Introduction
The art of Europe is a rich and complex tradition that has evolved over millennia. It has been shaped by many different cultures, including ancient Greece and Rome. In fact, it’s impossible to understand European culture without understanding its artistic history. So if you’re planning a trip to Europe soon, make sure you take some time away from sightseeing monuments and museums to visit its famous galleries and museums as well!
The Continent’s Artistic Tradition
European art is a rich and diverse tradition that has had a huge impact on the world. The history of European art dates back thousands of years, with some of its most important periods being Ancient Greece, Medieval Europe and Renaissance Italy. Though there are many different styles within this tradition (such as Baroque or Impressionism), all European artists share certain characteristics: they often created large-scale paintings or sculptures depicting scenes from everyday life; they favored realism over idealism in their work; they used materials such as marble or bronze when creating statues; they emphasized personal expression over technical skill when drawing portraits; etc…
European artists have had so much influence on our culture because they were able to combine innovation with tradition–a combination which led them down new paths while still maintaining respect for past achievements!
The Influence of Ancient Greece and Rome
The influence of ancient Greece and Rome on European culture is undeniable. From the architecture, art and literature that shaped Western civilization to the political system that still holds sway today, these ancient empires have left their mark on everything we do.
But how did this come to be? Let’s take a look at how these two cultures influenced each other:
- The Greeks were an early society that lived in what is now known as Greece (and parts of Turkey). They had many important philosophical thinkers such as Socrates, Plato and Aristotle who greatly influenced western thought and science with ideas like democracy or logic; however they also developed technology such as steam engines which use heat energy to power machines!
- The Romans conquered most of Europe between 500 BCE – 400 CE; however after their fall most people forgot about them until Columbus sailed west looking for India but instead found America instead because he was using outdated maps from Greek sailors who didn’t know any better either!
The Renaissance and the Enlightenment
The Renaissance was a period of cultural rebirth, and it’s no coincidence that the word “renaissance” means “rebirth.” Artists in this era were inspired by classical Greek and Roman art, which they studied for themselves in Italy. They also used perspective in their paintings for the first time–something that hadn’t been done before.
The Enlightenment took place during the 18th century, when philosophers like Voltaire believed that reason could solve all problems (and maybe even end war).
The Romantic Period
The Romantic Period was a reaction to the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution. The Romantics wanted to return to nature, rejecting rationalism in favor of emotion. They were inspired by the Middle Ages, which they saw as an era of spirituality and simplicity.
Romanticism was a reaction against industrialization and its dehumanizing effects on society. It emphasized individualism over social order, self-expression over conformity, imagination over reason; these values were reflected in artworks such as paintings by Caspar David Friedrich or poems by William Wordsworth that emphasize nature’s beauty over urban settings
Impressionism, Cubism and Surrealism
The Impressionist movement was a French art movement that began in the mid-19th century. Artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir are considered part of this group, because they painted with light and color as their main focus. They were interested in capturing everyday life, which is why many of their paintings look like photographs–they wanted people to see what they saw when they looked out at their world.
The Cubist movement started around 1907 when Pablo Picasso (Spain) and Georges Braque (France) began experimenting with abstract shapes on canvas rather than realistic representations of objects or figures from nature like most artists did at the time. Instead of depicting things realistically as they appeared from one angle at a time (see figure 1), cubists wanted viewers’ eyes to move around multiple perspectives simultaneously through geometric shapes such as triangles or squares within each other (see figure 2).
Contemporary Art in Europe
Contemporary art is the art of today. It includes all types of visual art that were created in the past 100 years, ranging from traditional painting and sculpture to film and video. Contemporary artists are known for their use of new media and materials, as well as their experimentation with established styles and genres.
The term “contemporary” can be confusing because it’s used in so many ways: for example, you may hear someone say they love contemporary jazz music or that they’re reading a contemporary novel by an author like Haruki Murakami (who was born in 1949). In this sense, contemporary means something that’s happening right now–but when we talk about art being “contemporary,” we mean something quite specific: works created since World War II! This category includes everything from abstract expressionism through pop art to conceptualism–and even non-artistic mediums like photography and performance pieces can fall under this umbrella term if they were created during this time period (1940s-present day).
When visiting Europe, you must visit its museums to truly understand the culture.
When visiting Europe, you must visit its museums to truly understand the culture. Museums are free and open all day, allowing you to spend as much time learning about different aspects of European history as you want. They’re also located in every major city center, so they won’t be too far out of your way during your travels. There are usually food options available inside each museum (or just outside), so don’t forget your wallet!
Conclusion
Europe has had a rich artistic tradition that has influenced the world for centuries. From ancient Greece and Rome, to the Renaissance and Enlightenment, Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism and contemporary art; Europe continues to be a source of inspiration for artists from all over the globe. If you are planning on visiting Europe then make sure that you take time out from sightseeing and explore some of these museums because they will give you an insight into what makes this continent so special!
