THE WESTERN

ART HISTORY
LESSON 3
 objectives
At the end of this chapter, the students should be
able to:
explain the difference between aesthetic
arts and crafts;

identify the types of arts and crafts;

discuss the principles in understanding

artistic composition; and

enumerate the motivated functions of art.

The history of art also covers the
entire history of humankind since
prehistoric times. Art is a product of
man’s emotional and intellectual
connection with the world. It also
aimed to produce a message which
will either provoke an unexplainable
consciousness within the hearts of its
viewers or incite wisdom among
inquisitive minds.
 Leroi-Gourhan (1967) lists three
primary domains of the expression of
feeling associated to the first periods
of humanity that may add to our
understanding of the beginnings of art
such as Psycho-physiological
impressions; Magic-religious; and
techno-economic.
Art in Prehistoric Civilization
• Prehistoric period:
Time before written
history (before 3000
B.C.E. in
Mesopotamia).
• Early art includes
paintings, sculptures,
and architecture.
• Oldest decorative art
from Africa (100,000
B.C.E.).
Characteristics of Prehistoric Art
• Small sculptures and
cave paintings.
• Art used for
communication and
religious adoration.
• Reflects cultural and
spiritual beliefs.
• Spread across Africa,
Asia, Australia, America,
and Europe.
European Prehistoric Art
• El Castillo Cave
(Spain) –
Discovered in
1903, dating back
40,800 years.
• Possible Homo
neanderthalensis
creation.
• Hand stencils, club
shapes, and disks.
Other Famous Cave Sites
• France:
⚬ Chauvet Cave
(39,000 years old)
⚬ Lascaux
⚬ Grotte de Cussac
⚬ Pech Merle
⚬ Cave of Niaux
⚬ Font-de-Gaume
Chauvet Cave (39,000 years old)
Lascaux
Grotte de Cussac
Pech Merle
Cave of Niaux
Font-de-Gaume
Importance of Prehistoric Art
• Expression of
social and
spiritual beliefs.
• Symbolic system
integral to
culture.
• Early human
creativity and
survival
representation.
Stone Tools for Art Making
Stones are classified based on
mineral composition:
• Sedimentary – Formed by
deposition and compression.
• Metamorphic – Formed
through extreme heat and
pressure.
• Volcanic – Formed from
molten magma.
• Early humans relied on stone
tools for survival and cultural
development.
Importance of Stone Tools
• Foundation of human culture and progress.
• Early tools were made from stone, wood, bone,
ivory, and antler.
• Oldest tools (eoliths) date back about 2 million
years.
• First known tool: stone chopper, found in Olduvai
Gorge, Tanzania.
stone chopper, found in Olduvai Gorge,
Tanzania.
Types of Stone Tools
[Link] Tools (Pebble Chopper):
• Oldest known cutting device.
• Made by striking a stone to create a serrated
edge.
• Used for chopping and cutting
1. Bifacial Tools:
• Hand axes with two worked sides (oval,
triangular, almond shapes).
• Used as knives, scrapers, or weapons.
• Associated with the Acheulian culture.
Types of Stone Tools
Types of Stone Tools
3. Flake Tools:
• Created by chipping off fragments.
• Sharp when new but required constant
reshaping (retouching).
• Used for various cutting tasks.
4. Blade Tools:
• Made by striking long, narrow flakes from stone
cores.
• Process known as lithic reduction.
• Blades were used to create larger tools like
Types of Stone Tools
Medieval Arts in Europe
• Medieval art spanned over 1000
years in Western Europe.
• Influenced by:
⚬ Roman Empire artistic culture.
⚬ Early Christian Church
iconography.
⚬ Barbarian art from Northern
Europe.
• Key mediums: Ceramics, frescoes,
mosaics, stained glass,
metalwork, tapestries, and
heraldry.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
a. Illuminated Manuscripts
• Colorful religious texts adorned with gold and
silver.
• Derived from Latin “illuminate” (to
adorn/enlighten).
• Created by skilled artists known as Illuminators.

