History of Visual Arts

The history of visual arts is a broad discipline that encompasses the development and evolution of forms of artistic expression over time, from cave paintings to contemporary manifestations. It is divided into different historical periods and styles that reflect the cultural, social, political and technological changes of each era.
Main stages of visual arts

Prehistoric Art (30,000-3,000 BC)
Includes cave paintings, primitive sculptures and engravings.
Example: The paintings of the Altamira caves in Spain.
It focused on nature, rituals and magical beliefs.

Ancient Art (3,000 BC-500 AD)
Development in civilizations such as Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome.
Egyptian art: hieroglyphics, sculptures and monumental architecture such as the pyramids.
Greek art: perfection of the human form in classical sculpture and architecture.
Roman art: realism and monumentality (Colosseum).

Medieval art (500-1400 AD)
Christian and Islamic influence.
Religious iconography: mosaics, stained glass, and illuminated manuscripts.
Example: Gothic cathedrals such as Notre Dame de Paris.
In the Islamic world, geometric decoration and calligraphy.

Renaissance (1400-1600)
Cultural renaissance in Europe: perspective and interest in humanism are recovered.
Notable artists: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael.
Innovations in painting, sculpture, and architecture.

Baroque (1600-1750)
Dramatic, detailed art with an emphasis on emotion.
Example: The works of Caravaggio and Bernini.
Architecture with elaborate ornamentation, such as in Baroque churches.

Neoclassicism and Romanticism (1750-1850)
Neoclassicism: Inspired by classical antiquity, order and symmetry (Jacques-Louis David).
Romanticism: Focus on emotion, nature and the sublime (Caspar David Friedrich).

Modern Art (1850-1950)
Includes movements such as Impressionism, Expressionism, Cubism and Surrealism.
Examples:
Impressionism: Monet, Renoir.
Cubism: Picasso, Braque.
Surrealism: Dalí, Miró.

Contemporary Art (1950-present)
Addresses current issues, diversity of techniques and materials.
Example: Conceptual art, installations, digital art and video art.
Featured artists: Andy Warhol (pop art), Banksy (street art).

Cultural and social context

The visual arts have always been a reflection of their time, influenced by historical events, technological advances and changes in beliefs and values. From symbolic representation in prehistory to social criticism in contemporary art, these works offer us a window into the past and a vision of human aspirations.
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