Timeline of art history

The timeline of art history traces how artistic styles and ideas evolved across different periods. It begins with Prehistoric art, like cave paintings, then moves through Ancient civilizations (Egyptian, Greek, Roman), which emphasized realism and symbolism. The Middle Ages focused on religious themes with illuminated manuscripts and Gothic architecture. The Renaissance revived classical learning, emphasizing perspective and humanism. The Baroque and Rococo periods brought drama and ornamentation, while Neoclassicism looked back to antiquity. The 19th and 20th centuries introduced diverse movements like Impressionism, Modernism, and Abstract art, reflecting changing societal values and technological advances in artistic expression.