Style(Greek stilos - rod, writing stick) - an established form of artistic self-determination of an era, region, nation, social or creative group or individual. The birth of the largest, so-called “historical artistic styles” is determined by the internal logic of development artistic thinking a person, certain ways of seeing the world, awareness of the properties of space and time in which a person lives and acts. Styles in art do not have clear boundaries; they transform into one another and are in continuous development.

Romanesque style (X-XIII centuries). The word "Roman" comes from the Latin romanus - Roman. Romanesque buildings symbolized not only political and cultural continuity from Ancient Rome, but also testified to the unlimited power of the new rulers of Europe and the omnipotence of the Christian God. The Romanesque style in architecture is characterized by the use of vaulted and arched structures, massive walls, narrow windows, and towers of various silhouettes in buildings. The style is characterized by simplicity, expediency, and rigor. Temples, monastery complexes, and knightly castles were built in the Romanesque style.

Gothic style (XII-XVI centuries). The word "Gothic" comes from the name of the German tribe of Goths. After the Romanesque style, Gothic became the second canon of the Middle Ages and the first pan-European artistic style in history. The basis of the style is architecture. The technological need to lighten the vault gave rise to a new design.

High pointed arches, ribbed vaults and a frame support system made it possible to cover gigantic spaces, increase the height of the building and relieve the walls of the load without fear of them collapsing. The walls were cut through with huge windows and stained glass windows, creating a special play of color and light. The vertical becomes the main compositional dominant. All these techniques made it possible to create artistic image, reflecting irrational, mystical aspiration human soul to the sky. The most famous Gothic cathedral is the cathedral Notre Dame of Paris in France.

Baroque (end of the 16th - mid-18th centuries). The Baroque era is associated with the rise of absolutism, as well as with the development of theater and opera. It originated in Italy, then spread to other European countries after the Renaissance. The very word "Baroque" - of Portuguese origin and means "pearl" irregular shape" Baroque art is characterized by grandeur, splendor, a passion for spectacular effects, a combination of the fantastic and the real, contrasts of scale and rhythm, materials and texture. The main means of expressiveness of Baroque art is the play of light and shadow. Baroque is characterized by pictorial illusoryness, that is, the desire to deceive the eye, to escape from the space of the depicted into the real space.

Classicism (XVII - early XIX century). The word "classicism" comes from the Latin classicus - first-class, exemplary. IN Western Europe classicism dominated art in the 17th-18th centuries, in Russia - in the second half of the 18th - 19th centuries. This art style represents the highest manifestation of the ideas of compositional integrity, completeness, and balance. Expresses the desire for simplicity, clarity, rationality, and consistency of the artistic image. This ideal manifested itself most clearly in the era of ancient classics.

Therefore, in most cases, the predominance of classical thinking means an orientation towards the forms of ancient art. As a method of thinking, classicism is normative and systematic. It is no coincidence that in classicism there is a system of rules and a complete theory of artistic creativity. Classicism puts forward such aesthetic norms as resistance to the cruelty of fate and the vicissitudes of existence, the subordination of the personal to the general, passions to duty, reason, and the highest interests of society. In the literature of classicism, there was a strict hierarchy of genres: “high” (tragedy, epic, ode, historical, mythological, religious paintings) and “low” (comedy, satire, fable, genre painting).

The late stage of classicism is the Empire style.

Rococo (first half of the 18th century). The word "rococo" comes from the French "rocaille", which means "asymmetrical", "decorated with ornate curls." It became widespread in France under Louis XV. Rococo, associated with the crisis of absolutism, is characterized by a departure from life into the world of fantasy, theatrical play, pastoral plots, and erotic situations. Rococo dominated interior decoration, sculpture, painting and decorative arts.

Direction- social, artistic movement; the worldview of rapidly changing times, revealed in art.

Romanticism (late 18th - early 19th centuries). Romanticism reflected disappointment in the ideas of the Great French Revolution and the worldview of the Enlightenment. The basis of the romantic worldview is the painful discord between the ideal and social reality. A drastic change in routine Everyday life as a result of industrialization, many people turned to the world of feelings and emotional experiences. Lyricism flourished in European literature during this period; poems and novels in verse became the main genre.

