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30,000 BCE
Prehistoric Cave Drawings
The earliest known drawings are created on the walls of the Altamira and Lascaux caves. -
3000 BCE
Egyptian Hieroglyphics
The ancient Egyptians develop a system of writing called hieroglyphics that uses pictures instead of words. -
776 BCE
Classical Greek Era Begins
During this period, ancient Greece, a collection of city states near the Mediterranean, united under one divine pantheon, flourished. Great works of art, culture, and the first democracy are created before the fall to the Romans in 323 BCE. -
100
Paper Invented
Paper is invented in China during the Han dynasty. It would provide a more convenient surface to write and draw on, eclipsing papyrus and slabs. -
476
Middle Ages Begins
Beginning after the fall of Rome, the Middle, or "Dark" Ages were characterized by the intense struggles of day to day life and religious fervor. As a result, much of the artwork from this time period centered around those themes. The Middle Ages would last until 1453 and the fall of Constantinople. -
1300
Renaissance Begins
After the Middle Ages, classical interests were revived, and inspiration would be drawn from Greco-Roman design and ideals. Great importance was placed on educational and cultural advancement, leading to the rise of artists that included Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci. This would last until 1600 and the beginning of the Baroque period. -
1545
Counter Reformation Begins
Also called the Catholic Revival, this movement was a power grab by the Catholic Church, beginning as a counter to the Protestant Reformation. Councils were formed to ensure Catholic dominance, and similar religious themes crept into the art of its time. -
1565
Graphite Discovered
A graphite deposit is found in England, and was soon after used to make markings. This discovery would eventually lead to the invention of the modern pencil and a new way to create artwork. -
Baroque Period Begins
The Baroque Period began in Italy after the Renaissance and would last until 1800, encouraging extravagant decor and dramatic themes. The artwork produced during this period emphasized the appearance of motion to better display these values. -
Modern Art
Lasting until the 1970s, the work created during the development of modern art aimed to go against all that is traditional and introduce new concepts and styles. Cubism, Fauvism, Expressionism, and Surrealism would be created as a result. -
Fauvism Created
The term Fauvism, which derives from the French term for wild beasts, is created from a critic's description. This become the label for a new genre of art that rejects Impressionism and aims to be unrealistic, especially in its color scheme. -
Cubism Created
Cubism, a modern style that requires the deconstruction of images into geometric shapes, is popularized by Picasso and Eraque.
