1860 – present

The modern age of art includes works produced during the period from the 1860s to current times. Artworks become more abstract and conceptualised. Contemporary artists explore new ways of seeing and replicating nature and question the function of art.

From Stone Tools to Artistic Expression: Tracing the Origins of Art

300,000 BC – 5,000 BC

We explore the emergence of humanity as artists and the origins of art. The earliest phase of artistic production was crude yet fascinating works showing that humans took a significant step from creating objects for simple utility to that of interest, enjoyment and reverence. We trace early humanity’s emergence as artists through implements like stone axes, cave paintings and Venus figurines.

5,000 BC – 1 AD

Around 5,000 years ago, humanity arrived at writing and record-keeping systems. The earliest writings were pictographs. Great cultures thrived in Egypt, Mesopotamia and on the islands in the Aegean Sea. We explore the impact on the calibre of the art produced by analysing the influence of the cultures and religions of the Greeks, Egyptians and the Roman Empire.

1 – 1400 AD

Europe, the Middle East and North Africa at this time were dominated by Western world medieval art. During the Middle Ages, communities centred on either the Christian or Islamic religions, so those religions had an outsized impact on the art and architecture of the time. We present and examine the creative achievements in Early Christian, Byzantine, Islamic and Gothic art.

1400 – 1600 AD

The Renaissance was an era of revolution in literature, philosophy, art, music, politics, science and religion. The visual arts contributed the “Renaissance man”, best exemplified by Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo, bringing forth developments in the representation of linear and spatial perspective, human form, style and light. During this time, the invention of oil paints on canvas provided both proper conservation and better colour and shading possibilities. We examine all this and how artists thrived during the Renaissance under the concepts of patronage and commissions.

1600 – 1900s

We explore the influences that inspired art from the Renaissance period to the modern world. From the 1600s to the early 1900s, artistic styles and movements were characterised by significant innovations in mediums and techniques. Individual artists and schools of thought led the way in the monumental shifts in sculpture, painting, architecture design and production. The Baroque period follows the Renaissance, characterised by grand and colourful designs overloaded with ornate elements. Then, the Rococo, flamboyant and asymmetrical exuberance, comes to the fore for the rich and aristocracy. With the discovery of the ruins of Herculaneum and Pompei, a renewed interest in classical themes and ideals from ancient Rome and Greece led to Neoclassicism. Impressionism unfolded in 1872 as an innovation and reaction to established rigidity as French artists broke away from tradition and painted outside – En Plein Air. Post-Impressionism further pushes away from the past with bold scenes of modern life, fragmented styles and new techniques. Cubism departs from previous art movements fully. It tears subjects apart and puts them back together in an abstract form. Championed by Pablo Picasso, this new monumental approach thrusts the art world into the 20th century.