ART APPRECIATION

CHAPTER 1: THE HUMANITIES AND THE ARTS

INTRODUCTION
The Meaning of Humanities
The word HUMANITIES comes from the Latin humanus which means human, cultured, and refined (Aquino and Santillana,
2015). This idea signifies the qualities, feelings, and inclinations appropriate to humans or mankind. It pertains to humane
feelings and the conduct towards others depicting gentleness, consideration, and manner (Aller and Autida, 2018).
According to Ortiz (1976), Humanities are records of man’s quest for answers to the fundamental questions he asks about
himself and about life. Hence, the essence of man’s existence is revealed through these questions – What am I? (man,
rational) Who am I? Why am I existing? Where will I be from here?

The Background of Humanities

The term “humanities” was first applied to the writings of ancient Latin authors for their moral teachings. Throughout the
Medieval Age, the humanities dealt with the metaphysics of the religious philosophers in preparation for the cultivation
of spirituality and life after death. During the Renaissance, the word humanities refers to the set of disciplines taught in
the universities such as grammar, rhetoric, history, literature, music, philosophy, and theology – a body of knowledge
aimed to make man “human, cultured, and refined.” As civilization progresses in the modern times, the humanities serve
to provide the students with certain skills and values through the arts (Ortiz, 1976).

The Humanities and the Sciences

The humanities and the sciences are two different disciplines. Below are their distinctions.

Humanities Sciences
deal with the internal world of man – his deal with the external world of man
personality and experiences that cannot be including the aspects of man that can be
measured, classified or controlled measured, 0bserved, and experimented
exactly
deal with human activities and values are concerned with and expressed through
that can be perceived by the senses, felt numbers and symbols
by the heart, and expressed through
actions in a
variety and subtle ways
approach towards the subjective aspect approach towards the objective aspect
because of the use of perception, intuition,
and insight
focus on man as an individual focus on the group of men, institutions, and
society
aim to make man more human aim to understand and control nature
and to harness energy to make life for
man
comfortable
Though the humanities and the sciences differ in terms of characteristics, emphasis, and goal, yet both are necessary for
the development of the complete social man ready to take on his responsibilities in this rapidly changing world and to
enjoy life as he lives it (Ortiz, 1976).

The Meaning of Art

Art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and imagination. The term Art was derived
from the Latin “Ars” meaning skill and “Arti/s” referring to craftsmanship, skill, mastery of form, and inventiveness. Hence,
a person who creates art uses his special skill and imagination in his desire to express himself and to record the reactions
of his personality to the society and the world where he lives in using different medium or types of art such as sculpting,
painting, writing, dancing, singing, and other means. Art is limitless and has no boundary because everyone may have his
own way of expressing things in different manners in accordance with his intellect, wisdom, and satisfaction. (Aller and
Autida, 2018).

According to Webster, art is “human ingenuity in adapting natural things to man’s use”. Therefore, an artist uses his genius
in transforming God-made things into man-made things that satisfy his needs. For instance, he converts wood into a
religious image, into a house, into a piece of furniture. He transforms plants into cloth which will later become his clothing,
or he turns them into paper which will later become an item of painting or sculpture (Menoy, 2014).

These concepts are supported by the remark of Michelle Obama which states that “The Arts and Humanities define who
we are as a people. That is their power to remind us of what we have to offer, and what we all have in common - to help
us understand our history and imagine our future, to give us hopes in the moments of struggle and to bring us together
when nothing else will.”

The Importance of Studying Humanities

The study of humanities is very important for some reasons:

1. The fields of knowledge that fall under humanities will help discover and understand the nature of man. As human
beings, we learn to appreciate the different fields of Humanities since it aims man in educating himself about the world
which he is part of.

2. Humanities deal with man’s purpose here on earth which includes his values, characters, emotions, and sometimes as
a forecaster with divine intervention.

