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Polynesian art is very intertwined with genealogy, mythology and spirituality. Pieces hold an immense amount of symbolism that is deeply connected to the communitites of the people who made them. Though the art forms each Polynesian communities are unique, many of the same themes are represented. Polynesian art is known for tattoo rites, monumental structures, intricate wood carvings and dwellings. Bold patterns and symbolism across textiles, stone, wood, decor and ceremonial pieces.
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This period of art is known for blending religion, culture and politics. Religious expansion influenced advancements in painting, architecture and sculpture. Bringing forth new building techniques, stylized carvings and cultural traditions.
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Delhi, India
1199–1220. Red Sandstone and Marble
SE Asian Art -
The Aztec civilization was founded in Lake Texcoco in the fertile valley of Mexico. Aztec art was centered around ceremonial and sacred pieces. This included monumental temples and colorful manuscripts that depicted mythos relating to creation, spirituality, ceremony and the cosmos.
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Greatly influenced by Zen Buddhism and meditative practices. Interest in tea ceremonies and ceramics. A focus on Zen aesthetics and natural beauty brings forth rock gardens, intricate architecture, landscape paintings and interesting ink techniques.
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The International Gothic Style was popular from the late 13th to mid 14th centuries. It was very decorative with rich colors and gold accents and a focus on naturalistic details. Pieces started exploring atmospheric perspective to create depth. Items such as illuminated manuscripts and alter pieces were regularly commissioned.
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Imperial power in China was brought back to the forefront. Art focused on more of a decorative approach while still holding true to classical techniques. This included intricate and aesthetic courts, lush gardens, a continuation of literati painting and beautiful flower paintings, and the introduction of blue and white decorated porcelain ceramics.
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Due to very little outside influence, this period was known for traditional Korean art and techniques. Landscape paintings, calligraphy, decorated ceramic pieces and genre paintings were popular. Much of society was influenced by Neo-Confucianism, bringing focus back to minimalist and simplistic ideals while emphasizing intellectual studies.
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Melchior Broederlam
1393–1399.
Oil on wood panel
International Gothic Style -
Dai Jin
Ming Dynasty. Hanging scroll, ink on silk
China -
Art is greatly influenced by trade with Europe and China. Islam continues to spread and Buddhism reemerges. These events lead to new art forms, an emphasis on Islamic architecture and design, and the start of monumental structures and temples.
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The Early Italian Renaissance is known for the revival of Classicism, focusing on the art, philosophy and liturature from Ancient Greece and Rome. This period is marked by innovative architecture, realistic statues and naturalistic paintings that utilized the first iteration of linear perspective. These pieces often held religious ties and are crutial to the ground work of the Renaissance.
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Jan Van Eyck
1434. Oil on Wood Panel
Early Northern Renaissance -
BRUNELLESCHI
1420-1436. Architecture
Early Italian Renaissance -
The Incan civilization from the 1400s to the 1500s. They were fairly advanced politically and their territory stretched from Columbia to Chile. Incan art was known for their engineering and masonry used to build intricate settlements, metal work with precious metals and brightly colored and bold patterned textiles
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A style that focused on more secular subjects. These pieces were made to showcase the economic boom happening in Northern Europe. These pieces use intricate symbolism and oil paints to create rich color. Commissioned portraits were really popular.
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MESSINA
1475. Oil on Limewood Venice - Venician art at this time was very tied to the Catholic Church. The pieces tended to be more serious in nature and more muted in color. The use of linear perspective is popular and the pieces are incredibly detailed. -
Muromachi Period, c. 1480
Japan -
This marks the peak of the Renaissance. This period is known for its focus on realism, technique advancements and work of the Masters. Many of the pieces and artists from this period have significantly impacted art in the west.
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BOTTICELLI
1485. Tempura on Canvas Florence - Known for richly colored paintings that focused on naturalism. Many of these works blended religious and Biblical figures with Greek and Roman mythos. -
da Vinci
1503-1506. Oil on Wood Panel -
da Vinci
1495-1498. Oil, Tempura, Fresco Milan - The main art coming out of Milan at this time is attributed to da Vinci. His work was important to show the transition from Renaissance art into the High Renaissance. These pieces were accurately proportioned, good use of linear perspective and showed emotion in ways we hadn't seen before. -
This period is marked by European colonization of Africa, changing the political, social and cultural landscape for every single region of the continent. The push for religious conversion is established alongside western ideals, education and government. Much of African art was forced to adapt to the changing social and political climate, traditional art and items were often seen as “exotic” and stolen by oppressors.
