Ancient Egyptian art is renowned for its precise and detailed depictions of rulers and gods. The Ancient Egyptians excelled in sculpture, architecture, and hieroglyphics. Rather than individual artistic styles, they adhered to the conventions of their time, aiming to represent the relationships between humans, kings, and gods. The influence of Greeks and Romans in Egypt resulted in a fusion of artistic styles and techniques.

Carvings, sculptures, and pigmented tombstone paintings were common during this period, which spanned thousands of years and included eight distinct dynasties with various pharaohs and political leaders.

Ancient Greek art focused heavily on the human form, often depicting athleticism in a realistic but idealized manner. The Greeks were also known for their intricate sculptures and pottery designs. The Ancient Greeks developed the contrapposto technique in sculpture, which was a natural pose, whereby the figure rests their weight on one knee. This post created a sense of balance and realism in their sculptures. The contrapposto technique was later picked up by artists from the Renaissance and Neoclassical periods.

Ancient Greek art can be further categorized into the Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic periods. The Archaic period saw the introduction of new techniques such as marble carving, while the Classical period is known for its portrayal of motion and emotion in sculpture and painting. The Hellenistic period saw an influence from Eastern cultures, leading to more elaborate designs and decorative elements. The Greeks used encaustic and tempera painting mediums and substrates such as wooden boards to create portraits, figural scenes and still lives.

Western Medieval art saw a shift towards Christian themes and the rise of religious institutions such as the Catholic Church.

With paintings often depicting biblical scenes and figures. Gold was commonly used in illuminated manuscripts and paintings, giving a sense of richness and importance to the subject matter.

One of the most famous artworks from this period is the Bayeux Tapestry. Which is a 230-foot-long embroidered cloth depicting the Norman conquest of England.

The medieval time period encompasses many sub-classifications of art styles and movements, including Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic and Coptic art.

The Renaissance art movement, characterized by realism and classical themes, emerged in Italy during the 14th century and spread throughout Europe.

During this period, there came a renewed interest in classical studies of Greek and Roman literature and art. The Mannerism period which marked the end of the Renaissance was characterized by expressiveness, theatricality and artificiality, which began to diverge from the style of the High Renaissance.

Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Donatello were some of the most influential figures in the Renaissance art movement. Their works often depicted classical themes, mythology and religious subjects. Their paintings demonstrated naturalistic techniques such as linear perspective to create a sense of depth in their paintings and sculptures.

Artists began to work with oil paints in this period and from working with this new medium came new paint application techniques that are still taught today. Artists would paint in layers, using techniques such as glazing. Techniques such as sfumato, where oil paints are blended to create a smoky appearance were invented by da Vinci. Sfumato was a technique used in the painting the Mona Lisa, around her mouth to create the illusion of a smile. The famous Mona Lisa, which came out of the High Renaissance period is regarded as the most famous painting in the world.

The Baroque style followed, featuring exaggerated motion and clear detail to produce drama, emotion, and tension. Baroque paintings were often theatrical and used symbolism to convey narratives.

The Dutch Golden Age, a time of great prosperity in the Netherlands, saw artists like Rembrandt become famous for their portraits and genre scenes. Baroque art also spread to Catholic countries such as Italy. Caravaggio used the chiaroscuro or ‘tenebrism‘ techniques. This is the use of dramatic lighting and contrasted values to create emotion and tension in a scene. Portrait artists still use this technique today.

Rococo art emerged in France as a more lighthearted and playful art style, which contrasted to the serious and classical styles of the Baroque period. Pastel colors, ornate details, and scenes of leisure and pleasure characterize the Rococo art style. Artists often portrayed romanticized scenes of aristocratic parties, music concerts, and outdoor excursions in their paintings and sculptures. Notable Rococo artists include Jean-Antoine Watteau and François Boucher.

Neoclassicism came about as a reaction against the vanity, frivolity and excess of the Rococo movement. Neoclassical artists looked to classical art and culture, particularly Ancient Roman and Greek, for inspiration and used it to convey moral messages and values.

