Western Art Course

Saint Francis: The First Figure of the Renaissance We officially step into the exciting Renaissance era. When you think of the Renaissance, many famous paintings might come to mind, such as Mona Lisa or The School of Athens, along with renowned names like Leonardo da…

We often associate Gothic style with horror, the supernatural, and decadence, but this is actually a major misconception. Gothic style originated in architecture and can be considered an early precursor to the Renaissance in Northern Europe, long before Italy’s Renaissance. In art history, it stands…

Today, we’ll continue our discussion on medieval painting art. In the last episode, we touched on the characteristic of medieval art—formalism. In modern society, art and innovation are inseparable, but in the medieval period, people generally believed that traditional ways were tried and true, so…

Since Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, religious activities transitioned from secretive worship to prominent ceremonies that required large buildings for rituals. This led to the creation of the basilica, the standard model for churches. Decorating these basilicas became a major challenge,…

After understanding the history of Christianity, we officially enter the era of Western art in the Middle Ages. Today, let's talk about the earliest notated music in Western history—the Gregorian Chant. Gregorian Chant The Gregorian Chant is the earliest notated music in the West. While…

The Material Repository of Ancient Western Art After the onset of Christian rule, the focus shifted from ancient Greek and Roman mythology to the Christian theological system. By the medieval period, art developed a new style distinct from previous forms. Medieval Architecture: The Basilica that…

Different Christian denominations uphold distinct doctrines, which results in vastly different artistic styles. In this lesson, we’ll explore the differences in artistic forms across the three major Christian denominations. Differences in Artistic Understanding Among the Three Major Christian Denominations Although Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and Protestantism are…

In Western churches, some are lavishly decorated with gilded carvings, while others are simple, with little more than a cross inside. Today, let’s explore the reasons behind this. The Religious Reformation and Its Influence on Art The architectural style of Western churches varies greatly depending…

To truly understand the next 1,500 years of Western art history, one must have a solid and in-depth knowledge of Christianity as a foundation. When people generally refer to "Western art," they often mean highly recognizable artworks like the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo's David. However,…

Before we discussed the art of ancient Greece and Rome, we first explored the systems of religious mythology. Similarly, before understanding medieval art, it’s essential to comprehend medieval religion—Christianity. A deep and solid knowledge of Christianity aids in understanding the next 1,500 years of Western…

Today, we will talk about the art of ancient Rome. In 146 BC, ancient Greece was conquered by the Roman Empire, marking the official beginning of the historically significant period of ancient Rome. Art of Ancient Rome: Serving Politics Ancient Rome is a relatively broad…

Generally, people believe that after the end of ancient Greece, the next period was ancient Rome. However, there is actually a very important period in between known as the Hellenistic period. Art of the Hellenistic Period In 336 BC, Alexander the Great conquered Athens, establishing…