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North American art is comprised of multiple regions and indigenous cultures, each with their own unique art style and expression. Many of these pieces were decorative, ceremonial and for everyday use. Some practices included wood carving, basket weaving, textiles, ceramics and vast settlements. Colonization greatly influenced the art of North America via new materials and oppression.
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Art of Micronesia incorporated functional aspects and were used for survival and connection to spiritual beliefs. In addition to the importance of functionality, these pieces are rich with symbolism and reiterate the importance of the sea and connection to communities. They are known for textiles, navigational charts, and stonework.
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This period in Africa included many diverse cultures contained within growing kingdoms and empires. Art is very dependent on local culture, traditions and practices and is unique to each region. Many pieces hold spiritual, ceremonial and ancestral importance. These pieces are also usually functional. On a political and social level, trade has started with Europe and Islam is developing a follwoing in western and Northern Africa.
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Hieronymus Bosch
1505-1510. Oil on Wood -
The beginning of this period is marked with deeply religious pieces that showcase devotion. These pieces are more graphic and jarring compared the the religious pieces of Italy. They are emotionally intense and depict gruesome imagery. The end of this period is influenced by the Protestant Reformation, resulting in the transition to more secular pieces in Northern Europe.
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Peru, Inca, 1450–1530 -
A shift to more stylized works featuring elongated figures, emotionally intense scenes and interesting perspectives. These pieces allowed artists to create work that complemented their own individual expression while breaking away from more classical norms for art.
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Hans Holbein the Younger
1533. Oil on Oak Panel -
Parmigiananino
1535. Oil on Panel -
Michelangelo
1534-1541. Fresco -
Codex Mendoza
Aztec, 1545. Ink and color on paper -
Pieces are more secular and focus more on the natural world and everyday life. (landscape paintings and genre works). Religious themes are relevant in Spain. The paintings of El Greco are vital to mannerism and the development of Spanish art into the Baroque. Opulent architecture becomes popular in France and England. There is also a shift into seeing more portraits of political figures coming out of England. These are full of symbolism and are slightly stylized.
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A period of ornate religious works that revitalized the Catholic Church after the reformation, it also marks the transition from Mannerism to Baroque. These emotional pieces refocused on priotitizing Catholic doctorine and religious figures.
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Intricate and highly detailed architecture becomes more popular leading to grand temples, palaces and cultural buildings. Regional painting styles develop and art in SE Asia is still highly influenced by Islam.
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Colonization of the Pacifica cultures devastated not only the people, but their traditions, spiritual practices and thus their art. Due to the push for conversion to Christianity, many of the tools and mediums used for art were oppressed and destroyed.
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Paul Rubens
Elevation of the Cross Triptych
1610-1611. Oil on Panel Baroque art in Flanders focuses on more secular and genre work. There is still some religious imagery and alter pieces being made, but they are not the main aesthetic. This region’s art was dramatic, using rich colors and interesting lighting while emphasizing the movement of the figure and its surroundings. -
Artemisia Gentileschi
Judith Beheading Holofernes
1611-1612. Oil on Canvas The Italian Baroque was very immeshed with the counter reformation. Many of the pieces made in Italy during this period held religious themes and figures. These pieces were visually dramatic from the strong contrast used and full of emotion and intimacy. -
Focus on more whimsical and popular media due to positive economic impact on merchant class. Woodblock printing becomes popular along with the concept of “The Floating World”. Known for bright colors and interesting patterns melding with natural scenes. Some of the more recognizable Japanese works are from this period.
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This period is known for the blending of belief, culture and west Asian techniques. Literati paintings are peaking and are created in more of a personal style compared to the strict realism of the Yuan Dynasty.
