CHAPTER 3

THE WESTERN ART HISTORY

(Week 3)

MY JOURNEY

The term ‘Western art’

largely describes the art of
western Europe, but is also
used as a general category
for forms of art that are now
geographically widespread
but that have their roots in
Cymon and Iphigenia by Lord Frederic Leighton, 1884
Europe.

Art historians describe the history of Western art in terms of successive periods
and/or movements, including classical, medieval, Byzantine, Romanesque, Renaissance,
baroque, rococo, neoclassicism, Romanticism, realism, Impressionism, modernism, and
postmodernism. Definitions of these periods are often debated, as it is impossible to
pinpoint where they begin and end, or to account for the wide array of art produced within
them. Nevertheless, such terms are indispensable in navigating the complex history and
stylistic shifts of Western art across time.

In this chapter, you will unravel the history of art in Prehistoric and Medieval arts
which began in Europe. You will also be acquainted with the famous artists and their
masterpieces.

MY EXPECTATIONS

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. describe the history of Art in Prehistoric Civilization;

2. discuss the Medieval arts in Europe;
3. identify the famous artists in Western Europe; and
4. analyse the most common Paintings in Classical Greek

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MY INITIAL TASKS

As a preliminary activity
for the topic, look at the
picture on the right. Write
your insights about the
message shown by the
picture.
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MY READINGS

istorically speaking, the human instinct to create art is universal. Art is an

H approach of a human being to communicate his/her beliefs and express ideas

about his/her experiences. It also provides valuable insights into the past and
existing cultures. It helps us to understand how others have lived and what
they valued (Annenberg Foundation, 2017).

The history of art reflects the remnant of civilization, the study of artworks, and the
lives of artists illuminate much about our shared past. It helps us to discover, authenticate
who made a particular art object (Meyer, 2009). It also helped us to appreciate the stylistic
and recognized development of artistic practices on a large scale and within a broad
historical viewpoint.

The history of art also covers the entire history of humankind since prehistoric times.
Art is a product of man’s emotional and intellectual connection with the world. It also
aimed to produce a message which will either provoke an unexplainable consciousness
within the hearts of its viewers or incite wisdom among inquisitive minds. Leroi-Gourhan

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(1967) lists three primary domains of the expression of feeling associated to the first
periods of humanity that may add to our understanding of the beginnings of art such as
Psycho-physiological impressions; Magic-religious; and techno-economic.

Art in Prehistoric Civilization

The term “prehistoric”

relates to the time before
written history. Specifically, the
writing developed in ancient
Mesopotamia before 3000
B.C.E., so this period includes
visual culture (paintings,
sculpture, and architecture)
made before that date (Zucker,
2015). The oldest recognized
decorative art forms come from
Africa date back to 100,000
El Castillo Cave painting, Spain BC.E.

Prehistoric art has four main periods: Stone Age, Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron
Age. The remaining artifacts of this period are small sculptures and cave paintings. During
these early times, different forms of art were created and performed as a sign of
communication or adoration to the deity. This practice shows how cultural and religious
factors played little to the development of the art forms that made the ancient society so
famous until now.

Ancient people often represented their worldviews and beliefs through visual images.
Art emerged with the appearance and the dispersal of entirely modern people through
Africa, Asia, Australia, America and Europe. Paintings, sculptures, engravings, and
potteries are expressions for beauty and complex social and spiritual systems. Prehistoric
art like animals are the favorite subjects of hunters, herdsmen, and breeders.

Prehistoric art is a symbolic system that is an integral part of the culture that creates
it (Honour et al., 2005). Many archaeologists have identified Stone Age art, namely:
petroglyphs (rock carvings and engravings); pictographs (graphic imagery, symbols);
ancient sculpture (totemic statues, ivory carvings); and megalithic arts (performs or any
other works associated with the formation of stones).

The oldest European cave art is the El Castillo Cave (Cave of the Castle) in Spain.
This cave was discovered in 1903 by Hermilio Alcalde del Río, a Spanish archaeologist.
Some Archaeologists argue that artwork inside this cave are probably a creation of Homo
neanderthalensis. Hand stencils, claviforms (club shapes) and disks made by blowing
paint onto the wall in El Castillo cave found that date back at least 40,800 years, making
them older than those of the Chauvet Cave in central France, which dated to around

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39,000 years (Kwong, 2012).Other old cave painting sites in France include Lascaux,
Grotte de Cussac, Pech Merle, Cave of Niaux, and Font-de-Gaume.