3. Humanities will help us understand the culture, world views, language, and history of a particular country.

4. Humanities will encourage us to think creatively based on the works of art produced by the artists around the globe.

5. Humanities teaches us to become human and to ask questions pertaining to the world which we live in.

THE NATURE OF ART

▪ Art is Everywhere - It is a universal experience because it is learned, practiced, and perpetuated by everybody
throughout human history – practiced and experienced in all places, times, and in all ages.
▪ Examples: The construction of The Great Wall of China (Badaling, North Wall) for protection between the 5th cent.
B.C. and 16th cent.
▪ The construction of The Great Pyramid of Egypt for the tomb of the Pharaoh during circa 2700 B.C.
▪ The construction of The Greek Parthenon Temple which purpose is for housing god deities and is the symbol of
celebration of truth, goodness, and beauty in 447 – 432 B.C.
▪ The Ifugao (Banawe) Rice Terraces – source of life and art (farming) employs stonework, earthwork, irrigation
construction for more than 2000 years The writing of “Aenid” by Virgil – an epic to preserve the traditions of the
great Roman race during the 70 – 19 B. C.
▪ The Paintings of Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Raphael in the 16th century

Art is a Pragmatic Instrument - It is practical and is anything manufactured. It is an instrument of education, religion such
as songs, etc., moral indoctrination such as the images of saints, etc.

Art is a Reflection of Nature - Nature serves as model of art.

Art is a Personal Experience - There is no uniform interpretation of art because it depends on the individual. Everyone has
his own interpretation of art.

Art is an Expression and Vehicle of Communication - It serves as means to express emotions or feelings of happiness,
sadness, triumph, anger, frustration, etc.

Examples:

Songs: “Where is the Love” by Black Eyed Peas, “Bayan Ko” by Constancio de Guzman and Freddie Aguilar, “Candle in the
Wind” by Elton John, “Fight Song” by Rachel Platten “Born this Way” by Lady Gaga, etc.

Poems: “Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa” by Jose Corazon de Jesus, “Mi Ultimo Adios” (My Last Farewell) by Dr. Jose Rizal,
“Oh Captain, My Captain” by Walt Whitman, “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley, etc.

Sculpture: “Cry of Balintawak Monument”, “EDSA Revolution Monument”, “Rizal Park Monument”, etc.

Dance: “Leron, Leron Sinta”, “Pandango sa Ilaw”, “Cariñosa”, “Urban”, “Hip-hop”, “Contemporary”, etc.

Art is Creation

As used in art, it refers to the act of combining or re-ordering already existing materials so that a new object is formed. It
also refers to creation by imitation. It involves designing, selecting materials, and arranging according to one’s design. No
artist is really original. He always refers to his previous knowledge, and experiences in executing his artwork.

Art is not Nature

Beautiful flowers, animals, rivers, mountains, sunset at Manila Bay are some of the beautiful natural things that cannot
be considered art of man. They are considered perfect art of God. Art is man-made and cannot accurately duplicate or
copy nature. It can just resemble it. Art is non-repeatable and unchanging. Nature always recreate itself and has ways to
beautify itself. Nature serves as models for art. In many ways, we use art to improve, protect, and preserve nature e.g.
landscaping, tree planting, etc.

Art and Beauty

One of the basic human needs of man is desire for beauty and order. They provide comfort, balance, and pleasure to our
lives. Everyone wants order and consistency. Since loud sound is no longer music but noise, hence order and consistency
are needed to appreciate music. But beauty is relative not absolute. The concept of beauty changes (non – permanent) as
time passes e.g. clothing, haircut styles, etc. Concept of beauty varies between cultures e.g. black is beautiful for the
whites. Many expect that arts must always be beautiful, but it is not always the case e.g. the many famous work of
Nunelucio Alvarado (big and short bodied with wide-eyed sacadas of Negros), Manuel Baldemors dirty shanties of slum
dwellers, Gary Granada’s award winning composition about Smokey Mountains’ Scavengers, “Bahay”. What is important
in arts are the order and harmonious arrangement of the formal elements.
THE SUBJECT OF ART
Subject defined

The subject of art refers to any person, refers to any person, object, scene, or event described or represented in a work
of art. Some of the examples are the works of the following artists: the painter, Leonardo da Vinci, whose painting is
“Mona Lisa” where the subject is a person; the composer, Freddie Aguilar, whose song “Anak” has the subject a person;
and “Battle of Pinaglabanan” which subject is an event by Eduardo Castrillo, etc.

Types of Arts Based on Subject

1. Representational Art or Objective Art is a type of art with concrete subject. Example of this is the painting of “Saint
Ezekiel Moreno” and other artworks with identifiable subjects.

2. Non – representational Art or Non – objective Art is a type of art with no concrete subject. It does not represent
description to identifiable object or symbol. The subject is represented by bright light, dark colors, or abstract things or
objects.

Manners of Representing Subjects

1. Realism is a way of depicting things, objects, or persons where they would normally appear in nature. No work of art is
truly realistic; no art is accurate copy of reality.