b. Metalwork
• Used for religious objects, jewelry, sculptures,
and church doors.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
Key Forms of Medieval Art
c. Silversmithing & Goldsmithing
• Produced intricate religious artifacts and jewelry.
• Employed by churches to create elaborate
works.
d. Painting
• Frescoes: Wall and ceiling religious paintings.
• Panel paintings: Wooden icons, often in
Byzantine style.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
Key Forms of Medieval Art
e. Bayeux Tapestry
• Embroidery on unbleached linen.
• 230 feet long and 20 inches high.
• Depicts historical events with colored wool
threads.
f. Ceramics
• Hand-shaped pots, jars, and pitchers used in
daily life.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
Key Forms of Medieval Art
g. Stained Glass
• Used in churches, castles, and cathedrals.
• Small colored glass pieces arranged into patterns,
held by lead strips and frames.
h. Heraldry
• Designing coats of arms and insignia.
• Created using embroidery, wood, stonework, and
stained glass.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
Key Forms of Medieval Art
i. Church Mosaics
• Monumental wall and ceiling decorations.
• Early Christians used mosaics to adorn
cathedrals.
Key Forms of Medieval Art
Famous Artists in Medieval
Western Europe
• The transition from Byzantine to Gothic art
marked artistic advancements.
• Medieval artists paved the way for the
Renaissance through greater realism.
• Notable artists: Donatello, Giotto, Alberti,
Cimabue, Brunelleschi, Fra Angelico,
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Donatello (1386–1466)
• Italian sculptor, known for his
work in metallurgy and shallow
relief technique (schiacciato).
• Famous Works:
• David, Mary Magdalene, St.
Mark, St. George and the
Dragon.
• Pioneered the early Renaissance
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Giotto di Bondone (1266–1337)
• Florentine painter known for his fresco
cycles with religious themes.
• Key Contributions:
⚬ Painted frescoes in the Cathedral of
San Francesco in Assisi.
⚬ Created a mosaic for St. Peter’s
Basilica in Rome.
• Considered a pioneer of realistic
human expression in art.
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe

frescoes in the Cathedral of San Francesco in

Assisi.
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Leon Battista Alberti (1404–1472)
• Italian architect and theorist,
influential in Renaissance
architecture.
• Notable Works:
⚬ Renovation of the Papal Palace.
⚬ Roman bridge of Acqua Vergine.
• Contributed to architectural principles
that shaped Renaissance structures.
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe

St. Andrea, Mantova. Iterior. Architect Leon Battista

Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Giovanni Cimabue (1240–1302)
• Early Italian painter and mosaic
artist, mentor to Giotto.
• Key Achievements:
⚬ Frescoes of the New Testament
in St. Francis of Assisi Church.
⚬ Developed a transition from
Byzantine to more naturalistic
styles.
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe

Fresco in the Lower Basilica of

Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Filippo Brunelleschi (1377–1446)
• Renowned for his contributions to
architecture and engineering.
• Famous For:
⚬ Designing the Dome of Florence
Cathedral.
⚬ Expertise in sculpture and
goldsmithing.
• Revolutionized architectural
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe

The Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral in Florence possesses the largest
brick dome in the world, and is considered a masterpiece of European
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe
Fra Angelico (1395–1455)
• Known as "Blessed Angelic One,"
famous for religious paintings.
• Iconic Works:
⚬ The Annunciation, The Madonna
and Saints, Transfiguration of
Christ.
• His work reflected spirituality and
devotion.
Famous Artists in Medieval Western
Europe

Posthumous portrait from The Preaching of the Antichrist by Luca

Signorelli (c. 1501) in Orvieto Cathedral, Italy
Most Common Paintings in Classical
Greek Art
• Greek classical paintings were
found on panels, tombs, and
vases.
• Themes: battle scenes,
mythology, daily life.
• Techniques: linear perspective
and naturalistic illustration.
Most Common Paintings in Classical
Greek Art
• Greek classical paintings were
found on panels, tombs, and
vases.
• Themes: battle scenes,
mythology, daily life.
• Techniques: linear perspective
and naturalistic illustration.
 Most Common Paintings
Kerch Vase Painting
Definition: Red-figured pottery named after its discovery
site in Kerch.
• Common Motifs:
⚬ Women’s daily life
⚬ Mythological events and figures
Technique: Polychromy (combination of brilliant colors).
Common Shapes:
• Krater – Bowl for mixing wine and water.
• Lebesgamikos – Bridal bath container with high
handles.
• Lekanis – Low bowl with horizontal handles.
Most Common Paintings
Most Common Paintings
Panel Painting
• Purpose: Used for religious altarpieces and
decorative art.
• Medium: Painted on wood or metal panels.
• Notable Example: Pitsa Panel (540-530 B.C.E.),
earliest surviving panel painting.
• Panels were often arranged into larger
compositions.
Most Common Paintings
Most Common Paintings
Tomb/Wall Painting
• Function: Decoration for tombs and public walls.
• Techniques:
⚬ Tempera – Water-based painting using ground
pigments.
⚬ Encaustic – Wax-based technique for durability.
• Process: Colors mixed with water, applied on wet
plaster, and dried for longevity
Most Common Paintings
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