ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Timeline of art

Imagine you are coloring a picture. First, you draw the outline of the picture with a pencil. This is what people did a really long time ago, too. This is called prehistoric art because it was done before there was writing or recorded history.

Then, people started using different types of colors to make their pictures. They used ochre, charcoal, and other natural materials. This is called ancient art and it was done by civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans.

Later, people started using paint and being more realistic in their art. This is called classical art and it was done during the Renaissance, which is a period of time between the 14th and 17th centuries. Some famous artists from this time are Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael. They made beautiful paintings and sculptures that look like real people.

After classical art, people started to experiment with different styles and techniques. This is called contemporary art and it includes things like abstract art, pop art, and street art. Sometimes it can be hard to understand, but people still like it because it looks cool and it makes them feel different things.

So, to sum it up, there are 4 main periods of art: prehistoric, ancient, classical, and contemporary. Each one has different styles and techniques that people used to create beautiful pictures and sculptures.