Watercolor painting was developed first. Watercolor painting dates back to ancient times, with evidence of its use in Paleolithic Europe and ancient Egypt. It became a more formalized art form in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Oil painting, while it began to emerge in the 12th century in Europe, did not become the dominant painting medium until the 15th century with the innovation of techniques by the Van Eyck brothers. Therefore, watercolor painting predates oil painting by centuries.