"We have art so that we may not perish by the truth." -Friedrich Nietzsche
Art is what defines a civilization; it reflects and shapes society as a whole. It provides a window into history, showing the audience what was occurring at any given time from different perspectives. Art can be utilized as propaganda or to spark a revolution, to support or reject certain ideals. Rarely is art purely to entertain, there is almost always underlying themes and deeper, biased meanings and perspectives. Art is a tangible medium for personal expression, and therefore is unique and vital when studying civilizations' cultures.
European art in particular is important because of how influential western civilization has been on the world. Every continent has been explored and colonized at some point by Europeans. From the Renaissance to modern day society, western civilization has had an impact. Through analyzing European art, knowledge can be gained about the causes and factors to certain events. Without art, there would be no visual representations of the past.
By looking into various art styles, one can see how art developed and evolved in response to societal changes. Starting with the Renaissance, the rebirth of classical antiquity, and ending with postmodernism, a skeptical reaction to rationality, this website will guide you through the complex world of western art.
Enjoy!
Art is what defines a civilization; it reflects and shapes society as a whole. It provides a window into history, showing the audience what was occurring at any given time from different perspectives. Art can be utilized as propaganda or to spark a revolution, to support or reject certain ideals. Rarely is art purely to entertain, there is almost always underlying themes and deeper, biased meanings and perspectives. Art is a tangible medium for personal expression, and therefore is unique and vital when studying civilizations' cultures.
European art in particular is important because of how influential western civilization has been on the world. Every continent has been explored and colonized at some point by Europeans. From the Renaissance to modern day society, western civilization has had an impact. Through analyzing European art, knowledge can be gained about the causes and factors to certain events. Without art, there would be no visual representations of the past.
By looking into various art styles, one can see how art developed and evolved in response to societal changes. Starting with the Renaissance, the rebirth of classical antiquity, and ending with postmodernism, a skeptical reaction to rationality, this website will guide you through the complex world of western art.
Enjoy!