What Is Art and Its History?

Art|Art History

When one thinks of “art”, the first thing that comes to mind is usually a painting or sculpture. But the definition of art is much broader than that.

Art can be defined as any activity or product that is created with imagination and skill, and expresses emotion or thought in its execution. It can be found in many different forms including dance, music, literature, theatre, film, photography and architecture.

The history of art dates back to prehistoric times when humankind first began to create representations of the world around them. Cave paintings of animals and humans are some of the earliest known examples of artwork.

During this period, people also used their own bodies as a canvas by creating tattoos and body painting. As time went on, people developed new techniques for creating art such as sculpting with stone or clay.

As civilizations developed and advanced from the Ancient Greeks to the Middle Ages, so did their art forms. During this period painters and sculptors created works in a variety of styles ranging from Byzantine mosaics to Renaissance frescoes. This period also saw the rise of portrait painters such as Leonardo da Vinci who created some of the most iconic images in history.

By the end of the 19th century modernist movements like Impressionism had begun to challenge traditional notions of what art could be. These new styles freed artists from having to follow classical conventions and allowed them to explore their own individual expression through more abstract forms.

In recent decades, art has evolved even further with digital technology allowing for new ways to create and share artwork online. These new tools have opened up a world of possibilities for artists who can now create works that blend traditional media with modern technology.

Conclusion:

What Is Art? It is an activity or product created with imagination and skill which expresses emotion or thought in its execution.

Its history goes back thousands of years from prehistoric cave paintings all the way up to modern digital artwork. No matter where it comes from or what form it takes, art has been an integral part of human life throughout history.