Art History Timeline Project

  • Period: 40,000 BCE to 4000 BCE

    Paleolithic: “Old Stone Age”

    40,000-8,000 BCE in the Near East
    40,000-4,000 BCE in Europe
  • 15,000 BCE

    Great Hall of the Bulls Cave Paintings

    Great Hall of the Bulls Cave Paintings
    Lascaux, France.
    15,000-13,000 B.C.E.
    Rock painting
  • 10,000 BCE

    Art of Japan

    The earliest pieces of Japanese art came from the Jomon Period
    Started with the connection of Buddhism
  • Period: 8000 BCE to 2000 BCE

    Neolithic: “New Stone Age”

    8,000- 3,000 BCE in the Near East
    4,000- 2,000 BCE in Europe
  • 7000 BCE

    Art of China

    Art is an important part in the Chinese culture
    The different periods of time were called Dynasties
  • Period: 3500 BCE to 2340 BCE

    Sumerian

    Sumerians rule from 3500 - 2340 B.C.E.
    Made up of independent city-states
    Cuneiform - earliest form of writing developed by 3000 B.C.E.
    Epic of Gilgamesh - early Sumerian poem
    Architecture generally consists of mud-brick
  • 3000 BCE

    Art of Korea

    Korean artworks include traditions
    Used 4 major types of art calligraphy, music, painting, pottery
    The first major Korean artwork dates back to 3000 BC
  • 2700 BCE

    Statues of votive figures

    Statues of votive figures
    From the Square Temple at Eshnunna (modern Tell Asmar, Iraq)
    Sumerian
    c.2700 B.C.E.
    Gypsum inlaid with shell and black limestone
  • 2620 BCE

    Seated scribe

    Seated scribe
    Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty
    c.2620-2500 B.C.E.
    Painted limestone
  • Period: 2575 BCE to 2134 BCE

    Old Kingdom Egypt

    Approximately c. 2575-2134 BCE
    Mastabas and pyramids as tombs and burial chambers
    Ben-ben stone: the top stone on the pyramid; location of where the sun rays first fell
    Standardization of the canons of Egyptian art
  • 2500 BCE

    Stonehenge

    Stonehenge
    Wiltshire, UK
    Neolithic Europe
    c.2500-1600 B.C.E
    Sandstone
  • Period: 1895 BCE to 539 BCE

    Babylonian

    1,895–539 BC
  • 1792 BCE

    The Code of Hammurabi

    The Code of Hammurabi
    Babylon (Modern Iran)
    Susian
    c.1792-1750 B.C.E.
    Basalt
  • 1550 BCE

    Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall

    Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall
    New Kingdom, 18th & 19th Dynasties
    Karnak, near Luxor, Egypt
    Temple: c.1550 B.C.E.
    Hall: c.1250 B.C.E.
    Cut sandstone and mud brick
  • Period: 1550 BCE to 1070 BCE

    New Kingdom Egypt

    Approximately c.1550-1070 BCE
    After second Intermediate Period
    Impressive rock tombs
    Military expansion (Syrians invaded in the Intermediate Period)
  • 1500 BCE

    Art of the Pacific

    The first Art of the Pacific piece was created during 1500 BC
    Was influenced by local social structures and external influences
    The locations of the artwork are on islands
  • 1353 BCE

    Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters

    Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters
    New Kingdom (Amarna), 18th Dynasty
    c.1353-1335 B.C.E.
    Limestone
  • Period: 1353 BCE to 1335 BCE

    The Amarna Period

    C.1353-1335 BCE
    Akhenaten (also known as Amenhotep IV)
    Instituted monotheistic worship of the sun disk, Aten
    Moved capital to Amarna
  • Period: 900 BCE to 600 BCE

    Assyrian

    900-600 B.C.E
    A major ancient Mesopotamian civilization
  • Period: 900 BCE to 700 BCE

    Geometric Period

    900 - 700 B.C.E.
    Small scale bronzes
    Figures restricted to registers
  • Period: 800 BCE to 500 BCE

    Etruscan

    Approx. 800-500 B.C.E. (Same as the Archaic Period in Greece
    Has motion and vitality (full of life)
    Captured the feeling or essence of their subjects
    Relaxed
    Naturalistic figures
    Temples
    Wood with statues on the roof
    Necropolises
  • 720 BCE

    Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II

    Lamassu from the citadel of Sargon II
    Dur Sharrukin (modern Khorsabad, Iraq)
    Neo-Assyrian c.720-705 B.C.E.
    Alabaster
  • Period: 700 BCE to 600 BCE

