Art

**Art** is any object or activity with a primarily expressive purpose. While the arts encompass music, literature, dance, theater, film, etc., for categorization purposes we consider it to mainly mean the concrete visual arts: paintings and sculpture.

The art world encompasses not only artists but also people like collectors, dealers, critics and the general public as audience. Art may be found in galleries, museums and other public and private settings. Art is often an expression of a religious nature and so is found in churches and other sacred environments.

## Art Movements

Particularly in the Western world, art history is often interpreted in terms of overlapping movements, as artists make works in conversation with other creators. Some of the most prominent movements include:

### **Renaissance**

(14th-17th centuries) A period of artistic and cultural revival in Europe, characterized by realistic depictions, scientific perspective, and a focus on humanism. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael were key figures.

### **Baroque**

(17th century) An extravagant and dynamic style that emerged after the Renaissance, known for dramatic lighting, intense emotions, and opulent compositions. Caravaggio and Peter Paul Rubens were prominent Baroque artists.

### **Rococo**

(18th century) A decorative and ornate style marked by pastel colors, intricate details, and themes of romance and fantasy.

### **Neoclassicism**

(Late 18th-early 19th centuries) A return to classical themes, order, and restraint, influenced by ancient Greek and Roman art.

### **Romanticism**

(Late 18th-19th centuries) Emphasized emotion, nature, and individualism, often exploring the sublime and fantastical.

### **Realism**

(19th century) Focused on portraying everyday life and social issues with accuracy and attention to detail.

### **Impressionism**

(Late 19th century) Characterized by capturing fleeting moments of light and color, often in outdoor settings. Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Pierre-Auguste Renoir were key Impressionist artists. Followed by the Post-Impressionists, artists like Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Georges Seurat who continued to explore color and form while departing from strict Impressionist techniques.

### **Cubism**

(Early 20th century) Introduced fragmented forms and multiple viewpoints, challenging traditional perspectives. Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque were pioneers of Cubism.

### **Surrealism**

(Early-mid 20th century) Explored the unconscious mind and dreams through bizarre and illogical imagery. Salvador Dalí and René Magritte were prominent Surrealist artists.

### **Abstract Expressionism**

(Mid-20th century) Emphasized spontaneous and emotional gestures in abstract artworks. Jackson Pollock and Willem de Kooning were central figures.

### **Pop Art**

(Mid-20th century) Celebrated mass culture and consumerism through everyday objects and popular imagery. Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein were leading Pop Art artists.

### **Minimalism**

(Mid-late 20th century) Reduced art to its essential elements, often using simple geometric forms and industrial materials.

### **Conceptual Art**

(Late 20th century) Emphasized ideas and concepts over traditional artistic materials, challenging the definition of art itself. Yoko Ono was an influential Conceptual artist.