Romanticism is characterized by the opposition of two worlds: the real and the imaginary. Seeing a world of vices in contemporary reality, romanticism tries to find a way out for man. This exit is at the same time a departure from society in different ways. Option one - romantic hero goes into his own inner world, a world of passions and experiences, a world of fiction and dreams. Option two is escaping to exotic countries. Another area of ​​care could be care at other times. Romanticism begins to idealize the past, especially the Middle Ages, seeing in it a different reality, a culture whose values ​​are not comparable to the utilitarianism of modern society.

Realism (emerged during the Renaissance, became an independent movement in the 19th-20th centuries). A term in the broadest sense of the word denoting the desire for a more complete, deep and comprehensive reflection of reality in all its manifestations. The tendency towards realistic thinking manifests itself in different forms in various types art, artistic directions and styles. The development of realism could most fully express the contradictions of social development.

The leading principles of realism: an objective reflection of life combined with the author's ideal; reproduction of typical characters, conflicts, situations with their artistic individualization; predominant interest in the problem of “personality and society”. Realism led to the rise of such literary genre, as a socio-historical novel. Literature, in turn, influenced realistic painting. Gustave Courbet(1819-1877) was the first to use the term “realism” in relation to his paintings, which means depiction of reality. Courbet depicted people at work, and not in joy and contentment, as was often shown before.

Naturalism (last third XIX V.). The word "naturalism" comes from the Latin natura - nature. A movement in literature and art that strived for an objectively accurate and dispassionate reproduction of observed reality. The theorist and head of naturalism was Emile Zola. Representatives of naturalism proceeded from the position that a person’s fate is completely predetermined by the social environment, everyday life, heredity, and physiology.

Historicism, or eclecticism (trend in architecture, 1820-1920). A combination of dissimilar stylistic elements or an arbitrary choice of stylistic design for buildings that have a qualitatively different meaning and purpose. When constructing various structures, architects in most cases resorted to copying the styles of the past. These different building styles are united by the common name "historicism". The use of historical styles in architecture showed pride in the technical achievements of the 19th century.

Symbolism. In a broad sense, symbolism is an integral property of art, since artistic creativity is symbolic in nature. This is a tendency of artistic thinking, which in different eras found its expression in religious art, in romanticism, and during the Art Nouveau period. Symbolism is an essential property of art, designed to establish a connection between the visible and concrete with the area of ​​ideal ideas.

As a movement in European and Russian art at the turn of the 19th-20th centuries, symbolism is imbued with mysticism, mystery, and the desire to comprehend the highest values ​​with the help of symbols, allegories, and generalizations. To express the inexpressible is the task of symbolism. Symbolism is a two-world: the world of everyday reality and the transcendental world, that is, the world beyond sensory perception. Symbolists believed that art has a special, magical power that can renew the life, worldview and activity of people.

Impressionism (last third of the 19th century - beginning of the 20th century). The word "impressionism" comes from the French impression - impression. The name arose after an exhibition in 1874, which featured Claude Monet’s painting “Impression. Rising Sun" The Impressionists were the innovators who had the greatest influence on the development of art of the 20th century. The impressionists conveyed artistic means impressions exactly as short moments were recorded by a camera.

They conveyed the external impression of light, shadow, and reflexes on the surface of objects with separate strokes of pure paint, which visually dissolved the form in the environment. The painting method was based on the principle of contrasting perception of complementary colors. The subject of the paintings was of secondary importance for the artists. They tried to capture movement in the picture and at the same time depict and capture the fleeting nuances of this movement. Of particular interest to artists were the unsteady, transitional states of natural phenomena (water, clouds, lighting).

Post-Impressionism (late XIX - early XX centuries). Post - after + impressionism. A general designation for various artistic movements in painting of the 20th century that arose as a reaction to the method of impressionism: symbolism, divisionism, expressionism, fauvism, orphism, cubism. Post-Impressionists include Georges Seurat,Paul Cezanne,Paul Gauguin,Vincent Van Gogh,Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as representatives of neo-impressionism and the Nabi group. Each artist went his own way, forming his own creative method and individual artistic style.

Pointillism, or divisionism, or neo-impressionism (late 19th century). From French point - point, from lat. division - division. The pictorial method and the movement in post-impressionism painting that arose on its basis, in which work on a picture is carried out with small separate strokes of a dotted or rectangular shape of pure color. Strokes of paint of different colors had to be mixed optically when the viewer perceives the picture from some distance, and not mechanically on the artist’s palette, as has always been the case.

