An artist is somebody engaged in an artistic activity, practicing an artistic art, or displaying an artistic talent. The term artist is typically used in academic discourse and everyday speech referring generally to an artist in the visual arts alone. There are many types of artists such as Printmakers, Sculptors, Printmakers, Glassmakers, and Furniture makers just to name a few. An artist can be as general or as specific as they wish.
Art historians have divided art into three main periods of time. These are the Pre-Classical period, Classical period, and Renaissance period. During the Classical period, there were many advancements in many fields such as art and science. In the Pre-Classical period, most people could paint and use rudimentary tools. For example, pottery was invented in Greece. Other things such as glass, shadowboxes, and writing containers were also used by early craftsmen.
Classical period on the other hand saw the invention of many art mediums such as oil paintings, sculptures, and furniture. The works of the masters were brought into the forefront of every household. This also lead to the modern obsession with symmetry, form, and form in everything from architecture to fashion to photography. In terms of aesthetics, the Classical period can be said to have given birth to some of the most beautiful art in history including the Leonardo DaVinci’s Mona Lisa, the Old Stone Age art, the Pazyryk clock, and the Vitruvian Man. The most important and key takeaways from this period are that beauty is found in simplicity, balance, and symmetry.
In the Renaissance period, new advancements in art were made including the use of metals and natural stone to create larger pieces. The artist began to understand that beauty was more than just visual aspects and that a piece of artwork should communicate a meaningful message to its viewers. The artists of this time recognized that an artist must first inspire the audience and then focus their work on appealing to, and connecting with their audience. Through this concept, artists have been able to effectively use symbolism in order to appeal to, and connect with, human emotion.
Another important art period during which an artist could flourish is the Gothic period. This period saw the greatest expansion in the scope of artistic expression. The Gothic artiste was not only inspired by human beauty but the visual arts as well. They utilized natural stones and objects as a form of building their work. They were highly skilled and creative artists who utilized all of their senses in their work. They were masters at mimicking nature and using natural elements as a basis for their designs and creations.
Modern day fine artists continue to embrace the visual arts as a powerful and inspirational way to express themselves and their message. The growth and evolution of the medium has allowed artists to expand their message in new directions. While traditionalists may still be somewhat upset with this development, modern artists are enjoying a much wider range of artistic expressions. The growth of digital technology has also allowed artists to use the internet to promote their work. In this manner, artists have the ability to increase their clientele and make connections with a worldwide audience.