Stone Tools for Art Making

Stone is formed based on

the composition of minerals on it.
It classified as Mineral growth,
Sedimentary, Metamorphic, and
Volcanic. Sedimentary rocks
shaped through the deposition
and compression of particulate
matter. On the other hand,
Metamorphic rocks changed from
the result of extreme temperature
and pressure. Volcanic rocks are
from molten igneous magma
(Prindle, 1994).

The tools made of tone were the instruments by which early man developed and
progressed. All human culture founded on the ingenuity and brainpower of our early
ancestors in creating sophisticated tools that enable them to survive. The first stone tools
(eoliths- which are now believed to be naturally produced by geological processes such
as glaciation) and other types of organic materials (wood, bone, ivory, and antler) were
about two million years ago. The oldest human tools were a simple stone chopper, such
as those unearth at Olduvai George in Tanzania. Many Paleoanthropologists (people who
study the origins and predecessors of the present human species) confirmed that the
Palaeolithic Man produced four types of tools in creating an art namely: pebble tools (with
a single sharpened edge for cutting or chopping): Bifacial tools (hand axes); Flake tools;
and Blade tools.

Pebble Tools (Pebble chopper). It is a first cutting device and considered as the
oldest type of tool made by humans. The tool contains a rounded stone struck some blows
with a similar stone used as a pounder, which created a serrated crest that served as a
chopping blade.

Bifacial tools. It is a hand ax prehistoric stone tool flake with two faces or sides.
These tools may be oval, triangular, or almond-shaped in form and characterized by axial
symmetry. The cutting edge could be straight or jagged and is used as a knife, pick,
scraper, or weapon. The technique was distinctive of the hand-ax tradition of the lower
Palaeolithic period and the Acheulian culture.

Flake tools. These are hand tools used during Stone Age. They are usually formed
by crushing off a small or large fragment then used as the tool. Both cores and flakes
could be as stone tools. New flakes were very sharp, but quickly became blunt during use
and had to be sharpened again by further flaking, a process called “retouch.”

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Blade tools. These are a Stone tool created by striking a long narrow flake from a
stone core. This procedure of cutting the stone and creating the blades is called lithic
reduction. After chipping the blades, they integrated into larger tools, such as spears.

Medieval Arts in Europe

The primitive art of the

Western world covers an
extensive range of time and place
over 1000 years. Specifically,
Medieval art in Europe grew out of
the artistic culture of the Roman
Empire and the iconographic
practices in the church of the early
Christian (Oliquiano, 2012).
These sources were mixed with
the influential "barbarian" artistic
culture of Northern Europe to
make an extraordinary creative
legacy. Medieval art portrayed in
Pietistic painting (religious art)
displayed in a Ceramics, fresco
and mosaic paintings, Goldsmith
and Silversmith, Stained Glass,
illuminated manuscripts,
Byzantine monumental Church mosaics are
metalwork, Tapestry, and Heraldry
one of the great achievements of medieval art.
in churches.

a. Illuminated Manuscripts (Illumination) - They were colorful religious texts which

often use of gold and silver as its main feature. The term illuminate is the Latin
word “illuminate” which means to adorn or to enlighten. It is the embellishment of
a manuscript with bright colors. The artist who produced the impressive artwork on
illuminated manuscripts was called Illuminators.
b. Metalwork- Metalworkers were very skilled in creating religious objects for church
decorations. Experts in Bronze art produced beautiful jewels, sculptures, and even
church doors.
c. Silversmith and Goldsmith- They were excellent artists who created new shapes
of jewelry. The Medieval church demanded to employed silversmiths and
goldsmiths in the church to produce e2222 with small pieces of colored glass,
stone or other materials. The early Christians used ceiling and wall mosaics in
their churches and cathedrals.
d. Paintings- Artists who were skillful in Iconography uses Fresco and panel painting
with the religious theme during the medieval period. Fresco is performed mostly
on wall covers or ceilings. Likewise, Panels is a painting which showed on several
pieces of wood that joined together. It is also for the Icons of Byzantine art.

