Art history is an expansive field of study that explores the development of art from its earliest beginnings to the present day. The timeline of art history spans thousands of years, and it covers all major civilizations from around the world, including ancient Greece and Rome, China, Japan, India, Mesopotamia, and Africa.
The study of art history is often divided into several periods or movements. These include Ancient Art (from Prehistoric times to 500 CE), Medieval Art (500 CE to 1400 CE), Renaissance Art (1400 to 1600 CE), Baroque Art (1600 to 1750 CE) and Modern Art (1750CE to present). Each period has its own unique style and characteristics that can be identified by scholars.
The origins of art history can be traced back to the 15th century when Italian humanists first began researching and writing about works of art. Since then, art historians have gone on to develop sophisticated theories about the nature of aesthetic experience and how it has changed over time. They have also studied how various cultures have used visual imagery in their artwork to express their beliefs and values.
Modern art history has been shaped by a variety of influential thinkers including Johann Winckelmann (1717-1768), who developed a new way to analyze ancient Greek sculptures; Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1765-1830), who argued that Classical Greek statues were superior in beauty; Karl Marx (1818-1883), who believed that art should reflect society; and Walter Benjamin (1892-1940) who argued that artwork should be evaluated based on its political context.
Who Created Art History?
The concept of art history as an academic discipline was developed by a variety of scholars throughout the centuries. However, some key figures such as Winckelmann, Marx, and Benjamin are credited with helping shape modern art history as we know it today. Their contributions have helped bring greater insight into understanding how different cultures have expressed themselves through visual art over time.