The 18th and 19th centuries were labeled the periods of enlightenment due to the abundance of scientific discoveries across this time period. Artists wanted their artworks to live up to the standards of the Romans’ and Greeks’ art.

Neoclassical art often features heroic figures from history or mythology, depicted in a serious manner with strong lines and minimal colors.

The neoclassical style spread throughout Europe and beyond, influencing movements such as the American Federal style in architecture.

Romanticism was an art style that emphasized emotion and individual expression. The art movement was spurred by a desire for liberty during times of political upheaval, such as the French Revolution.

This art movement came about against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution; artists were reacting to societal norms of the age of Enlightenment, where the course of human history was changed by new scientific discoveries, rationalisation of nature and the modern sprawl of society.

Romantic artists depicted scenes of drama and passion, often including elements of nature or the supernatural. They also delved into personal emotions and expressions through self-portraits and depictions of the human psyche. Notable Romantic artists include Eugene Delacroix and Caspar David Friedrich who are known for their use of dramatic scenes, and emotive subject matter. Caspar David Friedrich painted ethereal-looking scenes, of morning mist, ruins and mysterious figures in the landscape.

The Romantic movement was widespread throughout Europe and had a lasting impact on future art movements such as Symbolism and Expressionism. The themes in Romantic art are often the emphasis on sublimity in nature, individualism, emotion and the past.

The Romanticism art movement used medievalism as a source of inspiration, idealizing fantasy, spontaneity, and visceral reactions to the environment to revolt against the progressive rationalism at the time. The Romantic art style served almost as an escapism from the industrialized society.

Academic art is an art style and method of teaching art developed in the 19th century. The Academies were official institutions where artists would learn the principles and techniques of fine arts, such as drawing from models and studying classical artworks. This movement was largely influenced by Renaissance art and the classical tradition, but also incorporated techniques from contemporary movements such as Neoclassicism.

Academic artists focused on creating realistic and technically proficient artwork, often depicting historical, mythological or religious scenes. These works were highly polished and precise, with clean lines and realistic representations of the human figure. Notable Academic artists include Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres and William-Adolphe Bouguereau.

The Academic art movement was highly influential in Europe and the United States, with many major art institutions teaching this method until the late 19th century when impressionism and other modern movements began to gain popularity. Despite its decline in mainstream art, the principles of academic art are still taught in many art schools and its influence can be seen in representational figurative art today.

Realism was an art movement from the mid-19th century; artists sought to depict everyday life and contemporary society in a realistic manner, without idealization or romanticization. Realist artists focused on objective reality and the mundane, often drawing inspiration from the working class and rural subjects. Symbolism and supernatural themes were often omitted, in favor of depicting the “real” world as it was.

Famous Realist artists include Gustave Courbet and Jean-Francois Millet, who were known for their depictions of peasant life and natural landscapes. The Realist movement had a significant impact on future art movements such as Hyperrealism and Photorealism.

Realism veered away from the stylised and exaggerated depictions of life in previous art movements, in favour of embracing the everyday world. The naturalism movement was closely related to the realism movement; artists aimed to represent nature as they saw it, without stylization.

The Impressionist movement was a popular art movement in France in the mid-19th century. The goal of the Impressionism art style is to capture nature, with a focus on the appearance of light and colour, as opposed to a focus on realism or rendering details.

Impressionism is one of the most well-known art movements and it emerged in France in the late 19th century. Artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir focused on capturing the fleeting impressions and effects of light in their paintings.

Painters would apply paint in thick, loose brushstrokes, using a technique called impasto painting to create texture on the canvas surface.

Monet would apply unmixed paint colors to the canvas to create a sense of diversity and movement on the surface. This leads to the viewer mixing colors optically rather than physically, as the eye blends them.

Impressionist artists in France rejected the notion of exhibitions and academies controlled by the state, in favor of independent exhibitions. From this, more individual and painterly art styles flourished that exemplified the joy of using color and of painting itself. This contrasted to the more restrictive and realistic representations of subject matter that the academies taught.