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Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
1632–1653. Mausoleum made of
White Marble -
Diego Velázquez
Las Meninas
1656. Oil on Canvas The Spanish Golden Age was tied closely to religion, much like Italy during this period. The works that came out of Spain highlighted power and focused on realism. Though religious imagery was significant, there were still plenty of genre artists and pieces being created. -
Johannes Vermeer
Girl with a Pearl Earring
1665. Oil on Canvas The Dutch Golden Age is known for its secular genre work. A huge focus was put on everyday life and people and the values of the Dutch people. These pieces featured still life's of food and everyday objects, portraits of people participating in daily tasks and capturing the vast landscapes. There was still some religious imagery, but it was not as popular as genre work. -
Yun Shouping
Qing Dynasty. Leaf from an album of flowers, bamboo, fruits, and vegetables Album of 10 leaves; ink and color on paper
China -
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Jules Hardouin-Mansart and
Charles Le Brun
Hall of Mirrors (Galerie des Glaces),
Château de Versailles
Begun 1678. Architecture and interior design At this time France was under an absolute monarchy. This caused art to feel more restricted, influencing a more classical aesthetic seeking harmony and balance within architecture and paintings. These works included landscapes, historical scenes and ornately decorated residences and civvic buildings. -
Madurai, Tamil, Nadu, India
17th century. Stone
SE Asian Art -
Art and politics are influenced more by colonial powers resulting in European (specifically British) styles melding with local traditions and art styles. This impacts much of the architecture being build during this period.
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This period of art is a result of the excess generated during the Baroque. Rococo celebrates luxury, elegance, wealth, opulence and sensuality. Work is characterized by whimsical pastel paintings, soft and playful brush strokes, ornate architecture and sculpture, and satirical commentary on courtly life. Toward the end of the period, work becomes more politically charged, serious and is used to influence the chaotic political climate.
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Jeong Seon
1734. Hanging Scroll with Ink and Colors on Paper
Korea -
This period utilized modern building materials like steel, glass and iron. These materials made it easier to build taller and more functional structures. Many architects made interesting designs out of these materials and reworked the world view of what architecture could be.
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Jean-Honoré Fragonard
1767. Oil on canvas
Rococo -
The Neoclassicism period is known as a classic revival. It is a direct response against the playful and erotic nature of Rococo. It reestablishes the need for intellect and centers the “Enlightenment” in wake of the French Revolution. This period returns to Greco-Roman ideals, emphasizing balance, harmony, and conservative compositions with themes of heroism, sacrifice, grace and courage. History Painting and the Picturesque Movement are influential to portraiture, architecture and landscapes.
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John Henry Fuseli
1781. Oil on canvas
Romanticism -
Antonio Canova
1787–1793. Marble
Neoclassicism -
A response to Neoclassicism, Romanticism revives the drama of Baroque and sensuality of Rococo, leaving restrained compositions behind. This period is rooted in personal expression, deep emotion, dramatic and dynamic scenes and thick contrast in light and shadows. A focus on war, resistance and reform is a common theme in Spain, France and America.
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Katsushika Hokusai
Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji
Edo Period, c. 1831. Polychrome Woodblock Print on Paper
Japan -
Responds to Romanticism by focusing on every day people doing every day things. This movement highlights working class people, economics and politics. Realism rejects idealized and dramatized subjects while rendering accurate and detailed works of their humble subject matter.
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Raharuhi Rukupo
1842– 1843. Built and owned
by Rongowhakaata people of Turanga.
Restoration 1935. Wood, shell, grass, flax, and pigments -
Joseph Paxton
London, United Kingdom
1851. Glass, Iron, and Steel
Industrial Revolution Architecture -
Jean-François Millet
1857. Oil on canvas
Realism -
A movement based in Britain on the idea of beauty being the most important thing and formal qualities should be appreciated above all else. Most of these pieces had not other context within the work.
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A French painting movement based in the idea of capturing fleeting moments. This movement often used live light as their subject matter, allowing it to dictate the scene. Plein air painting was also established at this time, encouraging artists to utilize the outdoors to further explore impressionist themes and techniques.
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Edgar Degas
1874, Oil on canvas
Impressionism -
James Abbott McNeill Whistler
1875, Oil on panel
Aestheticism -
A movement that built on Impressionist themes while continuing to push boundaries and experiment with new forms, colors and structures. These works focused on emotional depth and symbolism to convey meaning.
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A moment that directly rejects Realism and Naturalism, these pieces focus on emotion and imagination. Many works use symbolism to express themes of emotional depth, mystical imagery, spirituality and the inner psyche.