2. Abstraction is the method of simplifying or organizing objects and elements according to the demands of artistic
expression. Alterations of shapes, colors and positions are sometimes chosen by the artist to depict the objects. In some
cases, enough likeness representing real things has been retained. In other instances, original objects are reduced to
geometric shapes that are difficult to identify.

3. Distortion shows the arrangement of figures wherein the proportions differ noticeably from natural measurements.
This could also mean twisting, stretching, or deforming of the natural shape of the objects. Also, distortion is used to
dramatize the shape of a figure or to create emotional effect to viewers. Other purposes of distortion are to portray
sadness or sufferings and to solicit reactions such as hatred, ridicule, sympathy. Artists employ distortion so that the target
of ridicule would appear hateful like in the editorial cartoons or caricatures. The artist El Greco is noted for his paintings
with elongated bodies of Christ and saints to enhance the illusion of spirituality.

4. Surrealism is a combination of realism and distortion. It expresses what is inside the subconscious of the artist. A
dreamlike scene is manifested to show the irrational arrangement of objects. The images are recognizable from nature
but is combined with unnatural relationship. Example of this is the “Ecco Homo” by Galo Ocampo where Christ is shown
with heart and blood vessels exposed and the background are bombings and dogfights depicting war.

Kinds of Subject
1. Landscapes depict inland physical environments. e.g. mountains, rivers, lakes, farmlands, valleys, country sides,
waterfalls, other inland body of water
2. Seascapes depict the seas and their surroundings including objects and sceneries found on them. e.g. sunset in Manila
Bay, Boracay and other beaches, fishermen, empty boat, ship in open sea, naval battle

3. Cityscapes are urban sceneries. e.g. traffic jams, skyscrapers, slums, schools, churches, concerts, etc.

4. Still life are inanimate objects in an indoor setting. e.g. fruits in a basket, flowers in vase, foods on the table, furniture,
appliances, etc.

5. Animals are the earliest and most popular subject of art. 6. Portraits depict realistic likeness of a person in painting,
sculpture, drawing, or prints and always with clothes. It portrays human character which does not need to be beautiful
but is truthful. The focus is the face, hands, fingers, foot, attire, or accessories. The subject is always a person.

7. Figures the focus is human body either clothed or nude. It represents human form. Sometimes only the body is
emphasized with the absence of the face. e.g. “The Morning Dip” by Fernando Amorsolo, “Naked Maja” by Goya, “The
Reclining Figure” by Henry Moore, “David” by Michaelangelo

8. Everyday Life represents man’s daily activities. e.g. “Planting Rice” and “Laundry Women” by Fernando Amorsolo,
“Sacada of Negros” by Nunelucio Alvarado, “Fisherfolk” by Carlos Francisco, “Candle Vendors” by Vicente Manansala,
“Women Farm Chores” by Anita Magsaysay – Ho

9. History portrays historical scenes or significant events in the past. e.g. “Spolarium” and “Blood Compact” by Juan Luna,
“Assassination of Gov. Gen. Fernando Bustamante” by Felix Hidalgo

10. Legend depicts legendary stories. e.g. “Malakas at Maganda”, “Maria Makiling”, “Sarimanok”, “Alamat ng Pinya”

11. Religion pictures religious symbols and personalities which are used to aid worship and inspire or instruct feeling of
devotion. e.g. “Cross or Crucifix”, “Black Nazarene”, paintings/pictures/images of Christ, Mary and saints, stained glass of
the Station of the Cross, image of Buddha, Shiva, Michaelangelo’s fresco painting in the ceiling of the Sistine chapel

12. Myth represents mythological symbols, gods and goddesses. e.g. “Apollo”, “Zeus”, “Athena”, “Cupid”, “Venus”,
“Tikbalang”, “Aswang”, “Tiyanak”, etc.

13. Dreams describe vague and illogical scenes and sometimes lifelike situation which seems to represent something real,
unless the artist tells us that his work is only a dream.

14. Fantasy is a depiction of strange, irrational and absurd scene. There is a choice to change the scene anytime.

Subject and Content

Subject and content differ from each other. Subject is the object, scene or person depicted by the artist in his artwork. On
the other hand, content is the meaning or message that the artist wants to express or communicate in his work. It is also
the statement we understand or feeling we experienced with the work of art. In literature, it is the “theme”.