Post-Impressionism was closely related to the Impressionism art style and art movement, however, artists expanded upon its principles to create more expressive styles. Artists used individual creativity, techniques, and style to represent their subject matter, as opposed to using techniques taught in academies to achieve realism. Post-Impressionist artists such as Paul Cezanne focused on creating a sense of structure and order in their work, while others like Vincent Van Gogh experimented with bold colors and expressive brushstrokes.

There are lots of overlaps between Impressionism and post-impressionism, with the emphasis on the painterly nature of the artworks and the use of bright colors. However, Post-Impressionism focussed more on the structure and composition of the artwork alongside incorporating symbology, rather than using fleeting, transitory moments as references. Impressionism focussed on capturing moments with light and color, whilst Post-Impressionists focussed on creating more expressive artworks.

Post-Impressionist artists also often drew inspiration from non-Western art, including African and Japanese art, as well as folk art. Post-Impressionism had a significant impact on later movements such as Fauvism, Cubism, and Expressionism.

Pointillism, also known as Divisionism, was a technique developed in the late 19th century by artists like Georges Seurat and Paul Signac. These artists used small dots or “points” of unmixed color to create the impression of a wider range of hues and tones.

Pointillist artists placed great emphasis on scientific theories about vision and the perception of color contrast. They believed that using dots of unmixed pigments would allow for greater luminosity and vibrant color in their artworks.

The Pointillist movement also had connections with Neo-Impressionism and the Japanese art of Ukiyo-e woodblock printing. Pointillist artists often painted landscapes and scenes from modern life, creating a sense of harmony and order in their compositions through the use of geometric elements like lines and shapes.

Notable works include Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte” and Signac’s “Signal at Grandcamp.” The technique was briefly popular but had declined by the early 20th century, with movements like Cubism becoming more influential. However, its impact can still be seen in art movements such as Abstract Expressionism.

Naïve art, sometimes referred to as Primitivism or outsider art, is an art style defined by simplicity. Some artists who painted in this art style had a lack of formal training in art techniques. This led to artists producing unique styles and interpretations of subject matter.

Well known artists from this movement include French painter Henri Rousseau and Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

French artist Paul Gauguin is well-known for his travels to Tahiti, where he painted scenes inspired by the culture and indigenous people. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also drew upon the pre-Columbian cultures of her home country in her work, often including elements of folk crafts and traditional dress in self-portraits. Frida Kahlo is also recognized as being a part of many other art styles and art movements that were happening at the time, such as Symbolism, Naturalism, Social Realism and Magical Realism.

Naïve art was closely related to the trend of “primitivism” in modernist literature, as well as movements such as Symbolism and Surrealism, which shared an interest in dreamlike or non-Western imagery.

However, this movement has also been criticized for its appropriation and misrepresentation of non-Western cultures by Western artists.

Tonalism was a style of painting developed in the late 19th century. It was characterised by an emphasis on subtle colour harmonies and soft atmospheric effects. It was often used to depict landscapes or scenes with a quiet, meditative mood.

American painter George Inness is considered the leading figure of Tonalism, often depicting scenes of nature with a hazy, dreamlike quality. American-born British painter James McNeill Whistler was also known for his tonalist works, such as his famous painting “Nocturne in Black and Gold: The Falling Rocket.”

Tonalism was related to the American “Hudson River School” movement, which focused on realistic depictions of nature, but Tonalist works were often more abstract and atmospheric. It also had connections to European movements such as Impressionism and Symbolism, with their emphasis on mood and atmosphere in art.

Symbolism was a late 19th-century art movement that emphasized the use of symbols and suggested meanings in art, rather than literal representations. It often explored dreamlike or fantastical subject matter and drew on influences from mysticism and Romanticism.

French artist Odilon Redon is known for his haunting charcoal drawings filled with surreal, dreamlike imagery. Austrian painter Gustav Klimt’s famous painting “The Kiss” also exemplifies Symbolist art, with its highly stylized, abstract figures and decorative elements.

