| Painting is the art of applying pigments to a | | | | Early medieval painting is characterized by |
| surface whether it is on paper, canvas, a | | | | Celtic, Carolingian and Romanesque art where |
| wall or any other medium, to create an image | | | | form has been adapted for the illustration |
| with lines and colors. The image can | | | | and illumination of Christian texts. Gothic |
| represent real objects found around us or | | | | art generally depicted subjects related to |
| imaginary ones. It may also be an | | | | architecture. The Pre-Renaissance period |
| arrangement of abstract forms. The art of | | | | show a revival of interest in classical art. |
| drawing is very essential in painting as one | | | | It produced the International style which is |
| step together with composition and other | | | | characterized by refinement, decorative |
| aesthetic consideration in forming the | | | | movement, elongated and swaying figures and |
| finished work. | | | | linear pattern. The perfection of the |
| | | | technique of oil painting during the |
| History has allowed painting to serve a | | | | Late-Gothic period made it possible to |
| variety of functions. It was an important | | | | produce brilliant colors, minute details and |
| part of religious rites during prehistoric | | | | permanence of finish. |
| times. It was also the most common means of | | | | |
| providing a visual record of events and | | | | The Renaissance period put much emphasis on |
| people. By the 20th century, painting has | | | | man and the world rather than God. |
| become a medium of personal expression. | | | | High-Renaissance was generally applied to the |
| Modern artists have incorporated other | | | | period when the idea of classical, balanced |
| materials such as sand, cement, straw and | | | | harmony was achieved. The Mannerist style |
| wood to add variation to the texture. The | | | | followed which was ironically characterized |
| concept has slowly eclipsed the historic | | | | by disturbing tensions and distortions. It |
| value of the craft but this has not deterred | | | | was soon replaced by Baroque painting which |
| most artists to continue practicing it. | | | | used the elements of dynamic pose, gesture |
| | | | and composition as well as the sharp contrast |
| The Prehistoric times saw paintings of | | | | between light and shadow. The style of the |
| animals in the walls of the caves of | | | | 18th century exalts color, light and movement |
| primitive men. The Egyptians decorated tombs | | | | and bordered on the frivolous and concern |
| with scenes depicting the dead man's family | | | | with pleasure. It was during the latter part |
| and possessions. The more lively Minoan | | | | of the period that artists began to paint for |
| painting was used to decorate stuccoed walls | | | | themselves rather than to please the church. |
| of palaces. Mycenaean culture changed this | | | | The 19th century gave rise to Romanticism, |
| painting to depict conquests and hunts. | | | | Realism and Impressionism. Expressionism, |
| Classical Greek paintings have simplified | | | | Fauvism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism and |
| forms and geometric patterns. Etruscan | | | | Non-Objective art are all products of the |
| painting put emphasis on silhouettes, | | | | 20th century. |
| ornamental contour and design. There was a | | | | |
| new interest in emotional and psychological | | | | Time has produced several styles, each a |
| effects as seen on Roman painting. Early | | | | reflection of what happened during a certain |
| Christian painting rejected illusionism where | | | | period. This is why a painting is able to |
| modeling was replaced by flat decorative | | | | provide anyone with a rich visual experience |
| patters. The Byzantine style combined | | | | that cannot be found anywhere else. You can |
| elements of Greek, Roman and Eastern art. | | | | only learn to appreciate a painting by |
| Much of the decoration was done in Mosaic | | | | reading and studying information about |
| which was highly favored due to its | | | | artists, styles and periods. From there, you |
| durability. Islamic artists created | | | | will see each work and the particular point |
| ornamental designs called arabesques because | | | | of view as seen by the artist himself. |
| the Islam religion forbade representation of | | | | |
| human beings in art. Chinese and Japanese | | | | Tom Takihi is the proud owner of the Discover |
| painting revealed the constant | | | | Network. For more information on this topic, |
| extraordinarily skillful use of the brush. | | | | please visit the dedicated portal website. |
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