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e. Bayeux Tapestry- It is embroidery in colored wool. It is consists of eight long strips
of unbleached linen, sewn together to form a continuous panel of 230 feet long
and 20 inches high.
f. Ceramics- They were hand shaped cooking pots, jars, and pitchers.
g. Stained Glass- It is usually applied exclusively to the windows of medieval
churches, castles, and cathedrals. It creates the primary form of art where small
pieces of glass are arranged to form pictures or patterns which are held together
h. by strips of lead and supported by a hard frame.
i. Heraldry- It is the manner of designing coats of arms and insignia. Specimens of
coats of arms were worked using embroidery, paper, painted wood, stonework and
stained glass.

Famous Artists in Western Europe

The great artists introduced the advancement of arts during the middle periods.
During this era, artists split away from the influences of the Byzantium art style and
developed into the Gothic visual art. The Medieval painters and sculptors were founders
of the movement towards greater realism which culminated in the Renaissance art style.
Most famous artists during medieval period were Donatello, Giotto, Leon Battista Alberti,
Cimabue, Filippo Brunelleschi, Fra Angelico and Lorenzo Ghiberti.

1. Donatello (also known as Donato di Niccolo di Betto Bardi). He was born in 1386
in Italy. He was the son of Nicolo di Betto Bardi, a wool merchant in Florence. He
learned the fabrication of metals and other substances which known as metallurgy.
His most famous works of art include David, Mary Magdalene, Madonna, Salome,
Zuccone, and St. Mark, St. John the Evangelist and St. George and the Dragon.
He also invented a technique known as schiacciato (shallow relief), which achieved
effects of spatial depth. He died on December 13, 1466.
2. Giotto di Bondone. He was born about 1266 in Vespignano village, Florence. He
was the son of Giorgio Vasari, a small landed farmer. He worked with others artists
for the Cathedral of San Francesco in Assisi and began painting a fresco cycle
there with scenes from the Old and New Testaments. In 1300, he was invited by
Pope Benedict XI in Rome to paint a mosaic over the entrance to St. Peter's
Basilica. He died on January 8, 1337, in Florence.
3. Leon Battista Alberti- He was born in Genoa on February 14, 1404, in Italy. As an
Architect, he was hired by Pope Nicholas V in the renovation of the papal palace
and of the Roman bridge of Acqua Vergine. He died in Rome on April 25, 1472.
4. Giovanni Cimabue- He was born in Florence in 1240. He devoted all his time
wrapping his paper and his books with photographs of horses, houses, people,
and other various things he dreamt up. He made mosaics .as well as paintings,
which include the frescoes of New Testament scenes in the upper church of St.
Francis of Assisi. He died in 1302.
5. Filippo Brunelleschi- He was born in 1377 in Florence, Italy. He was the son
Brunellesco Di Lippoo, an Italian lawyer and his mother was Giuliana Spini. He
was a sculptor and goldsmith in one of the Florentine workshops. He died on April
15, 1446.

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6. Fra Angelico (also known as Beato Angelico, which means "Blessed Angelic
One”)- He was born in 1395 in Florence, Italy. As a Painter, his most famous
works of art include the Annunciation, The Madonna and Saints and the
Transfiguration of Christ painting.
7. Lorenzo Ghiberti- He was born in 1380 in Florence, Italy. He was admitted to the
Gold Guild and started his apprenticeship as a goldsmith in 1392. He started work
on the East Doors of the Baptistery of San Giovanni. The Bronze doors (known
as the “Gates of Paradise”) had 10panels depicting scenes from the Old
Testament. He died in 1445.