Modern (late XIX - early XX centuries). The Russian name for the style, respectively in French, is “l"art nouveau” - new art. Art Nouveau is a set of attempts to form a holistic artistic style in architecture and decorative arts that opposes eclecticism. Representatives of Art Nouveau used new technical constructive means (metal, glass, ceramics) , free layout, unique architectural decor for the creation of unusual, distinctly individual buildings (mainly city mansions), all elements of which were subject to a single ornamental rhythm and a unique symbolic design. decorative arts Art Nouveau is distinguished by the poetics of symbolism, the decorative rhythm of flexible, flowing lines, and stylized floral patterns.

Decadence, or decadence (second half of the 19th - early 20th centuries). From French word decadence - decay, decline. General name for crisis phenomena European culture, which are characterized by moods of hopelessness, rejection of life, and individualism. The constant themes of decadence are the motives of non-existence and death, longing for spiritual values, rejection of civil ideals, faith in reason, which is associated with the increasing role of the intellect. Decadence became widespread in Russia, especially after the revolution of 1905-1907, in the works of a number of masters of the World of Art and Blue Rose associations.

Avant-garde (XX century). A term denoting a collection of motley and diverse innovative, revolutionary, rebellious movements and trends in the artistic culture of the 20th century. Avant-garde phenomena are characteristic of all transitional stages in history artistic culture, individual types of art. However, in the 20th century. The avant-garde has acquired global significance as a powerful phenomenon of artistic culture, which is associated with a turning point in cultural and civilizational processes caused by scientific and technological progress of the 20th century. The main tendency of the avant-garde is the denial of traditions and the experimental search for new forms.

As an extreme expression of a broader movement of modernism, the avant-garde seeks various ways direct impact on readers, listeners, viewers. To produce shock, scandal, outrageousness - without this avant-garde art is impossible. The main thing is the effectiveness of art - it is designed to amaze, stir up, and evoke an active reaction in a person from the outside. In this case, it is desirable that the reaction be immediate, instantaneous, excluding a long and concentrated perception of aesthetic form and content. Misunderstanding, complete or partial, is organically part of the avant-garde artist’s plan. The most significant thing about the avant-garde is its unusualness and catchiness.

The principles of the avant-garde adopted cubism, futurism, dadaism, abstract art, surrealism, expressionism, constructivism and other movements. The Russian avant-garde in fine arts includes M. Chagall,K. Malevich,V. Kandinsky. It was the avant-garde, by shaking and destroying traditional aesthetic norms and principles, forms and methods of artistic expression and opening the possibility of unlimited innovations, often based on the latest achievements of science and technology, that opened the way for the transition of artistic culture to a new quality. With this, the avant-garde fulfilled its function in modern European culture and basically ended its existence as a kind of global phenomenon in the 1960-70s.

Modernism (late XIX - mid-XX century). A general designation for phenomena of art and literature that affirm a new approach to depicting life. Modernism unites many relatively independent ideological and artistic movements and trends, different in social scale and cultural-historical significance (Fauvism, expressionism, symbolism, cubism, abstract art, constructivism). The formation of modernism as a legitimate artistic and aesthetic system was prepared by such stages as decadence and avant-garde. The predominance of gloomy colors, pessimistic moods and anxious, languid forebodings, the consciousness of the unknowability and immutability of the inhuman world - such is the emotional mood of the works of modernism.

Postmodernism (second half of the 20th century). By the middle of the 20th century. Postmodernism was understood as the modern phase of the development of European culture. Leading Western political scientists interpret postmodernism as a symbol post-industrial society. Postmodernism is a broad cultural movement, into whose orbit philosophy, aesthetics, art, and humanities fall.

The triumphant return of a classic film; digital revolution named after Andy Warhol and other interesting things that are happening in the world of fine arts

Contemporary art is no longer modern. Contemporary art with all its postmodernist tricks was invented a century ago.

Skinned cow carcasses, video performances - at first it was exciting, but the question arises, what's next. Will artists be able to come up with something even more abstract and incomprehensible than Kazimir Malevich's square and Jackson Pollock's splashes?

Think outside the box,– advised the well-known Banksy. New trends in art and the art market came from an unexpected direction.

Trend No. 1.