THE FUNCTIONS OF ART

General Functions
1. Satisfying individual needs for personal expression

2. Satisfying social needs for display, celebrations, and communications (advertisements, posters, billboards, jingles, ati –
atihan, masskara, sinulog, pintaflores, pahiyas, moriones, santacruzan, etc.)
3. Satisfying physical needs for utilitarian objects and structures (capitol lagoon, San Sebastian Cathedral, malls, plazas,
parks)

Specific Functions
1. Personal Function Art serves the particular needs of individuals. For artists, art serves as vehicle of expression of their
feelings and ideas for self – fulfillment – e.g. a painter paints the portrait of his sweetheart to express his longing for her,
a song composer/writer composed or wrote a song to appease his feeling of loneliness or reaction to the situation. We
sing, dance, paint, compose a poem or song to express our happiness, loneliness, or to do away our boredom. We listen
to music to ease our tension. Art strengthens our awareness of the beautiful in life; hence, it can make our existence less
boring. Art offers us fresh insights about human nature and by this we are given a better understanding of ourselves and
the world around us. Thus, it helps us improve our life. Movies, drama, theater, literature have important roles in
reshaping our life.

2. Social Function Art takes social function when it is used in:

a. influencing social behavior. Artworks take the role of moving people or society to react on certain concern or issues.
They can bring about in us decisions to collectively change, correct or improve upon the human condition.

Example: The use of materials to influence peoples’ beliefs, decisions, tastes, etc. such as:

1. advertisement posters/billboards (cigarettes, liquors, shampoos, milk, medicines, etc.)

2. political, religious, cultural murals, streamers, banners, flags, billboards, flyers, banderittas, effigies

3. social and political photographs depicting poverty, human rights violations and other social issues

4. political and social cartoons (Pol Medina’s “Pugad Baboy”)

5. songs of alternative artists such as: Asin’s “Pagbabalik”, Joey Ayala’s “Magkabilaan”, Pol Galang’s “Bigas hindi
Bala”, Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak”, etc.

6. poems and literary pieces such as: Amado Hernandez’ “Lumuha ka Aking Bayan”, Dr. Jose Rizal’s “Mi Ultimo
Adios”, “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo”, Andres Bonifacio’s “Pag – ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa”

7. movies such as: “Dekada ‘70”, “Eskapo”, “The Flor Contemplacion Story”, “Hotel Rwanda”, “Kinatay”

8. religious visual arts such as: sculptures of saints, religious paintings, and architectural structures as well as
religious music and songs used to spread beliefs and sustain faith

b. display and celebrations. Sculptures and paintings and other visual arts are used to commemorate important
personages and events in society.

Example: statues and monuments of heroes/leaders, images of saints and other religious symbols displayed in
religious venues and events like Christmas lanterns, masks for Moriones and Masskara festivals

3. Physical Function It refers to the function of art wherein it is utilized for the physical, bodily and material needs of man
to make him physically comfortable. Art takes physical function when it is used either as tools or containers.

Example: tools – spoons, cars, ball pens, plates, knives, etc. containers – chairs, buildings, vases,
communities/subdivisions, houses, schools, churches, markets, malls, hospitals, recreation centers, airports,
ports, streets, roads, industrial buildings, parks, plazas, etc.
CHAPTER 2: REPORT
1.PREHISTORIC ART/ CAVE ART

The history of painting spans all cultures and dates back to the time of the prehistoric me who produced their own
artifacts.

Emerged in the absence of written language, prehistoric art served as a medium for early humans to express their
experiences and observations.

Surviving despite centuries of exposure, prehistoric artworks provide detailed glimpses into the daily lives and beliefs of
early human societies, enriching our understanding of pre-written communication eras.

Grotte-Vhauvet in France

▪ The oldest known paintings believed to be about 38,00 years old are found at the Grotte-Vhauvet in France.
▪ The dominant animals throughout the cave are depict horse, rhinoceros, lions, buffalos, and mammoths (Marcos,
2006 as cited by Menoy, 2014).
▪ From the archaeological record, it is clear that these animals were rarely hunted; the images are thus not simple
depictions of daily life at the time they were made.

Antelopes Painting in Altamira Spain

▪ There are also cave. paintings of antelopes in Altamira, Spain (Menoy, 2014).
▪ The cave, discovered by a hunter in 1868, was visited in 1876 by Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola, a local nobleman.
▪ The black paint used in the drawings was determined to be composed largely of charcoal.

In fact, there were numerous paintings and engravings which were found in Europe caves and shelters during the ice Age
roughly between 40,000 and 14,000 years ago.