    Orientalizing

    700-600 B.C.E.
    Result of exposure to Egypt and the Near East
    Exotic imagery and composite creatures
    Figures begin to break out of registers
  • Period: 600 BCE to 480 BCE

    Archaic

    600 - 480 B.C.E.
    Sculptures include kouros and kore figures
    Characterized by the “Archaic Smile”
    Stylized, geometric hair
    Rigid, grid format similar to the Egyptian canon of proportions
    Pottery includes black and red figured vase painting
    Persian Wars 500-480 B.C.E.
  • Period: 559 BCE to 331 BCE

    Persian

    559-331 B.C.E
  • 530 BCE

    Anavysos Kouros

    Anavysos Kouros
    Archaic Greek
    c.530 B.C.E.
    Marble with remnants of paint
  • 520 BCE

    Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes

    Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes
    Persepolis, Iran
    Persian
    c.520-465 B.C.E.
    Limestone
  • 520 BCE

    Sarcophagus of the Spouses

    Sarcophagus of the Spouses
    Etruscan
    c.520 B.C.E.
    Terracotta
  • Period: 509 BCE to 27 BCE

    Republican Period

    509 - 27 B.C.E.
    Highly stratified society: patricians lorded over plebeians, paterfamilias lorded over wives and children
    “Dignitas” - dignity, status, honor, popularity, importance
    Copied Classical Greek
    Subjects: mythology, gods, battles, emperors
  • 500 BCE

    Buddhism

    5th Century B.C.E - now
    Has four noble truths
    It originated in India but later spread throughout Asia
  • Period: 480 BCE to 450 BCE

    Severe (Early Classical)

    480 - 450 B.C.E.
    Bridges change in sculpture from relatively stiff Archaic figure to the more realistically active Classical figure
    Large freestanding sculptures with figures shown in movement.
    Contrapposto shown for the first time (weight shift)
  • Period: 450 BCE to 400 BCE

    Classical

    450 - 400 B.C.E.
    The Golden Age of Greece
    “High point” of Greek art and architecture. Figures are idealized, with expressionless faces.
    Proportion and symmetry are emphasized
  • 427 BCE

    Victory (Nike) adjusting her sandal

    Victory (Nike) adjusting her sandal
    Temple of Athena Nike (Acropolis)
    c.427-424 B.C.E.
    Marble
  • Period: 400 BCE to 320 BCE

    4th Century (Late Classical)

    400 - 320 B.C.E.
    Alexander the Great becomes king of Macedonia, 336 B.C.E.
    Alexander defeats Persian king Darius III at the Battle of Issus, 333 B.C.E.
    Alexander dies in Babylon, 323 B.C.E.
    Sculptors attempt more difficult, unique poses for their figures
  • Period: 320 BCE to 30 BCE

    Hellenistic

    320 - 30 B.C.E.
    Macedonia becomes a Roman province, 146 B.C.E.
    Ends with the fall of Egypt, last fortification of Hellenistic rule to Romans in 31 - 30 B.C.E.
    Period initiated by the conquests of Alexander the Great.
    Art of this period encompasses extremes, from works that are naturalistic to other pieces that are overly idealized with an emphasis on drama, violence and emotionalism.
  • 250 BCE

    Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus

    Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus
    Late Imperial Roman
    c.250 C.E.
    Marble.
  • Period: 193 BCE to 237 BCE

    Late Empire

    193-237 C.E.
    Age of confidence is replaced by a time of troubles
    Civil unrest
    Military defeats
    Economy in decline
    Pivotal time - pagan ancient world transformed into Christian Middle Ages
  • 100 BCE

    Alexander mosaic from the House of Faun, Pompeii

    Alexander mosaic from the House of Faun, Pompeii
    Republican Roman
    c.100 B.C.E.
    Mosaic
  • 100 BCE

    Seated Boxer

    Seated Boxer
    Hellenistic Greek
    C.100 B.C.E.
    Bronze
  • 27 BCE

    High Empire

    27 BC
    The Roman Empire began with the reign of Emperor Augustus
  • 27 BCE

    Early Empire

    27 B.C.E
  • 400

    Buddha

    Buddha
    Bamiyan, Afghanistan
    Gandharan
    c. 400-800 C.E.
    (destroyed in 2001)
    Cut rock with plaster and polychrome paint
  • 500

    Gold and jade crown

    Gold and jade crown
    Three Kingdoms Period
    Silla Kingdom, Korea
    Fifth to sixth century C.E.
    Metalwork
  • 610

    Islamic

    Created by Muhammad
    Created during 610 C.E
  • 1000

    Travelers among Mountains and Streams

    Travelers among Mountains and Streams
    Fan Kuan
    c. 1000 C.E.
    Ink and colors on silk
  • 1000

