Changes

[[Painter]]s have the [[freedom]] to invent their own visual language and to experiment with light and new forms, materials and techniques. In some cases, the distinction between painting and other forms of art may be blurred; for example, some artists have covered natural landscape areas such as parks or island beaches with fabric (see [[Christo Vladimirov Javacheff|Christo]]).

[[Painter]]s have the [[freedom]] to invent their own visual language and to experiment with light and new forms, materials and techniques. In some cases, the distinction between painting and other forms of art may be blurred; for example, some artists have covered natural landscape areas such as parks or island beaches with fabric (see [[Christo Vladimirov Javacheff|Christo]]).

[[Image:Recamier David g.jpg|thumb|300px|Madame Récamier painted in 1800 by [[Jacques Louis David]].]]

[[Image:Recamier David g.jpg|thumb|300px|Madame Récamier painted in 1800 by [[Jacques Louis David]].]]

 

 

 

==History==

==History==

See also: [[Prehistoric art]]

{{See also|Prehistoric art}}

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We know from textual and archaeological sources that painting was practiced in China from very early times and in a variety of media. Wall paintings were produced in great numbers in the early period of China's history. <ref> [http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/painting/4ptgintr.htm Chinese Painting] </ref>

We know from textual and archaeological sources that painting was practiced in China from very early times and in a variety of media. Wall paintings were produced in great numbers in the early period of China's history.<ref>[http://depts.washington.edu/chinaciv/painting/4ptgintr.htm Chinese Painting]</ref>

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[[Image:Chinise painting.jpg|thumb|left|Chinese painting]]

[[Image:Chinise painting.jpg|thumb|left|Chinese painting]]

From the fourth century onwards the early civilizations of the Mediterranean region and Europe began to produce paintings of sufficiently consistent artistic style that art [[history|historians]] and [[archaeology|archaeologists]] are able to distinguish which works belonged to which cultures. Egyptian artwork is highly detailed, their figures are still and appear rigid. [[File:Hagia Sophia Christ mosaic XII c.jpg|thumb|left|Hagia Sophia, Christ mosaic, XII c.]]

From the fourth century onwards the early civilizations of the Mediterranean region and Europe began to produce paintings of sufficiently consistent artistic style that art [[history|historians]] and [[archaeology|archaeologists]] are able to distinguish which works belonged to which cultures. Egyptian artwork is highly detailed, their figures are still and appear rigid. [[File:Hagia Sophia Christ mosaic XII c.jpg|thumb|left|Hagia Sophia, Christ mosaic, XII c.]]

[[Minoa|Minoan]] art [2800 B.C. onwards], on the other hand, is extraordinary for its sense of movement and its emphasis on the living world.'' <ref> ''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref>  

[[Minoa]]n art [2800 B.C. onwards], on the other hand, is extraordinary for its sense of movement and its emphasis on the living world.'' <ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref>  

Few examples of [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] painting (c. 600-100 B.C.) have survived, originally painted on wood which has rotted away or buildings which have been destroyed. Its style was very influential however on the Roman style of paintings, which spread throughout the [[Roman Empire]] into the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and Europe.

Few examples of [[Ancient Greece|Greek]] painting (c. 600-100 B.C.) have survived, originally painted on wood which has rotted away or buildings which have been destroyed. Its style was very influential however on the Roman style of paintings, which spread throughout the [[Roman Empire]] into the [[Middle East]], [[North Africa]] and Europe.

[[Christianity]] brought further change to the Roman style, particularly as the "illustration of the Gospels was... necessary in order to spread the beliefs to the new converts, most of whom were illiterate. After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe's greatest inheritance was the Roman-Christian tradition, which was heavily infused with classical ideas and Christian artistic styles. Despite some scholarly belief that the [[Middle Ages]] was a period of artistic decline, the existence of beautiful painted manuscripts and glowing altars from that period ([[Middle Ages Painting]]) suggests otherwise."<ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref> Renaissance artists broke decisively from their medieval predecessors by looking to nature as their guide in the art of painting. <ref> [http://www.answers.com/topic/painting Painting] History 1450-1789. </ref>

[[Christianity]] brought further change to the Roman style, particularly as the "illustration of the Gospels was... necessary in order to spread the beliefs to the new converts, most of whom were illiterate. After the Roman Empire collapsed, Europe's greatest inheritance was the Roman-Christian tradition, which was heavily infused with classical ideas and Christian artistic styles. Despite some scholarly belief that the [[Middle Ages]] was a period of artistic decline, the existence of beautiful painted manuscripts and glowing altars from that period ([[Middle Ages Painting]]) suggests otherwise."<ref>''Painting before 1300.'' op cit.</ref> Renaissance artists broke decisively from their medieval predecessors by looking to nature as their guide in the art of painting.<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/painting Painting] History 1450-1789.</ref>

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Painting has had a long and glorious world history as an independent art. From [[Giotto]] to [[Picasso]] and from Ma Yüan to Hokusai, painting has never ceased to produce great exponents... <ref> [http://www.answers.com/topic/painting Painting] Columbia Encyclopedia. </ref>

Painting has had a long and glorious world history as an independent art. From [[Giotto]] to [[Picasso]] and from Ma Yüan to Hokusai, painting has never ceased to produce great exponents...<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/painting Painting] Columbia Encyclopedia.</ref>

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