Painting: Return to the Throne

According to critics, the painting was recently “dying”, being replaced by other types of art - video art, installation... At the end of the 2000s, the situation changed radically: the painting was revived as a genre.

The boundary between fine art (“fine art”, made the old fashioned way, with a brush on canvas) and contemporary art (with its deliberate madness and non-formism) has suddenly disappeared somewhere.

The audience, and first of all the artists themselves, terribly missed the paintings in the traditional sense. And it turns out that not everything has been said here yet.

However, to attract attention in the gigantic, oversaturated art market, the painting must be truly talented.

Czech artists Svetlana Kurmaz and Alexander Sokht are bright representatives of the new trend. Famous in Europe and the USA, they are almost unknown in Russia, although they come from the Krasnodar region.

The couple emigrated to Prague a long time ago. Quite quickly, their work gained success among the Western community.

Russian emigrants with a difficult fate are now included in the list of the most sought-after pool by participants in prestigious world art fairs and biennales.

Not least thanks to the new approach to conducting art business - therefore, using their example, we will look at the latest trends.

I will say on my own behalf: I recently came across the brilliant works of Kurmaz and Sokhta and, without any hesitation, I urge you to familiarize yourself with it. It definitely deserves it.

Trend No. 2.

Interface revolution: when you draw on a tablet, you get an oil on canvas.

The widespread use of iPad mechanics has seriously influenced the technology of creating paintings. For example, diasec front printing has become popular: using a principle similar to photograph printing, paint is applied to acrylic.

Nadezhda Voronina, art critic:

- Alexander Sokht creates his works in graphic programs, which he then transfers to canvas, paper or diasec. In this way, innovative techniques help the evolution of the creative method.

Trend No. 3.

Democratization of the art market: now art is collected not by bored millionaires, but by ordinary students and housewives.

Amazing fact: an original work by a famous master can now cost less than $100. The European audience has already tasted the delights of art shopping and is buying up works by contemporaries en masse.

The democratization of prices for high art is especially noticeable in the example of the long-term success of the largest international fair AAF(Affordable Art Fair, “affordable art fair”)

For its organizers, the most important criterion for selecting works is their cost: it should not exceed the price ceiling available to people of average income.

Marketing in the era of copy-paste and re-posting has given a new meaning to Warhol’s ideas: the painting can now be produced in several versions and with different prices.

For example, the works of the same Kurmaz and Sokhta are not cheap at all. But they came up with a strategy that allows them to capture three different price points.

The accessibility strategy is achieved through the release of limited editions on paper and canvas of the author's originals.

That is, a work can exist in five copies, but each of them is an original, which is confirmed by an international certificate.

Trend No. 5.

Galleries are now opened not by gallery owners, but by the artists themselves.

The most important trend: the personal gallery of artists is becoming the main place of interaction between participants in the art market. This is the same advanced formation as a small shop, where the owner himself stands behind the counter.

Nadezhda Voronina, art critic

- In the center of Prague, Kurmaz and Sokhta have their own gallery, created to exhibit themselves. Perhaps this is one of the most successful options for a modern gallery exhibiting and selling art, since everything necessary is brought together here - a clear concept, goals and objectives of the artist. This is a type of gallery of the future, because in contemporary art everything is simplified.

In this case, the mechanics of Facebook and Twitter work. Direct communication between the author and connoisseurs of his work is becoming a more advantageous strategy than communication through agents and buyers.

Gothic(from Italian gotico - unusual, barbaric) - a period in the development of medieval art, covering almost all areas of culture and developing in the Western, Central and partly of Eastern Europe from XII to XV centuries. Gothic completed the development of European medieval art, arising on the basis of the achievements of Romanesque culture, and during the Renaissance, medieval art was considered “barbaric.” Gothic art was cultic in purpose and religious in theme. It addressed the highest divine powers, eternity, and the Christian worldview. Gothic in its development is divided into Early Gothic, Heyday, Late Gothic.

Famous European cathedrals, which tourists love to photograph in great detail, have become masterpieces of the Gothic style. In the design of the interiors of Gothic cathedrals, an important role was played by color schemes. The exterior and interior decoration was dominated by an abundance of gilding, the luminosity of the interior, the openwork of the walls, and the crystalline dissection of space. Matter was devoid of heaviness and impenetrability; it was, as it were, spiritualized.

