The creation of art history is widely credited to Giorgio Vasari, an Italian author and painter who wrote the seminal book “Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects” in 1550. In his work, Vasari made a point of discussing the great achievements of the artists he admired.
He outlined the styles and techniques used by each artist and gave insight into their motivations for creating particular works. This book was instrumental in creating a standard for art historians to use when studying and analyzing works from past centuries.
Vasari’s work has been widely influential in modern art history writing. His influence can be seen in the writings of later art historians such as Johann Joachim Winckelmann and Jacob Burckhardt, who both strived to define periods in art history based on stylistic similarities between works from different time periods. By doing this, they created a framework for understanding how certain artistic styles emerged and evolved over time.
Vasari’s book also provided inspiration for later generations of art historians who sought to create more comprehensive works of historical analysis. This includes figures such as Ernst Gombrich, who wrote “The Story of Art,” an accessible survey of Western art history published in 1950. Other contributors include Arnold Hauser, whose “The Social History of Art” was published in 1951; Erwin Panofsky, whose “Studies in Iconology” was published in 1939; and Kenneth Clark, whose “The Nude: A Study In Ideal Form” was published in 1956.
These works have been instrumental in furthering our understanding of the development of art throughout history. By providing detailed accounts on specific works from different time periods, these authors have helped us gain a better appreciation for the complex relationships between different artistic movements over time as well as their influence on our current cultural landscape.
In conclusion, it is clear that Giorgio Vasari’s work was essential in laying the groundwork for modern art history writing. His work provided an invaluable insight into how various artistic styles evolved over time and helped future generations gain a better appreciation for how these styles shaped our current culture and world view.
Who Wrote Art History For The First Time?
Giorgio Vasari is credited with writing the first comprehensive account of art history with his 1550 publication “Lives Of The Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors And Architects” which served as an important foundation for modern-day studies into the development of various artistic styles throughout history.