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The Mende People
1880–1886. Wood, pigment, and raffia fiber
Africa -
Mumbai, India
Completed in 1888. Stone and Brick
SE Asian Art -
Vincent van Gogh
1889, Oil on canvas
Post-Impressionism -
This design style gained inspiration from the natural world. Often blending organic natural forms with decorative elements. The goal was to progress from traditional forms to more modern and natural structures.
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Edvard Munch
1893. Tempera on cardboard
Symbolism -
Seen in the Royal Palace with objects from the Oba’s treasury
1897. photograph
Africa -
Marshall Islands 19th century. Sticks, coconut fiber, and shells -
This period is known for celebrating regional pride and reclaiming traditional art styles while embracing modern elements. These advancements also explore new forms and developing a new sense of identity within cultural art.
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André Derain
1905. Oil on Canvas
Fauvism -
A movement inspired by Post-Impressionism, Fauvism used bright colors and interesting brushwork to convey emotional context. The subject matter was often simplified down to figures and colors were left unmixed across a seemingly flat piece.
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A movement influenced by Symbolism. This movement provided works with intense imagery that conveyed raw emotion and social commentary. The artist aim was to comment on industrialization of Europe.
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Antoni Gaudí
1904-1906
Barcelona, Spain
Art Nouveau -
An art movement that focused on breaking subjects into geometrical fragments while showing multiple perspectives of the same subject. These pieces rejected traditional forms and perspective while emphasizing abstraction. The sub-movements within Cubism include: Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism.
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An Italian avant-garde movement, Futurism worked to embrace technological advancements while looking to the future for inspiration. Many works portray sleek, dynamic and machanical subjects that utilize fragmented pieces.
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Japan’s colonization of Korea greatly influenced art and how art was made. Japanese oppression resulted in exposure to western style art and ignited themes of resistance and a tight grasp on cultural identity.
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Wassily Kandinsky
1912. Oil on canvas
Expressionism -
The Taisho Era is greatly influenced by western style arts. This influence opened avenues of exploration leading to western ideas blending with Japanese techniques in the 20's and 30's.
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Umberto Boccioni
1913. Bronze
Futurism -
The "Anti-Art" movement. This movement worked to question what could actually be considered art. Through provocative instillations, silly appropriation of historical works and explicit commentary on social/political issues, the Dada movement pushed boundaries and rejected everything about art.
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Marcel Duchamp
1917. Porcelain plumbing fixture, enamel paint
Dada -
A movement based in the desire to explore the unconscious mind and dream through the use of juxtaposition and exploration of inner psyche. Surrealism challenges our perspective of reality while encouraging artists to convey their deepest desires.
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During the 20's and 30's, politically based work also became popular, usually in the form of propaganda. Post- war art was centered around reflection and a response to how the war impacted Japanese people, also working into the rebuilding of a nation. The end of the century was met with the Superflat movement, anime, and experimentation with new media and technology.
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Salvador Dalí
1931. Oil on canvas
Surrealism -
Pablo Picasso
1936–1937. Oil on Canvas
Cubism -
A movement that emphasizes the artists true expression. These pieces work to showcase emotion, action, process and connection to the artist. Rejecting traditional artistic techniques, this movement embraces freedom, energy and exploration of personal creativity.
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Maria Montoya Martinez and Julian Martinez
New Mexico, c. 1942 Ceramic -
Jimmy Midjawmidjaw
Australia Mid 20th century. Natural pigments, eucalyptus bark Art of Melanesia integrated art into many aspects of their lives. Boldly patterned communal spaces to carved sculptures and weaved textiles reflected on spiritual practices, ceremonial rites, family and lineage and ancestral connection and worship. These pieces also touched on spiritual beliefs in Mimi spirits and Dreamtime. They often utilized materials provided by the land like wood, shells and natural pigments. -
African countries started to regain independence from Europe. A focus on reviving regional art, traditions and spiritual practices was put in place. These pieces gained a global audience by the late part of the century, pushing the boundaries of tradition and exposing artists to new mediums, styles and paving avenues of artistic discovery. Themes of these works include identity or self and community, reflection on colonialism and trauma, and critiques of colonialism and oppression.