Symbolism had a significant influence on later movements such as Surrealism, as well as on writers and poets such as W.B. Yeats and Rainer Maria Rilke.

Art Nouveau was an international modern movement that emerged in the late 19th century. This art style is distinguished by organic and flowing lines inspired by nature. It was often used in architecture, interior design, and decorative arts.

Czech artist Alphonse Mucha is well-known for his Art Nouveau posters and advertisements, featuring elegant figures with flowing hair and floral motifs. Austrian painter Gustav Klimt used the style in his paintings, incorporating gold leaf and abstract patterns inspired by organic forms. Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí used Art Nouveau in his unique and highly decorative buildings, such as the famous La Sagrada Família in Barcelona.

Expressionism was a modern movement that emphasized the artist’s inner emotions or response to the subject matter, rather than an accurate depiction. It often featured distorted or abstracted forms, bright colors, and exaggerated gestures.

Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh is well-known for his expressive brushstrokes and intense use of color in works such as “The Starry Night.” Norwegian painter Edvard Munch’s painting “The Scream” is a famous example of Expressionist art, depicting a figure with an exaggerated facial expression and distorted figure. Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky is known for his abstract works, which emphasised spiritual and emotional expression.

Expressionism evolved from Post-Impressionist movements that focused on psychological and expressive elements in art, as well as influences from Symbolism, Romanticism and Fauvism.

Fauvism was a brief but influential art movement in the early 20th century. Artworks that can be classified into this art movement can be recognized by their bold colors and expressive brushwork. This art style embraces expressive freedom in the use of color.

French artist Henri Matisse is considered the leading figure of Fauvism, with works such as “The Joy of Life” depicting figures and landscapes with vibrant blocks of color. Other notable Fauvist artists include French painters André Derain and Maurice de Vlaminck, known for their bold use of color in landscapes and figure paintings. There are lots of overlaps with Fauvism, Post-Impressionism and Cubism.

Fauvism had a significant influence on later movements such as Expressionism, as well as on artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque, who incorporated Fauvist ideas into the development of Cubism.

Abstract Expressionism was a post-World War II art movement in America, characterized by non-representational abstract paintings created with spontaneous and gestural brushwork.

American painter Jackson Pollock, known for his famous drip paintings, is considered the leading abstract artist of the Abstract Expressionism movement. Dutch-born American painter Willem de Kooning’s abstract works also exemplify the movement, with their bold and expressive lines and brushstrokes. American painter Mark Rothko is known for his large-scale, color-blocked abstract paintings, often with a meditative mood.

Abstract Expressionism had a major impact on later movements and continues to be influential today in contemporary art. It is also closely associated with the postwar New York School of Artists, which included other prominent Abstract Expressionists such as Arshile Gorky.

Art Deco was a popular design movement of the 1920s and 30s, with bold geometric shapes and luxurious materials.

Polish-born artist Tamara de Lempicka became well-known for her Art Deco portraits of glamorous figures, often rendered with sleek lines and metallic colors. French designer and illustrator Erté is famous for his elegant fashion designs in the Art Deco style. American artist Louis Comfort Tiffany was known for his stained glass lamps and windows in the Art Deco style, incorporating geometric shapes and rich colors.

Art Deco inspired visual artists, architects, and industrial designers. The Empire State Building in New York City and the Chrysler Building in Detroit are both famous examples of Art Deco buildings.

Cubism was a revolutionary art movement developed in the early 20th century, defined by its abstract, fragmented style that rejected traditional notions of perspective and representation.

The movement was pioneered by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso and French artist Georges Braque, who were later joined by artists such as Juan Gris in exploring Cubism’s distinct visual language.

Cubist works often depicted multiple viewpoints or facets of a subject at once, deconstructing traditional forms into geometric shapes. The movement also drew upon influences from African and Iberian sculpture, as well as the later developments of Analytical Cubism and Synthetic Cubism.

