History of Art & Design
Topics
1. Prehistoric Art
2. Religious Art
3. Italian Renaissance
4. Major Isms
5. Development of art in India
6. Traditional Arts Of India, China, Japan
7. Art and Design of 20th and 21st Century
,1. Prehistoric Art
What is prehistoric era art?
Prehistoric art refers to all art that was created before cultures had developed more complex forms of
expression and communication such as a written language. Prehistoric art can not only be described as
art found on cave walls.
How was prehistoric art made?
The first paintings were cave paintings. Ancient peoples decorated walls of protected caves with paint
made from dirt or charcoal mixed with spit or animal fat.
When did prehistoric art start?
Recent archaeological discoveries appear to confirm that prehistoric cave art began between 290,000
BC and 700,000 BC, a period known as the Lower Palaeolithic Era. The inhabitants at the time, the Cro-
Magnon people (early homo-sapiens), were the first civilized ancestors of the modern European
,What are the two basic styles of prehistoric art?
Two main forms of Prehistoric art are known to modern scholars: small sculptures; and monumental
paintings, incised designs, and reliefs on the walls of caves.
What tools did prehistoric artists use?
Painting Tools
Mined mineral pigments mixed with animal fats and plant juices produced rudimentary painting sticks.
Sometimes the crayons contained additives such as ground feldspar or biotite mica as extenders. Paint
applied with swabs and pads, probably made from moss and animal fur, created mottled effects
Prehistoric Period
The prehistoric era is the witness of the time when there was no record of human activity or writings.
prehistory also refers to the hunter-gather lifestyle of people in that era/ period. Pre-history is the fact of
origin of human activities and civilization thousands of years ago. In general, prehistory is divided into 3 ages
and hence the name was given ” A 3 Age System”.
The 3 ages are Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. These 3 ages give pieces of evidence of human activity
in ancient times. These ages are evolutionary ages in humankind.
1. Stone Age
Stone Age is the very first age notice the change in human civilization. Use of stone and tools made up of
stones were used. The stone age further divides into 3 more sub-parts and they are as follows:
Palaeolithic Age: In Palaeolithic age or old stone age. Humans were unaware of methods of cooking,
agriculture. the main occupation of those times was food gathering and hunting. Everything man
used was made up of stone in this time like his shelter, hunting tools. This period lasted from
5,00,000 BC to 10,000 BC.
, Mesolithic Age: In Mesolithic age or middle stone age. Humans started using bow and arrows for
hunting of animals. Hunting of small animals like fish begin using sharp tools which are also known as
microlights-pointed. This period lasted from 10,000 BC to 6,000 BC.
Neolithic Age: In Neolithic age or the last phase of the stone age. A remarkable change in the human
civilization is marked in this age. Cultivation of plants and domestic animals led to human civilization.
Improvement in tools and other equipment. Mud bricks houses were made during this period. This
period lasted from 6,000 BC to 1,000 BC
2. Metal Age
The metal age marks the end of the stone age. Metal age is broadly categorized into two ages and they are
as follows
Bronze Age: Bronze itself is harder and more durable than other metals available at the time,
allowing bronze age civilizations to gain a technological advantage. This age was the first witness in
Egypt. Most commonly metals in this period were copper and bronze.
Iron Age: In the 19th century, the use of iron increased and hence rise of Iron Age. This age is the last
age of the “3 Age System”. This age brought an end to the bronze age. Weapons were also made of
iron in this era.
Topics
1. Prehistoric Art
2. Religious Art
3. Italian Renaissance
4. Major Isms
5. Development of art in India
6. Traditional Arts Of India, China, Japan
7. Art and Design of 20th and 21st Century
,1. Prehistoric Art
What is prehistoric era art?
Prehistoric art refers to all art that was created before cultures had developed more complex forms of
expression and communication such as a written language. Prehistoric art can not only be described as
art found on cave walls.
How was prehistoric art made?
The first paintings were cave paintings. Ancient peoples decorated walls of protected caves with paint
made from dirt or charcoal mixed with spit or animal fat.
When did prehistoric art start?
Recent archaeological discoveries appear to confirm that prehistoric cave art began between 290,000
BC and 700,000 BC, a period known as the Lower Palaeolithic Era. The inhabitants at the time, the Cro-
Magnon people (early homo-sapiens), were the first civilized ancestors of the modern European
,What are the two basic styles of prehistoric art?
Two main forms of Prehistoric art are known to modern scholars: small sculptures; and monumental
paintings, incised designs, and reliefs on the walls of caves.
What tools did prehistoric artists use?
Painting Tools
Mined mineral pigments mixed with animal fats and plant juices produced rudimentary painting sticks.
Sometimes the crayons contained additives such as ground feldspar or biotite mica as extenders. Paint
applied with swabs and pads, probably made from moss and animal fur, created mottled effects
Prehistoric Period
The prehistoric era is the witness of the time when there was no record of human activity or writings.
prehistory also refers to the hunter-gather lifestyle of people in that era/ period. Pre-history is the fact of
origin of human activities and civilization thousands of years ago. In general, prehistory is divided into 3 ages
and hence the name was given ” A 3 Age System”.
The 3 ages are Stone Age, Bronze Age, and Iron Age. These 3 ages give pieces of evidence of human activity
in ancient times. These ages are evolutionary ages in humankind.
1. Stone Age
Stone Age is the very first age notice the change in human civilization. Use of stone and tools made up of
stones were used. The stone age further divides into 3 more sub-parts and they are as follows:
Palaeolithic Age: In Palaeolithic age or old stone age. Humans were unaware of methods of cooking,
agriculture. the main occupation of those times was food gathering and hunting. Everything man
used was made up of stone in this time like his shelter, hunting tools. This period lasted from
5,00,000 BC to 10,000 BC.
, Mesolithic Age: In Mesolithic age or middle stone age. Humans started using bow and arrows for
hunting of animals. Hunting of small animals like fish begin using sharp tools which are also known as
microlights-pointed. This period lasted from 10,000 BC to 6,000 BC.
Neolithic Age: In Neolithic age or the last phase of the stone age. A remarkable change in the human
civilization is marked in this age. Cultivation of plants and domestic animals led to human civilization.
Improvement in tools and other equipment. Mud bricks houses were made during this period. This
period lasted from 6,000 BC to 1,000 BC
2. Metal Age
The metal age marks the end of the stone age. Metal age is broadly categorized into two ages and they are
as follows
Bronze Age: Bronze itself is harder and more durable than other metals available at the time,
allowing bronze age civilizations to gain a technological advantage. This age was the first witness in
Egypt. Most commonly metals in this period were copper and bronze.
Iron Age: In the 19th century, the use of iron increased and hence rise of Iron Age. This age is the last
age of the “3 Age System”. This age brought an end to the bronze age. Weapons were also made of
iron in this era.