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Art made in the Pacific after colonization tended to blend European styles with traditional themes. Around the middle of the 20th century, more traditional art practices were being experimented with, resulting in a revival of cultural styles, techniques and aesthetics. Descendants of these cultures have used art to explore cultural and personal identities and reflect on the impact of colonialism.
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This period of art focuses on the revival of Indigenous traditions. Much of the art created is a response to the centuries of opression and trauma endured at the hand of colonizers. It’s also a realignment with personal and cultural identity while also preserving and practicing art forms that have been lost or forgotten.
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A movement of referencing popular culture, consumerism, capitalism and mass media to create pieces with bold colors and stylized images using techniques found in mass production. These images often critiqued consumerism and social narratives around celebrities and fame.
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Helen Frankenthaler
1952. Oil and Thinned Acrylic on Canvas
Abstract Expressionism -
The Korean War caused massive amounts of damage to land, families and the unity of Korea as a whole. This has led to themes of grief, identity reclamation and critiques of government, war and media. In the south, art had continued to evolve through abstraction and technology. In the North, socialist realism is still the main art style.
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A movement based in using every day objects to find unconventional forms and create installations that showcased random and relatable objects in interesting ways. This movement continues to question what art is, how art is made and what qualities art has to have for it to be art.
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A movement intensely focused on reducing forms down to basic elements. Emphasis on clean lines and shapes, minimal color pallets, with little to no context. Presentation of the form was more important than the why of the form. Many of these pieces utilized modern materials like glass, steel, acrylic and plywood. The secondary point of these works was to engage with the viewer and the surrounding environment.
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A movement that utilized the artist's body as a medium for the work. Relying on action, movement, time and viewer engagement. These pieces often questioned art and what made art art. Continuing to expand the narrative of are humans art?
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This movement made landscapes in to monumental pieces of art through the manipulation of natural landscape. Founded in the want to bring art outside of galleries and into nature while embracing minimalist ideals.
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Postmodern Architecture is a reaction to modernist architecture seeking more complexity with references to historical features. This incudes the reintroduction of decorative elements and exploration of new and unusual forms. Many of these buildings also tie into culture and social contexts to create more engaging forms.
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Allan Kaprow
1961. Installation with black rubber automobile tires and tarpaper-wrapped forms
Fluxus -
Andy Warhol
1962. Silkscreen ink on synthetic polymer paint on canvas
Pop Art -
Bruce Nauman
1966. Sculpture (video and performance art)
Performance Art -
Donald Judd
1967. Sculpture: galvanized iron, paint
Minimalism -
Robert Smithson
1970. Earthwork sculpture, salt crystals, basalt rocks
Earthwork -
Starting during the second wave of Feminism and gaining more traction during the third wave of the 80s and 90s, Feminist art centers women and fights for representation within the art world. These works often focus on intersectionality and history of women and the injustices and inequality they have faced. These pieces are also filled with themes of empowerment and strength.
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Whanki Kim
1971. Oil on Cotton
Korea -
Known for challenging and critiquing political powers in China and the exploration of self expression through new themes, mediums. Includes “New Wave Movement’s” experimental nature and intent to push through the traditional ideals of Chinese art, often through controversial means.
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Postmodern art has many labels. These pieces are often intersectional and explore many topics. These pieces are a reaction to Modernism and a direct rejection of modernist ideals.
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Ai Weiwei
1995. Three photographs
China -
Barbara Kruger
1989. Photographic silkscreen on vinyl
Feminist Art -
Felix Gonzalez-Torrez
1991. image installed on a bilboard
Intersectional Idenity -
Frank O. Gehry
1993–1997. Bilbao, Spain. Titanium, limestone, glass, concrete
Postmodern Archtiecture -
Yinka Shonibare
2003. 14 life-size fiberglass mannequins, 14 chairs, table, and Dutch wax-printed cotton
Africa -
Olafur Eliasson
2004. installation, Turbine Hall, Tate Modern, London
Art as Activism -
Tetsuya Yamada
2005. ceramics, plywood, sawhorses
Japan -
Wendy Red Star
2006. Pigment print on paper
Contemporary Native American Art -
Lisa Reihana
2014. Digital scroll -
Shahzia Sikander
2023. Painted milled high-density foam, steel, fiberglass, glass tile
SE Asian Art