Emphasizing the speed, technology, and violence of modern times, Futurism was a short-lived but influential modern art movement that surfaced in Italy in the early 20th century,

Italian artist Umberto Boccioni was a leading figure in the movement, developing the concept of “dynamic form” to depict motion and change in his paintings and sculptures. Italian artist Fortunato Depero made a name for himself with his Futurist book covers and advertising designs. Composer Luigi Russolo also played a significant role in the movement, creating experimental musical instruments to evoke the sounds of modern life in his compositions.

Futurism had a major impact on other modern art movements, including Vorticism and Constructivism, as well as influencing Futurist architecture and literature. However, the movement’s glorification of war and technology would eventually lead to its decline, particularly after the devastation of World War I.

Modernism was a broad movement that encompasses many other movements and art styles within it. It took place in the early 20th century, rejecting traditional forms and structures in favour of experimentation and abstraction.

French artist Marcel Duchamp became notorious for his conceptually-based works, such as his infamous “Fountain” sculpture. Spanish artist Joan Miró combined abstract forms with Surrealist elements in his paintings and sculptures. Dutch artist Piet Mondrian explored geometric abstraction in his famous grid-like “Broadway Boogie Woogie” painting.

Modernism paved the way for various artistic movements, including Dadaism, Surrealism, and Abstract Expressionism.

Magical Realism is a style of art and literature that blends realistic depictions with elements of the fantastic or mythical. Mexican artist Frida Kahlo was a major figure in the movement, incorporating mythological elements and dreamlike imagery into her self-portraits. Mexican artist Remedios Varo also explored fantastical elements in her Surrealist paintings. British-born, Mexico-based artist Leonora Carrington often depicted magical creatures and surreal situations in her works.

The origins of Magical Realism can be traced back to the 1920s, with influences from Surrealism and German Expressionism. The movement gained wider recognition in the late 20th century, with contemporary artists adopting its techniques and themes as well.

Surrealism was a cultural movement that emerged in the 1920s, emphasizing the power of the unconscious mind and rejecting rational thinking.

Spanish artist Salvador Dalí became renowned for his dreamlike and bizarre paintings, such as “The Persistence of Memory.” Belgian artist René Magritte also gained fame for his thought-provoking surrealist works, including his painting “The Treachery of Images,” which featured a pipe with the caption “Ceci n’est pas une pipe” (This is not a pipe). Mexican artist Frida Kahlo also incorporated surreal elements into her self-portraits.

The Bauhaus was a German art school that combined crafts and the fine arts, with a focus on functional design. Founded by architect Walter Gropius in 1919, it became one of the most influential movements of its time.

Notable artists associated with the Bauhaus include Russian-born painter Wassily Kandinsky, known for his abstract works, and Swiss painter Paul Klee, known for his playful and inventive use of color and shape. The school’s emphasis on minimalist design had a major impact on architecture and graphic design, and can still be seen in contemporary aesthetics. The Bauhaus was shut down by the Nazi government in 1933, with many of its teachers and students scattered across Europe and the United States.

Social Realism is a style of art that depicts the everyday realities and social issues of a particular time and place.

Mexican artist Diego Rivera is well-known for his politically charged murals depicting Mexican history and labor movements, while American artists Grant Wood and Jacob Lawrence also explored Social Realist themes in their work, often addressing issues affecting working-class communities and African Americans.

Social Realism emerged as a response to the Great Depression and social tensions of the 20th century, with its depictions serving as a means to shed light on pressing political and social issues.

Classical Realism is a modern art movement that draws upon the techniques and principles of classical Greek and Roman art.

Influenced by the works of old masters such as Paul Rubens, Jacques-Louis David and Thomas Eakins, Classical Realists strive to depict the human figure realistically through careful observation and skillful draughtsmanship. The movement also emphasizes the use of traditional materials and techniques in creating artworks, as well as a focus on themes of heroism and virtue.

Notable Classical Realist artists include D. Jeffrey Mims and Abbey Ryan, who often portray the human figure in both historical and contemporary settings. The movement has influenced a range of modern realist painters, as well as figurative sculptors such as Carole A. Feuerman.

