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 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 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
the noblest subjects in painting and sculpture. The Archaic Greek
Architecture began in 6th and 7th centuries in which stones were 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 were
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 12 th 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,
artworks are reverted 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 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 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 idea. 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 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 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
movement started by Parisbased 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
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 NOUVEAU

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 19 th 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 20 th 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 20 th 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 20 th 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 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 20 th 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 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 decor.
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 rep resented 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 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.