art history that often in years gone by required extensive travel are readily accessible to you through the Internet.