Ancient Painting Forms

Any aspect of painting is very unique and makes it special. The history of “painting” spans back in time from the pre historic times and is spread out through distinct cultures. The history of ancient painting forms is quite interesting and includes pre historic paintings, Eastern paintings, Chinese painting, Japanese paintings, Indian and Mughal painting forms among others.

1. Pre Historic Paintings

The oldest known paintings can be cited to be around 40,000 years old. Interestingly, these paintings have been done by engraving and painting black pigments and red ochre. These usually depict hunting of animals like horse, lions and buffalo among others. This ancient form of painting also known by the name of cave painting is found all over the world in including countries as India, France, Spain and Australia among others.

2. Eastern Paintings

Eastern paintings are unique in the sense that these have been influenced from different cultures and religions. Eastern paintings developed almost at the same time when the western painting form had gained sufficient ground. In some of the early pottery paintings one will usually find paintings done with dots, animal forms and zigzag designs.

Warring States period ranging from 403 to 221 BC can be said to be turning point in reference to the Eastern Painting form. It was only during this era that representation of the world began to be described in detail on various paintings.

Among the eastern paintings, Japanese Paintings hold a great significance. It is one of the oldest and most refined of Japanese art forms and holds a great significance in the eastern painting scenario.

Japan, Korea and China are the three Asian countries which have had a strong traditional influence on art in form of printmaking and calligraphy.

3. Indian Paintings

A unique aspect of Indian Paintings is that the same had a strong influence of various kings and religious Gods. Indian paintings are essentially a collection of various ideas and thoughts which have been part of distinct schools of paintings which existed in the Indian subcontinent.

Rock paintings and murals depicted at rock shelters of Bhimbetka can be considered to be the earliest of the Indian Paintings which came to public preview. Similarly, the cave paintings in Ajanta, Elora and Elephanta caves in Mumbai can be considered to be another of the special lot in the Indian Painting category which speaks volumes about the developments in the Indian art segment.

Other significant painting forms in India include the Madhubani paintings, Rajput paintings Tanjore paintings, The Madras School and The Bengal School of paintings.

4. Filipino Paintings

This is another unique painting form, given the fact that this is influenced by multiple cultures simultaneously. The initiation of Filipino paintings began during 17^th Century when the influence of Spain dominated the region.

5. Egyptian and Greek Paintings

Egyptians have been known to be great painters since ancient times. The use of bright colours in their painting forms too has attracted the attention of specialists who have been working over the years in restoring the old art form. A unique aspect associated with the ancient Egyptian painting was that a majority of this work was done by using linen as a medium. A distinct example of the Egyptian painting form is the depiction of various Gods and Goddesses including Horus, Nut, Isis and Osiris in their paintings.

Greece too was well known in the region when it came to depicting various Gods and Goddesses in various painted depictions. The paintings were mainly carried out on pottery and ceramics which is another reason that these have stood the test of time and the various paintings which have been excavated have amused the experts and art lovers in general.

6. The Golden Age of Paintings- Renaissance

Renaissance can be considered to be the golden phase of paintings. The phase spread through the 14^th to middle of 17^th century and artists including Fra Angelico, Piero della and Leonardo da Vinci among a host of others made their mark during this special phase.

Another important aspect related to paintings during the 15^th century was that panel paintings became increasingly popular. These could be hung on walls and were easy to move around. They gave severe competition to Fresco paintings which were more off a permanent fixture.

18^th and 19^th century saw the evolution of Neo classism and historic paintings. This was also the period when Romanticism, Impressionism, Post Impressionism and Symbolism also became increasingly popular.

With the focus shifting to 20^th century, modern and contemporary painting form became much popular and names as Van Gogh and Seurat started making the rounds in the art world. However, the essence of ancient painting form will rarely be lost and their importance shall remain in demand as always.