Painting Throughout History

Painting is the art of applying pigments to a surface whether it is on paper, canvas, a wall or any other medium, to create an image with lines and colors. The image can represent real objects found around us or imaginary ones. It may also be an arrangement of abstract forms. The art of drawing is very essential in painting as one step together with composition and other aesthetic consideration in forming the finished work.

History has allowed painting to serve a variety of functions. It was an important part of religious rites during prehistoric times. It was also the most common means of providing a visual record of events and people. By the 20th century, painting has become a medium of personal expression. Modern artists have incorporated other materials such as sand, cement, straw and wood to add variation to the texture. The concept has slowly eclipsed the historic value of the craft but this has not deterred most artists to continue practicing it.

The Prehistoric times saw paintings of animals in the walls of the caves of primitive men. The Egyptians decorated tombs with scenes depicting the dead mans family and possessions. The more lively Minoan painting was used to decorate stuccoed walls of palaces. Mycenaean culture changed this painting to depict conquests and hunts.