Hand Cave Art Painting in Font-de-Gaume cave, near Les Eyzies-de-

Tayac-Sireuil, Dordogne départment
Partogonia Argentina
South-west France
9300 years ago
17000 years ago

▪ Paleolithic art was made with the limited materials that were available at the time. Most art cave consists of
paintings made with either red or black pigment.
▪ The reds were made with iron oxides (hematites. whereas manganese dioxide and charcoal were used for the
blacks.
▪ Cave art is generally considered to have a symbolic or religious function, sometimes both.
▪ The exact meanings of the images remain unknown, but some experts think they may have been created within
the framework of shamanic beliefs and practices.
▪ The Paleolithic people also had early forms of animalism or the worship of animals. Beyond just animalism, they
also seem to have believed in animism, meaning giving spirits to natural and inanimate objects, and used rock
paintings and petroglyphs, or rock carvings, for religious or magic rituals.
▪ According to Jean Clottis, in her article,. some experts believed that its characteristics have been created within
the framework of Shamanic beliefs and practices (2023, Clottes)

Chapter 2: THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ART

INTRODUCTION TO THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF VISUAL ARTS: PAINTING,

ARCHITECTURE, AND SCULPTURE
1.Prehistoric Period/Cave Art
The history of painting spans all cultures and dates back to the time of the prehistoric men who produced their own
artifacts. The oldest known paintings believed to be about 32,00 years old are found at the Grotte-Vhauvet in France and
depict horse, rhinoceros, lions, buffalos, and mammoths (Marcos, 2006 as cited by Menoy, 2014). There are also cave
paintings of antelopes in Altamira, Spain (Menoy, 2014). In fact, there were numerous paintings and engravings which
were found in Europe caves and shelters during the Ice Age roughly between 40,000 and 14,000 years ago. Most of the
cave art consist of paintings made with either red or black pigments. The reds were made with iron oxides (hematite),
whereas manganese dioxide and charcoal were used for the blacks. Cave art is considered to be either or both religious
or symbolic functions. According to Jean Clottis, in her article, some experts believed that its characteristics have been
created within the framework of Shamanic beliefs and practices (Aller and Autida, 2018).

2.Egyptian Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture

The Egyptian painting is associated with pre-historic times. It focuses more on expressions of concepts rather than a record
of sensory experience and mastery over reality. Hieroglyphics, the Egyptian writing system was a form of picture writing
and it is considered as the first art form that is presented with images. The three stages in the development of Egyptian
painting are:

a. Old Kingdom. Painting in this period is associated with worship and life after death

b. Middle Kingdom. Painting in this period is associated with scenes from local wars, animal life, dancing, and hunting
scenes.

c. New Kingdom. Painting in this period is found in rock tombs depicting scenes of funerals and pilgrimages.

The Egyptian architects and engineers are skillful in building temples, palaces, and funeral tomb of the pharaohs. Egyptian
architects were the first to use stone column in building homes. They use simple yet powerful tools; they build large
structure of stones with accuracy and precision by multitude of workers and construction details to ensure a good quality
of work, and pure geometric forms in the making of the buildings and tombs. Thus, most of the architectural styles
common to Egyptian buildings, temples, tombs, and palaces include: most temples are made of stones instead of bricks
for durability purposes, most of the sculptures of the pharaohs are done in granite, mammoth rectangular plan of
limestone with stopping pylons with gorge molding, bud and flower capitals from post-lintel-construction and
monumental obelisks and sphinxes fronting pylons.

Egyptian pyramids were built during the old and middle kingdoms. The first regarded as the “true pyramid” was built in
Sakkara for King Dioser. It is called as the step pyramid due to its shape resembling steps. Later, Egyptians built pyramids
with four smooth faces during the 4th dynasty. One of the most famous pyramids built by King Cheops about 4, 500 years
ago is the Great Pyramid of Giza (the last of the Seven Wonders of the World).

Egyptians also built temples which are considered to be the home of the gods. It is in the temples where Egyptians
worshipped their gods and perform rites for good growing and abundance of their crops and for cultivation success.

Egyptian Sculptures are all figurines of the same sizes except the Pharaohs, which emphasis power. Other characteristics
include: compositions are always symmetrical and perfectly arranged, solemn and ceremonious, and utilitarian in nature.

In general, Egyptian art characteristics include: (1) art is the propagandistic support of the power of the state religion, (2)
figures show position of frontality and fixed concepts are repeated, (3) symbolic geometry, (4) animals and plants are
commonly the subjects of their paintings and even on ceramics, and (5) Egyptian art is religious and serving propaganda.