Minimalism was an art movement that came about in the 1960s; it moved away from Abstract Expressionism and other forms of exaggerated artistic expression. Minimalist artists sought to strip away nonessential elements, instead showcasing simplicity and repetition.

Famous Minimalist artists include Donald Judd, whose sculptures consist of simple geometric forms, Carl Andre, known for his arrangement of industrial materials on the floor as sculpture, and Dan Flavin, who used fluorescent light fixtures to create minimal installations. Minimalism continues to inspire various forms of contemporary art, notably in its emphasis on reductive forms and materials.

Pop Art emerged in the mid-20th century, artists began incorporating imagery from popular and commercial culture into artworks.

American artists Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein gained fame for their bold, colorful depictions of mass-produced products and advertisements, while Jasper Johns incorporated iconic American symbols into his paintings and sculptures. Pop Art reflected the growing influence of mass media and consumer culture in postwar society, often with a sense of irony or critique.

The movement had a major impact on later forms of contemporary art, such as Neo-Pop and Street Art, and continues to influence popular culture through its appropriation of everyday imagery.

Pop artists started using acrylic paints to create their paintings. Due to the fast-drying nature and high pigment load of acrylic paints, this enabled Pop Artists to create paintings with vivid, block colors, hard edges and distinct lines.

Contemporary art encompasses a wide range of artistic styles and movements that have emerged since the 1960s.

Influenced by rapidly changing technologies and global events, Contemporary artists often incorporate a range of materials and media in their works, challenging traditional notions of what it means to be an artist. Themes explored in Contemporary art include identity, consumer culture, politics, and the environment.

Notable Contemporary artists include Chinese activist Ai Weiwei, American artist Kara Walker known for her explorations of race and gender, and Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama known for her immersive installations and use of repetition. While Contemporary art is diverse in its styles and approaches, it continues to push the boundaries of artistic expression and engage with contemporary issues.

Using techniques such as airbrushing and precise draughtsmanship, Photorealist painters create hyper-realistic representations of everyday scenes and objects. The movement has roots in Realism and Classical Realism, as well as the technical innovations of photography and printing technology. As artists use photos as references, often emulating photographic techniques such as shallow focus, this genre emerged in the late 1960s, when film cameras produced more sophisticated images and had therefore become widespread.

Richard Estes is known for his paintings of urban landscapes, Robert Bechtle portrays American suburban scenes, and Audrey Flack paints still-life compositions of consumer products. The genre continues to intrigue viewers with its uncanny depictions of reality.

The Light and Space movement started in California in the 1960s, with artists exploring the sensory and perceptual effects of light, space, and materials.

Using materials such as glass, resin, and mirrors, Light and Space artists create immersive installations and sculptures that play with the viewer’s perception of space and the environment. Notable artists include James Turrell, known for his light installations in modified spaces such as observatories, Robert Irwin, who often incorporates natural elements into his work, and Larry Bell, who uses reflective materials to create illusions of space and depth. The Light and Space movement continues to influence contemporary installation art, with its focus on perceptual experience.

Street Art took off in the late 20th century, created on and around urban structures such as walls, buildings, and streets. Often using nontraditional materials such as spray paint and stencils, Street Artists create works that engage with political and social issues, often with an element of rebellion against the establishment. The art style of street art is characterised by bold colours and simple renderings of figures and shapes.

Banksy is one of the most famous street artists, known for his thought-provoking and often controversial works addressing issues such as consumerism and war. Other noteworthy artists include Keith Haring, whose vibrant graffiti-inspired figures address HIV/AIDS, and Shepard Fairey, who is known for his signature “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” street posters and Barack Obama “Hope” campaign poster. Street Art continues to thrive as a means of artistic expression and activism in cities around the world.

Digital art refers to artwork created through digital technology, including computer graphics, digital manipulation of images, and 3D animation.

The genre came about in the late 20th century with the development of computer technology and has continued to evolve as new technologies emerge.