Discover how art styles have evolved through different dynasties and historical periods
2500 BCE to present
Traditional tribal art from the Warli tribe in India, featuring simple stick figures and geometric shapes to depict daily life, nature, and rituals.
Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) onwards
Traditional Chinese folk art of creating colorful figurines from dough, often depicting mythical characters, animals, and flowers, used in festivals and as decorative gifts.
Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE)
Traditional paper-cutting art from the Han Dynasty, often used in festive decorations, symbolizing good luck and joy, commonly used for festival decorations.
3100 BCE–30 BCE
Ancient Egyptian art style featuring symbolic hieroglyphic writing and stylized figures, often depicting gods, pharaohs, and daily life with a focus on eternity and the afterlife.
6th century BCE onwards
Indian Mandala art, characterized by symmetrical geometric patterns and vibrant colors, symbolizing spirituality and meditation.
5th century BCE to Middle Ages
Ancient Celtic art style featuring interwoven knot patterns, often symbolizing eternity and interconnectedness, used in manuscripts and stone carvings.
Pre-Columbian era to present
Mexican Folk Art, known for its vivid colors and hand-painted style, often depicting Day of the Dead elements with a festive spirit.
Prehistoric times to present
African Tribal Art, featuring bold geometric shapes and earthy tones, showcasing traditional masks and animal patterns.
40,000 years ago to present
Traditional Australian Aboriginal art style using dots to create patterns and symbols, often depicting Dreamtime stories, landscapes, and animals.
Pre-contact period to present
Traditional Hawaiian art form using beaten bark cloth (kapa) with stamped geometric patterns, often dyed with natural pigments to create intricate designs.
Pre-European contact to present
Traditional Maori art style featuring intricate tattoo patterns (ta moko), often using spirals and curves to represent genealogy, status, and identity.
4th to 14th century CE
Thousand-year-old art showcasing ancient flying apsaras and Buddhist themes, filled with spirituality and history.
4th to 15th century CE
Byzantine art style featuring intricate mosaics with religious themes, often using gold backgrounds and vibrant colors to depict saints and biblical scenes.
7th century onwards
Islamic Geometric Patterns, known for their intricate, repeating designs and symmetry, often used in architecture and decorative arts to reflect the infinite nature of creation.
7th century onwards
Traditional Tibetan Buddhist art form featuring detailed paintings on cloth, often depicting deities, mandalas, and spiritual scenes for meditation and teaching.
13th to 19th century
Persian art style featuring detailed, colorful miniature paintings, often illustrating epic poems, historical events, and courtly life with a focus on elegance and storytelling.
14th century onwards
Traditional Japanese ink wash painting, using black ink and minimal brushstrokes to capture the essence of subjects like landscapes, animals, and bamboo.
17th century to present
Traditional Scandinavian art style featuring whimsical floral and animal motifs, often used in textiles and woodwork, with a focus on simplicity and nature.
18th century to present
Traditional Navajo art form using colored sand to create temporary designs for healing ceremonies, often depicting spiritual symbols and natural elements.
Late 19th century
Russian Matryoshka style, hand-painted with vibrant colors and folk floral patterns, evoking a cozy and traditional atmosphere.
Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) onwards
Traditional Chinese landscape painting style, emphasizing the harmony between nature and humanity, often featuring mountains, rivers, and misty atmospheres with ink and brush techniques.
Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) onwards
A meticulous Chinese painting style known for its fine brushwork and detailed depictions, often used for flowers, birds, and figures, emphasizing realism and elegance.
Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368) onwards
Traditional Chinese ceramic art style featuring intricate blue designs on a white background, often depicting landscapes, flowers, and mythical creatures, symbolizing elegance and purity.
Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) onwards
Traditional Chinese folk art used during the Lunar New Year, featuring bright colors and auspicious symbols like the God of Wealth, peonies, and children to bring good luck and prosperity.
Edo Period (1603–1868)
Traditional Japanese woodblock print art from the 17th century, depicting natural beauty, geishas, and samurais with elegance and drama.
1860s–1900
A 19th-century art movement characterized by loose brushwork, vibrant colors, and an emphasis on capturing the effects of light and atmosphere.
1890–1910
A late 19th to early 20th-century art movement characterized by flowing lines, organic forms, and nature-inspired motifs, often used in architecture and decorative arts.
1907–1920s
A 20th-century art movement pioneered by Picasso and Braque, characterized by fragmented forms, multiple perspectives, and abstract geometric shapes.
1919–1933
A 20th-century design movement emphasizing functionality, minimalism, and geometric abstraction, often using primary colors and simple shapes.
1920s–1960s
A 20th-century art movement exploring the unconscious mind, featuring dreamlike, fantastical scenes with unexpected combinations and distorted forms.
1950s–1970s
A 20th-century art movement characterized by bold colors, comic book aesthetics, and popular culture imagery, often with a satirical or playful tone.
Ready to Create Your Own Cultural Artwork?
Apply what you've learned about the history of cultural art by creating your own artwork inspired by these traditions.
