AP Art History Eras

Before written history

Nature

Twisted perspective

Small items from nomadic cultures

Carvings or basic pigment

(3000–2686 BCE)

Highly stylized

Limestone

King and queen

Rigid pose

In tombs or depicting daily life

(2686–2181 BCE)

Monumental architecture

Realistic, powerful, divine depictions of pharaoh

Paintings for tombs/afterlife

(2055–1650 BCE)

Naturalistic

Bronze

Everyday people

Paintings of detailed everyday scenes

(1550–1070 BCE)

Elaborate tombs and architecture

Detailed sculptures of gods

Symbolic paintings

(664–332 BCE)

Greek and Roman influence

Bronze sculptures of naturalistic gods

Detailed paintings of daily life

(900-700 BCE)

Geometric shapes and patterns

Pottery

Storage and funerary purposes

Stylized and abstract figures

(700-480 BCE)

Bronze and marble sculptures

Kouros and Kore statues

Idealized

Pottery is decorative

480-323 BCE

Emphasis on balance, harmony, and proportion

Realistic form

Wet drapery

Contrapposto introduced

Parthenon

(323-30 BCE)

Emotional and dramatic

More movement in sculptures

Portraiture

(900-270 BCE)

Greek influence

Terracotta, bronze, and gold

Intricate designs of mythology and daily life

Frescoes in tombs

Prized pottery with detailed designs

(750-500 BCE)

Utilitarian

Greek and Etruscan influence

(500-27 BCE)

Public works

Realistic and focused on form

Sculptures

(27 BCE- 350 CE)

Glorifies emperor

Architecture highlighted with Colosseum and Pantheon

Mosaics and frescoes

(14th-17th century)

Renewed interest in classical antiquity, humanism, and arts

(15th-17th century)

Influenced by Italian

Focus on religion

Greater realism

(16th century)

Reform of the Catholic Church

Challenged authority of the Pope

Emphasized individual faith and the Bible

(3rd-7th century)

Mosaics

Manuscripts

Religious purpose

Imperial propaganda

Personal religious piety

(4th-15th century)

Encaustic

Fresco

Mosaic

Egg paint

Religious purpose

Wealthy patrons

(7th-19th century)

Calligraphy

Textiles

Metalwork

Ceramics

Mosaics

Geometric

Illumination

Arabesque

Religious, common, and wealthy patrons

(500-1000 CE)

Parchment

Pigments

Illuminated manuscripts

Enamelwork

Fresco and tempera

Animal style

Religious, wealth, and commemorative purposes

(1050-1150 CE)

Stained glass

Stone, wood, bronze

Frescoes

Tapestries

Audience of churchgoers, pilgrims, royalty, wealthy merchants, and monks/nuns

Glorification of Church

(12th-16th century)

Ribbed vaults

Flying buttresses

Pointed arch

Elaborate tracery

Illuminated manuscripts

Audience of church, public, and patrons

Glorifies God and Church

Inspires awe and devotion

Showcases wealth

Educates

(17-18th century)

Oil paint

Precious stones

Heavy use of gold

Dramatic

(1700-1750 CE)

Decorative, flowy, light

Delicate brushwork and pastels

Asymmetrical composition

Bourgeoise audience

Showcases wealth and luxury of patrons

(1750-1830)

Revival of classical art and architecture

Bourgeoise audience

Promotes order, reason, and patriotism

(1780-1850)

Emphasis on emotion, imagination, and individualism

Middle class audience

Critique on society

(1848-1900)

No idealization or exaggeration

Working class audience

Exposes social issues and promotes change

(1860-1890)

Middle class audience

Hazy

(1880-1900)

Expresses emotion

Bold brushstrokes, pointillism, and outlines

More expressive than impressionism

(1890s)

Symbols and metaphors

Dreamlike atmosphere

Explores psyche

(1890s-1914)

Nature inspired

Curvilinear

Asymmetrical

Breaks away from rigidity

(1900-1940)

Geometric

Natural materials

New, pleasing architecture

(1905-1908)

Bold and bright

Crazy color

Breaks tradition

(1905-1925)

Expression of subjective emotions

Intellectual audience

Challenges tradition

(1907-1930s)

Geometric shapes

Intellectual audience

(1914-1920s)

Industrial materials

Function>form

Social purpose in everyday life

Working class audience

(1915-1922)

Rejects tradition, emphasizing nonsense

Challenges norms

(1917-1930s)

Simple abstraction

Primary colors and straight lines

Universal art

Artist and designer audience

(1920s-1930s)

Architectural minimalism

Efficient, mass produced buildings

(1920s-1930s)

Celebration of African American art

Challenges racial stereotypes and promotes culture

(1920s-1930s)

Large murals with political messages

Meant to educate the public and inspire social change

(1920-1960)

Explores subconscious and irrational mind

Challenges rationality, conventional morality, and explores psyche

(1940s-1950s)

Large canvases

Gestural brushstrokes and unconventional tools

Process was as important as final product

Reaction against formalism and reflection of post WW2 anxiety

(1950-1980)

Pop culture references

Critiques consumerism and mass media

Middle class audience

Blurs boundary between high and low art

(1960s)

Large areas of flat color

Anti-gestural brushstrokes of Abstract Expressionism

Immersive experience

(1960s)

Spontaneous, unscripted performances

Audience was young and counterculture

Breaks barrier or art and life

(1970s-1990s)

Site specific works

Uses geography

(900-1530)

Stone, clay, wood, feathers, shells, and precious metals

Their art created intricate stone carvings and pottery, often depicting their gods and animals

They were known for their elaborate architecture, intricate carvings, and colorful murals

They created beautiful pottery and rock art, often depicting their daily lives and spiritual beliefs

They produced intricate copper and shell ornaments, as well as impressive earthen mounds

They were skilled in metalworking, creating intricate gold and silver jewelry, as well as colorful featherwork

They were known for their impressive stonework, including the famous Machu Picchu

Their art varied greatly depending on the tribe, but often included intricate beadwork, basketry, and carvings

(1000-)

Precolumbian used gold, silver, and copper

Textiles

Europeans introduced new materials

(1500-1900)

Wood, stone, bone, hide, and trade materials

Basketry, pottery, and jewelery

Tells stories or celebrates events

Mud and clay buildings

Communal architecture

Expressive and abstract sculptures

Stylized, detailed, and exaggerated proportions

Influenced cubism and expressionism

Functional in ceremonies

Wood, metal, ivory, clay, stone, textiles

(500 BCE-)

Metalwork, ceramics, calligraphy, painting, and textiles

Hindu and Buddhist

Rock-cut architecture

Mughal

Bright colors

Intricate patterns

Hindu and Buddhist

Khmer

Calligraphy

Porcelain

Silk

Landscape

Jade

Woodblock prints

Zen Buddhism

Samurai culture

Tea ceremony

Nature-based

Green glaze

Folk art - Confucianism

Buddhist - Chinese and Indian styles

Wood, bark, shells, feathers, fibers

Carved intricate patterns for Maori

Woven bags in Papua New Guinea

Bark cloth in Fiji

Cultural and spiritual meanings

Function, form, and symbolism

Globalization

Modernization

Growing inclusivity

Mixed media

Digital media

Collage

Installations