Art 101: A Crash Course in Art History (For People Who Don't Know a Monet from a Manet)
- Mary Katherine Fickel
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest: the art world can feel like it’s speaking a different language. Maybe you’ve stood in a gallery thinking, “Am I supposed to know who this is?” or “Why does this painting of a square cost more than my car?”
Whether you’re brand-new to collecting or just art-curious, this Art 101 blog series is here to give you a solid foundation, without the snooty lectures. We’re kicking things off with a crash course in Art History so you can walk into any gallery with confidence (and maybe even impress your friends at dinner).
From Cave Walls to the Met Gala: A Lightning-Fast Timeline of Art
🐘 Prehistoric Art (~30,000 BCE–3,000 BCE)
Before there were art dealers, there were mammoths. Early humans painted animals, symbols, and handprints on cave walls using natural pigments. Think of it as the original Instagram story.
Famous Example: The Lascaux Caves in France
🏛 Classical Art (Greece & Rome: ~500 BCE–500 CE)
Cue marble sculptures, epic battles, and those perfect abs you see in ancient statues. This era was all about harmony, idealized beauty, and the power of the human form.
Famous Artists: Phidias, Praxiteles (not household names, but their influence still echoes)
✝ Medieval & Byzantine (500–1400)
Art got religious. Really religious. Gold leaf, halos, stained glass; most works were made for churches, not private homes. It was all about devotion and divine symbolism.
Notable Works: Illuminated manuscripts, mosaics in Ravenna
🎨 Renaissance (1400–1600)
Things got human again. This is when art as we know it really kicked off: perspective, realism, emotion, anatomy. The Renaissance produced some of the most famous artists of all time.
Famous Names: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael
🌷 Baroque & Rococo (1600–1750)
Drama, movement, and extra. Baroque art was full of emotion, while Rococo was its more playful, pastel cousin. Think chandeliers, powdered wigs, and over-the-top flair.
Artists to Know: Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Fragonard
👩🎨 Neoclassicism to Romanticism (1750–1850)
Neoclassicism went back to clean lines and Greco-Roman order. Romanticism responded by going full emotion mode, stormy landscapes, rebellious heroes, and all the feels.
Art Celebs: Jacques-Louis David, Eugène Delacroix, J.M.W. Turner
🎩 Modern Art (1850–1970)
This is where things get spicy. Impressionism, Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, art started breaking rules. Movements shifted quickly as artists explored new techniques and philosophies.
Movers & Shakers: Monet, Van Gogh, Picasso, Dali, Rothko
🖥 Contemporary Art (1970–Today)
From installations to NFTs, today’s art is global, diverse, and often conceptual. You’ll find everything from political performance art to photorealistic paintings, and yes, the occasional banana duct-taped to a wall.
Living Legends: Yayoi Kusama, Jeff Koons, Jenny Holzer, Kehinde Wiley
🖼 Why Does This Matter for Collectors?
Understanding art history helps you:
Recognize influences and styles in the work you’re collecting
Appreciate the evolution of artistic techniques and themes
Connect with artists on a deeper level (and ask smarter questions)
Make informed purchases, not just pretty ones
Even a basic grasp of art history adds major confidence when walking into a gallery or fair.
🎁 Don’t Miss This: Your Free Guide to Collecting Art
Are you looking to start or grow your art collection but unsure where to begin?
Our Free Digital Guide to Collecting Art is your ultimate resource!
Packed with expert insights, practical tips, and must-know strategies, this guide will help you navigate the art world with confidence, whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned collector.
💬 External Resources to Dive Deeper:
Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History – The Met
Smart History – Free, non-stuffy art history from experts
Google Arts & Culture – Virtual museum tours & curated collections
Hi there! I’m MK, owner of The Good Art Company and our Mentorship Program. Thanks for reading Art 101: A Crash Course in Art History (For People Who Don't Know a Monet from a Manet)
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