The huge surfaces of the windows were filled with stained glass windows with compositions that reproduced historical events, apocryphal tales, literary and religious subjects, images of everyday scenes from the life of simple peasants and artisans, which provided a unique encyclopedia of the way of life during the Middle Ages. The kona were filled from top to bottom with figured compositions, which were enclosed in medallions. The combination of light and color in painting using the stained glass technique imparted increased emotionality artistic compositions. A variety of glasses were used: deep scarlet, fiery, red, garnet-colored, green, yellow, dark blue, blue, ultramarine, cut along the contour of the design... The windows heated like precious gems, permeated with external light - they transformed the entire interior of the temple and set his visitors in an elevated mood.

Thanks to Gothic colored glass, new aesthetic values, and the colors acquired the highest sonority of radiant color. Pure color created an atmosphere of air, painted in different tones thanks to the play of light on columns, floors, and stained glass windows. Color became a source of light that deepened perspective. Thick glasses, often unequal, were filled with not entirely transparent bubbles, enhancing the artistic effect of the stained glass. The light, passing through the uneven thickness of the glass, fragmented and began to play.

The best examples of authentic Gothic stained glass are on view in the cathedrals of Chartres, Bourges and Paris (for example, “The Virgin and Child”). Filled with no less splendor, as well as “Wheels of Fire” and “Throwing Lightning” in Chartres Cathedral.

From the middle of the 1st century, complex colors obtained by duplicating glass began to be introduced into the colorful range. Such extraordinary stained glass windows in gothic style preserved in Sainte-Chapelle (1250). Contours were applied to the glass using brown enamel paint, and the shapes were planar in nature.

The Gothic era became the heyday of the art of miniature books, as well as artistic miniatures. The strengthening of secular trends in culture only intensified their development. Illustrations with multi-figure compositions on religious themes included various realistic details: images of birds, animals, butterflies, ornaments of plant motifs, and everyday scenes. The works of the French miniaturist Jean Pussel are filled with a special poetic charm.

In the development of French Gothic miniatures of the 13th and 14th centuries, the leading place was occupied by the Parisian school. The Psalter of Saint Louis is replete with multi-figure compositions framed by a single motif of Gothic architecture, which gives the narrative extraordinary harmony (Louvre, Paris, 1270). The figures of the ladies and knights are graceful, their forms are distinguished by flowing lines, which creates the illusion of movement. Richness and thickness of colors, as well as decorative architecture drawings turn these miniatures into unique works of art and precious page decorations.

The style of the Gothic book is distinguished by pointed shapes, angular rhythm, restlessness, filigree openwork patterns and shallow sinuous lines. It is worth noting that in the 14th and 15th centuries secular manuscripts were also illustrated. Books of hours, scientific treatises, collections of love songs and chronicles are filled with magnificent miniatures. The miniature, illustrating works of courtly literature, embodied the ideal of knightly love, as well as scenes from ordinary life around us. A similar creation is the Manes manuscript (1320).

Over time, Gothic has become more narrated. The “Great French Chronicles” of the 14th century clearly demonstrate the artist’s desire to penetrate into the meaning of the event he depicts. Along with this, books were given decorative elegance through the use of exquisite vignettes and fancy-shaped frames.

Gothic miniatures had a great influence on painting and brought a living current into the art of the Middle Ages. Gothic has become not just a style, but an important link in general cultural development society. The masters of style with incredible accuracy were able to reproduce the image of their contemporary in subject matter and natural environment. Majestic and spiritual Gothic works are surrounded by an aura of unique aesthetic charm. Gothic gave rise to a new understanding of the synthesis of arts, and its realistic conquests prepared the way for the transition to the art of the Renaissance.

The main question that torments all aspiring artists is where does the author’s style come from and how to develop it?
Most established artists answer this question like this:

The author's style is something that you shouldn't think about. You just need to draw and it will come by itself.
In fact, I was never satisfied with this answer and I decided to look into this issue myself.
How should you develop your own author's style?