Most Common Paintings in Classical Greek

During the classical era, most paintings were discovered in panels, tomb, and vases.
It portrays natural symbols with dynamic masterpieces about battle scenes, mythological
figures, and everyday scenes. It also discloses a grasp of linear perspective and
naturalist illustration (Rayos, 2018). Familiar paintings in classical Greek are as follows:

a. Kerch Vase Painting

Kerch Vase is red-figured pottery named after the place where it discovered. Most
common motifs were scenes from the life of women, mythological beings or mythical story
or event. This type of painting used a technique known as polychromy which combined
different colors especially the brilliant one in an artistic manner. The shapes commonly
found are:

a. Krater (it is a bowl used for mixing wine and water)

b. lebesgamikos (a container with high handles and lid use to carry bridal bath)
c. lekanis (a low bowl with two horizontal handles and a small, broad foot)
d. pelike (a wine container)

b. Panel Painting

Panel Painting was especially famous for making beautiful altarpieces. This type of
paintings executed on flat panels of wood or metals which can be either a small, single
piece or several boards that are together. The earliest known old panel painting is the
Pitsa Panel (dated between 540 and 530 B.C.E.).

c. Tomb/Wall Painting

Popular Tomb or wall painting during classical period uses either tempera (water-based)
or encaustic (wax) as a method of fresco. Colors in this type are made with grind powder
stains in pure water, dry and set with plaster to become a lasting part of the wall.

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MY DISCOVERY TASKS

Essay

1. How do you describe art as a cultural document?

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2. In your opinion, what are the purposes of art during ancient time in Europe?
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3. Why ancient arts are mostly found in Caves? What are their significant values?
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4. What is the importance of Stone during Palaeolithic period? Explain.

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5. What art legacy you like most during ancient Europe? Explain.
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Matching type: Match Column A to B. Write the letter of the correct answer on the box
provided before each item.

Column A Column B
1. It is a way to communicate beliefs and express a. Artifacts
ideas about the human experience.
2. It refers to the time before written history. b. Pictographs
3. It is an archaeological material of small sculptures c. Megalithic arts
and paintings found in caves.
4. It refers to rock carvings and engravings. d. Ceramics
5. This applies to pictorial imagery or symbols. e. Polychromy
6. This refers to totemic statues and ivory carvings. f. Pebble chopper
7. This relates to petroforms or any other works g. Sculpture
associated with the formation of stones.
8. It is a club shape and disks made by blowing paint h. Fresco
onto the wall in El Castillo cave.
9. They were hand shaped which produced cooking i. Bifacial
pots and jars.
10. They were religious texts embellished with vibrant j. Pitsa
colors which often featured the use of gold and silver.
11. It is a primordial cutting tool and considered as the k. Claviform
oldest type of device made by humans.
12. This tool may be oval, triangular, or almond- l. Illuminated
shaped in form and characterized by axial symmetry. Manuscripts
13. It is a method of painting water-based pigments m. Prehistory
on a freshly applied plaster usually on a wall surfaces.
14. It is known as the earliest panel painting during n. Petroglyphs
the Archaic period between 540 and 530 B.C.E.
15. It is the combination of different colors especially o. Art
the brilliant one in an artistic manner.

Directions: Do a research on the implications of the painting below.

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Interior of a red figure kylix,
depicting Herakles and Athena, by Phoinix __________________________________________
(potter) and Douris (painter), c. 480-470 BC __________________________________________

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MY TREASURE

Directions: Reflect on what you have learned after taking up this lesson by completing
the chart below.

I thought that…
What were your thoughts or ideas
about intercultural communication
prior to the discussion of this
lesson?

I learned that…

What new or additional ideas did

you learn after taking up this
lesson?

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Flexible Learning Task No. 3
PAPER MOSAIC

Directions: Mosaics were traditionally made with bits of tile or glass, but it is possible
to make simple ones using paper. In this learning task, you need to get neon
papers/colored papers in different colors. You need to cut them according to
your desired tile size and shape. Come up with your own design or shape
using those paper tiles. Below your artwork, write you own reflection on the
lesson and the activity.

MY SUPPLEMENTS

Gildow, C. (2012). Art Appreciation. Retrieved last August 18, 2020 from
https://learn.canvas.net/courses/24

SBCTC & Lumen Learning. (n.d.) Art Appreciation. Retrieved last August 18, 2020 from
https://courses.lumenlearning.com/masteryart1/

Art Class Curator. (2020). Art Appreciation. Retrieved last August 21, 2020 from
https://artclasscurator.com/principles-of-design-
examples/#:~:text=The%20principles%20of%20design%20are,a%20wide%
20range%20of%20effects.

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