Art entwines all aspects of our daily lives, but what gives rise to it? What social, cultural, and historical contexts have and continue to shape art and its meaning and expression over time? This section chronologically surveys the development of art from the dawn of civilization up to the present day. Come explore the history and evolution of art around the globe and expand your understanding of what art means—and how it connects the world.
The first known works of art from the Paleolithic era (c. 40,000–9,000 BCE) appear in the form of miniature figurines, both human and animal, and cave paintings of daily and spiritual activities, spanning territories across the globe.
This era saw a rapid rise in intercultural exchange through territorial expansion as well as the sophisticated development of land and sea trade networks across the globe. The Silk Road, the most famous of these, connected the easternmost parts of China through Central Asia to reach Europe.
The Early Modern period is characterized by globalization and shifting socioeconomics, as feudal societies transitioned to more capitalistic exchanges. Cultural renewal occurred in various parts of the world, including the Renaissance in Europe, a period characterized by an interest in classical philosophies, arts, and other humanistic pursuits.
The twin forces of capitalism and European imperialism left an indelible mark on the world. As globalization increased during the modern era, post-Industrial Revolution Europe capitalized upon the resources, human labor, and lands of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1922 and the decline of the British Empire in the first half of the twentieth century, a wave of independence movements granted autonomy to nations across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.