It seems to me that initially you need to understand what the illustration style is all about. What are they and what are their features?
There are an incredible number of styles in illustration! They are all very closely intertwined with each other. But among them there are five main ones:

• Realism
• Decorative style
• Grotesque
• Minimalism

Realism

Realism is a style according to which the artist’s task is to capture the depicted object as accurately and objectively as possible.
The main emphasis is on maximum image authenticity. When working in the genre of realism, the artist must strictly observe proportions, the laws of chiaroscuro and perspective. However, there is still a certain degree of simplification in this style. The effect of simplification is achieved due to the technique of execution - pencil shading, abundant and careless strokes of paint, as well as some neglect of drawing individual elements using the technique of digital painting to highlight the main object.

Who is realism suitable for?

• To all academic lovers
• Concert for artists

What should you upgrade to master the realism style?

• Academic drawing
• Painting
• Anatomy
• Chiaroscuro
• Realistic textures

Decorative style

Decorative style is a style that has a paradoxical combination of decorative conventions and the realism of the depicted object.
The main strength of the decorative style is the contrast of realism and conventionality. This effect is achieved by dense spot filling of some elements of the object, that is, by using a pure color and obligatory realistic drawing of other elements.
To enhance the effect, you can decorate individual objects with ornaments. When working in a decorative style, it is very important not to overdo it and maintain a balance of conventionality and realism, so that the image evokes as many mixed feelings as possible in the viewer.
Who is the decorative style suitable for?

• To all the rebels who have behind them good school academic drawing
• Magazine illustrator
• Artists who want to create super conceptual and challenging works

What to upgrade to master the decorative style?

• Anatomy
• Ornament and other decorative elements.

Grotesque

Grotesque is an artistic image and style based on whimsicality and a combination of the real and the unreal. Some distortion of the image and plot.
Grotesque is one of the most popular styles in illustration. It is characterized by a significant distortion of proportions, perspective, as well as unusually unusual angles, which, thanks to the laws of perspective, significantly distorts the depicted object.
However, it is very important not to radically depart from the original image in order to maintain its recognition. The grotesque is characterized by a certain metaphorical and surreal nature of the plot and character image.
Who is the grotesque suitable for?

• Most illustrators
• For animators
• Character concept designers

What to upgrade to master the grotesque style?

• Composition
• Plastic anatomy
• Fantasy of the author himself

Naive

Naive is a style main characteristic which is a simplification of the form for perception on a subconscious and emotional level.
Basic distinctive feature is the primitiveness of forms with a practical rejection of anatomy and proportions. It is often called childish or cartoon style.
The main task of illustrations in the naive style is to evoke in the viewer positive emotions and tenderness.
When drawing in a naive style, it is important not to overdo it with simplification, while maintaining the properties and recognition of the depicted object.
Who is the naive style suitable for?

• Most illustrators
• Children's illustrators
• Artist-animator
• Concert for character and environment designers for cartoons

What to upgrade to master the naive style?

• Shaping
• Works with silhouette
• Softness of texture
• Various methods of decorative shading

Minimalism

Minimalism is a style characterized by maximum simplification of the form of the depicted object, the use of minimal means of expression to convey the artistic concept.
Now it is very popular and has another name - Flat Design, that is, “Flat”.
Minimalism is characterized by a lack of perspective and laws of light and shade. Objects are simplified to geometric shapes, or are made up of them. Also, objects can be depicted with only a few lines and spots. To breathe a little life into their work and add charm, illustrators often use nice and rough textures.
Who is the minimalist style suitable for?
For illustrators who want to work with:

• Infographics
• Motion design
• Magazine illustration

What to upgrade to master the minimalist style?

• Composition
• Shaping

After we have analyzed all 5 styles and learned about their features, it’s time for the most important question:

How to develop your own style in illustration?

It is necessary to form an author's style from what you do best. But now that you already know what styles of illustration there are, you can compare your drawings with the examples that I gave and see which style exactly your drawings belong to. And to add flair to your style and make it more memorable, I advise you to combine the characteristics of two different styles into one style of your own.
If you are best at drawing in a naive style, adding elements from a decorative style to it, you will already add your own signature style.

Style is called general direction development of art, representative examples of which are united by ideological meaning, transmission technique, and characteristic techniques creative activity. Styles in the art of painting were closely intertwined, developed into related directions, existed in parallel, enriching each other.

Painting styles and directions were formed under the influence of ideology, political and economic development of society, religion, and traditions.

History of development

The history of the development of styles demonstrates the complex cultural evolution of society.

