Examples of Art History
Art history is a multidisciplinary field that studies a wide range of materials , including painting, sculpture, and architecture. Art historians often use similar analytical techniques to evaluate and describe the visual qualities of these works. In addition to visual material, art historians also pay attention to how an artwork relates to the periods and cultures in which it was produced. Style is a key aspect of this analysis, and it helps explain period divisions and labels. The earliest examples of art in the archaeological record date back to the Paleolithic period, also known as the Stone Age. Early forms of art include small sculptures, paintings, and engravings on cave walls. A few examples of prehistoric art can be seen in UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites such as the Chauvet Cave, situated in Ardèche, France. Several of these caves display breathtaking figurative paintings and carvings that were created thousands of years ago, before the invention of writing. Other examp...