    African Art

    Beginning c.1000 C.E
    Art is less about realistic representation and more about expression
    Due to reliance on oral tradition, most artworks are unsigned
  • 1001

    Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)

    Shiva as Lord of Dance (Nataraja)
    Hindu
    India (Tamil Nadu)
    Chola Dynasty
    c. 11th century C.E.
    Cast bronze
  • 1200

    Hinduism

    Has no founder or date of origin
    Oldest faith structure in the world
    Name comes from the Persian word Hindu meaning river
  • 1434

    The Arnolfini Portrait

    The Arnolfini Portrait
    Jan van Eyck
    c. 1434 C.E.
    Oil on wood
  • 1465

    Madonna with Child and Two Angels

    Madonna with Child and Two Angels
    Fra Filippo Lippi
    c. 1465 C.E.
    Tempera on wood
  • 1494

    Last Supper

    Last Supper
    Leonardo da Vinci
    c. 1494-1498 C.E.
    Oil and tempera
  • 1525

    Entombment of Christ

    Entombment of Christ
    Jacopo da Pontormo
    1525-1528 C.E.
    Oil on wood
  • 1538

    Venus of Urbino

    Venus of Urbino
    Titian
    c. 1538 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • 1541

    Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza

    Frontispiece of the Codex Mendoza
    Viceroyalty of New Spain
    c. 1541-1542 C.E.
    Ink and color on paper
  • Calling of Saint Matthew

    Calling of Saint Matthew
    Caravaggio
    c. 1597-1601 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Angel with Arquebus, Asiel Timor Dei

    Angel with Arquebus, Asiel Timor Dei
    Master of Calamarca (La Paz School)
    c. 17th Century C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Taj Mahal

    Taj Mahal
    Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
    Masons, marble workers, mosaicists, and decorators working under the supervision of Ustad Ahmad Lahori, architect of the emperor. 1632-1653 C.E.
    Stone masonry and marble with inlay of precious and semiprecious stones; gardens
  • Women Holding a Balance

    Women Holding a Balance
    Johannes Vermeer
    c. 1664 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • The Palace at Versailles

    The Palace at Versailles
    Versailles, France
    Louis Le Vau & Jules Hardouin-Mansart (architects)
    Begun 1669 C.E.
    Masonry, stone, wood, iron, and gold leaf (architecture)
    Marble and bronze (sculpture
  • Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and hunting scene

    Screen with the Siege of Belgrade and hunting scene
    Circle of the González Family c. 1697-1701 C.E.
    Tempera and resin on wood, shell inlay
  • The Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgen de Guadalupe)

    The Virgin of Guadalupe (Virgen de Guadalupe)
    Miguel González
    c. 1698 C.E.
    Based on original Virgin of Guadalupe Basilica of Guadalupe, Mexico City
    16th Century C.E.
    Oil on canvas on wood, inlaid with mother-of-pearl
  • Spaniard and Indian Produce a Mestizo

    Spaniard and Indian Produce a Mestizo
    Attributed to Juan Rodríguez Juárez

    c. 1715 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

    Portrait of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz
    Miguel Cabrera
    c. 1750 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • The Swing

    The Swing
    Jean-Honoré Fragonard
    1767 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Monticello

    Monticello
    Virginia, U.S.
    Thomas Jefferson (architect), 1768-1809 C.E.
    Brick, glass, stone and wood
  • The Oath of the Horatii

    The Oath of the Horatii
    Jacques-Louis David
    1784 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura), also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji

    Under the Wave off Kanagawa (Kanagawa oki nami ura),  also known as the Great Wave, from the series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji
    Katsushika Hokusai
    1830-1833 C.E.
    Polychrome woodblock print; ink and color on paper
  • Liberty Leading the People

    Liberty Leading the People
    Eugène Delacroix
    1830 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Still Life in Studio

    Still Life in Studio
    Louis-Jacques-Mandé Daguerre
    1837 C.E.
    Daguerreotype
  • The Stone Breakers

    The Stone Breakers
    Gustave Courbet
    1849 C.E. (destroyed in 1945)
    Oil on canvas
  • The Valley of Mexico from the Hillside of Santa Isabel (El Valle de México desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel)

    The Valley of Mexico from the Hillside of Santa Isabel (El Valle de México desde el Cerro de Santa Isabel)
    Jose María Velasco

    1882 C.E.
    Oil on canvas
  • Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan

    Chairman Mao en Route to Anyuan
    Artist unknown
    Based on an oil painting by Liu Chunhua
    c. 1969 C.E.
    Color lithograph