Gothic

Originated in France in the 11th – 12th centuries. The style developed in Western Europe, and from the 13th – 14th centuries in Central Europe. The origin and evolution of this trend were significantly influenced by the church. The Middle Ages was a period of dominance of church power over secular power, so Gothic artists worked with biblical stories. Distinctive features of the style are: brightness, pretentiousness, dynamism, emotionality, pomp, inattention to perspective. The painting does not look monolithic - it looks like a mosaic of several actions depicted on the canvas.

Renaissance or Rebirth

Came from Italy in the 14th century. For about 200 years this direction was dominant and became the basis for the development of Rococo and Northern Renaissance. Characteristic artistic features of the paintings: a return to the traditions of antiquity, the cult of the human body, interest in detail, humanistic ideas. This direction was focused not on religion, but on the secular side of life. The Northern Renaissance of Holland and Germany was different - here the Renaissance was perceived as a renewal of spirituality and Christian faith that preceded the Reformation. Representatives: Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael Santi, Michelangelo Buonarroti.

Mannerism

Direction in the development of painting of the 16th century. Ideologically the opposite of the Renaissance. Artists moved away from the idea of ​​human perfection and humanism towards the subjectivization of art, focusing on the inner meaning of phenomena and objects. The name of the style comes from the Italian word “manner,” which fully reflects the essence of mannerism. Representatives: J. Pontormo, G. Vasari, Brozino, J. Duve.

Baroque

A lush, dynamic, luxurious style of painting and culture that originated in Italy in the 16th century. Over the course of 200 years, the trend developed in France, Germany, and Spain. Baroque painting is full of bright colors, special attention is paid to details and decorations. The image is not static, it is emotional, which is why Baroque is considered the most intense and expressive stage in the development of painting.

Classicism

It originated in Western European countries in the 17th century, and 100 years later it reached the countries of Eastern Europe. main idea– a return to the tradition of antiquity. Portraits, landscapes, and still lifes are easy to recognize thanks to dogmatic reproduction and adherence to clear rules of style. Classicism degenerated into academicism - a style that absorbed the most striking features of antiquity and the Renaissance. N. Poussin, J.-L. David, and the Russian Itinerants worked in this style.

Romanticism

Replaced by classicism in the second quarter of the 19th century. Artistic features: the desire to convey individuality, even if it is imperfect, emotionality, expressiveness of feelings, fantastic images. The art of romantic artists denies the norms and rules of the classical stage of the development of painting. There is renewed interest in folk traditions, legends, national history. Representatives: F. Goya, T. Gericault, K. Bryullov, E. Delacroix.

Symbolism

The cultural direction of the late 19th - 20th centuries, its ideological basis was drawn from romanticism. The symbol came first in creativity, and the artist was a mediator between reality and the fantastic world of creativity.

Realism

Artistic research that puts the accuracy of conveying shapes, parameters, and shades in the foreground. Characterized by naturalness, precision in the embodiment of the inner essence and outer shell. This style is the most large-scale, popular and multifaceted. Its branches are modern trends– photography and hyperrealism. Representatives: G. Courbet, T. Rousseau, Itinerant artists, J. Breton.

Impressionism

Originated in late XIX– beginning of the 20th century. Homeland - France. The essence of the style is the embodiment of the magic of the first impression in the picture. The artists conveyed this short moment using short strokes of paint on the canvas. It is better to perceive such pictures not at close range. The artists' works are filled with colors and light. Post-Impressionism became a phase in the development of the style - it is characterized by greater attention to form and contours. Artists: O. Renoir, C. Pissarro, C. Monet, P. Cezanne.

Modern

An original, vibrant style that became the basis for the formation of many picturesque movements of the 20th century. The movement collected features of art from all eras - emotionality, interest in ornaments, plasticity, and the predominance of smooth, curvilinear outlines. Symbolism became the basis for development. Modernism is ambiguous - it developed in European countries in different ways and under different names.

Avant-garde

Artistic styles that are characterized by a rejection of realism, symbolism in the transmission of information, bright colors, individualization and freedom of creative design. The avant-garde category includes: surrealism, cubism, fauvism, futurism, expressionism, abstractionism. Representatives: V. Kandinsky, P. Picasso, S. Dali.

Primitivism or naive style

A direction characterized by a simplified image of reality.

The listed styles have become major milestones in the development of painting - they continue to transform into new forms of creative expression of artists.