GREEK PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE

“The Glory that was Greece” was always the title given to Greece because of their great contribution in the different fields
of humanities to world civilization. Greece is considered to be the birthplace of Western civilization. Thus, most of the
achievement of the Greeks in terms of painting, sculpture, and architecture can still be felt and seen today. Thus, the
Greek incorporated a fundamental principle of their culture, ARETE, meaning EXCELLENCE AND REACHING ONE’S FULL
POTENTIAL.

The development of Greek art can be traced back from the two great civilizations developed in Crete and in mainland
Greece: The Minoan Civilization and Mycenaean Civilization. Minoan Civilization started in 2,600 BCE led by King Minos.
The people during this civilization have worked with bronze and gold thus, developing a system of writing. During this
time, the Minoans built magnificent palaces which housed the royal families, priests, and the government. The palace of
Knossos is the famous which is a small city consisting of 800 rooms. The walls of the rooms were brightly painted with
lively scenes showing men and women athletes, fanciful animals, and scenes of the daily lives of people. At this point, the
Minoans led by their king, Minos, began to establish maritime activities aside from the magnificent palaces and buildings
that were built; they create fresco paintings, stone carvings, and ceramics. Thus, the Minoans are skilled artisans for they
also made decorated fine pottery, bronze daggers tools and are exporting honey and olive oil to places such as Egypt, Asia
Minor, Syria, and Greece. The Minoan Civilization declined due to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Mycenaean Civilization rule Crete and mainland Greece about 1900 BCE, thus, it is the dominating force in the
Mediterranean. At this time, warrior kings ruled walled cities built around the palaces at Mycenae, Thebes, and other
places in Southern Greece. The first palace built during this time was investigated by the archaeologist since it was then
believed that Mycenae was the richest and important town. They Mycenaean borrowed from the Minoan Civilization such
that pottery and jewelry that were decorated with design in the Minoan style and that Mycenaean kings employed Minoan
artisans and they took the Minoan’s sea trade to Italy, Egypt, Phoenicia, and Sicily. The Mycenaean were destroyed by the
Dorian which caused the decline and the downfall of their civilization.

In Greece, the practice of fine art comprised the three basic periods:

1. Archaic Period (c. 650-480 BCE) It is the period of gradual experimentation.

2. Classical Period (c. 480-323 BCE) The period witnessed the flowering of mainland Greece power and artistic
dominations.
3. Hellenistic Period (c. 323 -27 BCE) This period opened with the death of Alexander the Great, massive Greek cultural
influence, the creation of “Greek style Art” and the period of the decline and fall of Greece and the rise of Rome.

The Archaic Greek Pottery is the most developed art of the pre-Archaic period. It involves large vases and other vessels
which are decorated with linear designs, triangles, zigzags and other similar shapes. Also, the ceramic figurine painting
depicts the Greek fascination with the human body which is considered to be the noblest subjects in painting and
sculpture. The Archaic Greek Architecture began in 6th and 7th centuries in which stones where used to build Greek public
buildings most especially temples. It relied on simple post-lintel building techniques and that the Greek architects were
the first to base their architectural design in standard of proportionality. The three orders of the Greek architecture
include:

a. Doric. It is the simplest of the three Greek columns with no base and slight tapered column. It is used in mainland
Greece and later Greek settlements in Italy. This type of column symbolizes the “STRENGTH AND NOBILITY OF THE
GREEKS”.

b. Ionic. It comprised of hair like design on both side of the capital. It is used in buildings along with the west coast of
Turkey and the Aegean Islands. The column signifies “TENDERNESS AND BEING NATURAL OF THE GREEKS”.

c. Corinthian. It comprised of a flowerlike design placed on a basket on its capital. The column symbolizes the “ANXIETY
AND INSECURETIES OF THE GREEKS”.

The Archaic Greek Sculpture is heavily influenced by the Egyptian sculpture as well as the Syrian techniques. It created
stone friezes, statues in stone, terracotta and bronze and small works made up of ivory and bones. Marble and wooden
sculptures were colored with tempera and encaustics. The Archaic Greek Painting involves Fresco painting which is
decorated on temples, buildings, and tombs. The Classical Greek Sculpture subjects were usually gods and goddesses and
bronze became the main medium for free-standing works and anatomy become more accurate since the Greek artists
starts to render human and animal forms in a realistic manner. It is less rigid than the Archaic sculpture. Artworks in this
period have featured flexed knees, turned heads, and contemplative expressions which were regarded as attempts to
suggest motion, thoughts and naturalism.

On the other hand, the Hellenistic Sculpture is much more varied and extreme than the sculptures that are produced
during the Classical period. Some of the most beautiful pieces of Greek statuary during this period include: Nike of
Samonthrace, the Dying Gaul, Apollo Belvedere, and the Lacoön Group, date back to Hellenistic times.

Hellenistic Sculpture (323 B.C. to 31 B.C.) was much more varied and extreme than sculpture produced during the Classical
period. Some of the most beautiful pieces of Greek statuary, including Nike of Samonthrace, the Dying Gaul, Apollo
Belvedere , and the Lacoön Group, date back to Hellenistic times.

With the great achievements of the Greeks in Arts, it produced five Wonders of the World namely: Colossus of Rhodes,
Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, Statue of Zeus at Olympia, Mausoleum of Halicarnassus, Lighthouse of Alexandria which
ruins and even fragments have been survived at this time (Aller and Autida, 2018).

MEDIEVAL PAINTING, SCULPTURE, AND ARCHITECTURE

Medieval art has continually advanced throughout the medieval times in fact some of the advances are brought about by
the emergence of the Pre-renaissance time. Most of the artworks produced in this time are purely religious artworks
which came in different forms such as mosaics, manuscripts, and fresco paintings which mostly can be found in churches.
Medieval art includes the use of vivid colors, most masterpieces where created mainly for churches where arts are made
to glorify God rather than for aesthetic appeal and appreciation, sculpture appear to be larger than other figures
surrounding, and art subjects mostly revolved around holy family and saints although some sculptures and paintings depict
war scenes. Since there are so many types of medieval arts, historians classify them according to their major periods of
the middle ages along with their styles. These include: early Christian art, Migration Period art, Byzantine art, Insular art,
Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic art. Anglo-saxon art and Norse art where also included as based on their
cultures and nations together with their distinctive styles.

The Anglo-saxon Art used bright and vivid colors in illustrating their manuscripts. They reflect the migration period
towards the British Isle. Also, their metal works were truly fine and highly intricate works of art.

The Romanesque Art is greatly influenced by the Byzantine art. It is characterized by the preservation of iconic biblical
events that took place and kept records of important figures such as influential leaders of their times. Romanesque art
also is characterized by its beautiful styles in painting and sculpture. Moreover, it shows illuminated Romanesque
manuscripts with lavish color decoration which can be seen in the bibles and also colored décors in capital columns
showing excitement, great powers, and mastery designs and also it artworks depict scenes from several carved figures.

The Byzantine Art is developed from the arts of the Roman Empire embracing its classical heritage; it is greatly influenced
by the Ancient Greek and Egyptians arts. Byzantine art is mostly concerned with religious expressions, translation of the
church teachings into artistic forms such as paintings, sculptures, and mosaics. Thus, artworks produced during this time
are highly sophisticated artistic design and it is therefore highly revival of the classical aesthetics.

The Gothic Art emerged during the Medieval Gothic period that lasted for more than 200 years. It is a style of Medieval
art which emerged in northern France preceding to the Romanesque Art in the early 12th century. Gothic art painting is
presented in a more animated facial expressions and pose. Also, art forms in this period are fresco sculpture, illuminated
manuscripts, panel paintings, and stained glass painting of both secular and Christian essence.

ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE
Islamic Architecture is defined as the building traditions of Muslim populations of the Middle East and any countries
wherein the religion Islam has been dominant from the 7th century on. Most common types of Islamic Architectures
include: (1) Mosque, it is the Muslim Center and place of worship, (2) Madrasah, it is the Muslim’s public school, (3)
Hammam, it is a structural design for a hot bathhouse, (4) Caravanserai, it refers to a roadside inn for travelers, (5) Casbah/
Citadel, it a fortress, and (5) Mausoleum, it is a tomb or a monument. Islamic architecture consists of a wide range of both
secular and religious styles from the foundation of Islam to the present day, thus, it influences the design and construction
of buildings and structures as far Islamic culture.

In the Philippines especially in Mindanao, a lot of mosques were built famous of it geometric designs. Hence, the
integration of Chinese and Muslim forms and style elements is a characteristic feature of the early church building.
Common Interpretations of Islamic architecture include: the concept of Allah’s infinite power is manifested in designs and
repeating themes, human and animal forms are rarely depicted in decorative arts as Allah’s work is matchless, the
architecture of Islam focused on interior rather than exterior space, and the building of impressive domes, minarets, and
large courtyards are intended to convey power (Aller and Autida, 2018).

RENAISSANCE PERIOD
The word Renaissance is derived from the Latin word “RENASCERE” which means “rebirth “or “revival”. Thus, this period
marks the revival or rebirth of cultural awareness which occurred in the 14th to 15th century. At this period of time,
artworks are reverted back to Greek and Roman art influences. More so, it is then the revival of classical art, literature,
architecture, and learning which originated in Italy and later spread in some parts in Europe. Most of the artworks in this
period emphasizes on the following: sciences, humans and their environment and philosophy. Thus, it concentrates much
on religious subject matters which contain symbols and are realistic. Moreover, it concerns more about life towards new
discoveries, it is more sacred or biblical and even nude. Renaissance art is divided into three periods:

a. Early Renaissance. This period characterized by simplicity, gesture, and expression styles of painting. Thus, paintings in
this period use man and fresco techniques.

b. High Renaissance. The center of this period is in Florence, Venice, and Rome. The characteristics of the art works in this
period include: deepening of the pictorial space, and making the sky more dramatic with dark cloud.

c. Late Renaissance /Mannerism Period. The period characterized human figures as the subject matter of their artworks.
Artists use warm and sensual colors and oil painting in producing such work of arts (Aller and Autida, 2018).

MANNERISM PERIOD
After the Renaissance period, it is followed by the Mannerism art movement. Mannerism is derived from the Italian word
“MANIERA” meaning MANNER or STYLE, a term which denoting to exaggerated, foreshortening and elongated features.
Thus, concepts of artworks during this period are into distorting elements to produce drama, unusual lighting effects,
frequent eroticism, bright colors, fine detail, spatial, scenic and dramatic distorted poses, perfect elegance and
mathematical in nature. Artists belonged in this period create works of art aims to renew religious spirit. Hence, it is known
to be the first international style of Western Art which is then also belongs to the Late Renaissance period.

BAROQUE PERIOD

This particular art movement gives emphasis on exaggerated motion, easily interrupted details; thus, artworks in this
period produce drama, grandeur, tension, exuberance, dramatic poses and even passionate expressions. Also, during this
period, art forms are more theatrical, having elaborate ornamentation, religious grandeur and even dynamic. Baroque art
movement flourished in the following countries: Italy, Spain, Flanders (Southern Netherlands), Dutch Republic (Northern
Netherlands), France, and England. This particular art movement coincides with the worldwide mercantilism, age of
exploration, advances in shipbuilding, extensive voyaging and improved cartography. Characteristics of Baroque in Italy,
Spain and Flanders are the following: didactic to spiritual purposes, possessing theatrical effects, grand buildings, and
strongly supported by the Pope. Characteristics of Baroque art in France include: opulence, identified with absolutism,
being simplistic and dignified.

ROCOCO PERIOD

It is an art movement that is the extension of the Baroque Period which flourished in France. The term Rococo was derived
from the French Word, “ROCAILLE” which means bits of rocky decorations which can be found in a 16th century
architectural ideas. Common characteristics of the art works found in this period are: the use of light or pastel colors,
curvaceous forms, graceful lines, cherubs with myths of love, highly ornate and exquisite study of details which these are
found in furniture, panels, vases, and urns. Moreover, subjects of the artworks in period are always in the center of the
canvass.

NEO- CLASSICISM PERIOD

It is a movement in the western art that coincides with the Age of Enlightenment during the 18th century. It is the period
of revival of the styles and spirit of classical antiquity especially in the field of architecture. Moreover, the artworks in this
period are inspired mainly excavated figurines and sculptures in Roman and Greek colony archaeological sites and also
the revival of the Roman and Greek traditions. Characteristics of the artworks found in this period include: precise details,
dynamism, elegance and simplicity, strong horizontal and vertical lines, shallow spaces, sober colors, and clarity in forms.

ROMANTICISM PERIOD
It is the art movement began in Germany and England and later spread throughout the different parts of Europe. It is the
style of art that found its subject in the world of dramatic and exotic; a style of art and literature which draws on the
imagination rather than nationalism, thus, appealed to the emotions of the audience. This particular art movement gives
emphasis in the painter’s reaction to the past events, peoples, and landscapes. Romantic art forms provide deep love of
nature and concerns about the metamorphosis of the world into a new golden age in the powers of the imagination.
Moreover, it also depicts realistic figures with psychological attitudes. Common characteristics of artworks in this period
also include: individualism, exoticism, and of emotions and is the revival of Gothic.