Outline of painting history

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the history of painting:

Contents

• Prehistoric painting
• Ancient painting
• Medieval painting
• Painting during the Renaissance
• Baroque painting
• 18th Century painting
• 20th century painting
• References

History of painting – painting is the production of paintings, that is, the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface (support base, such as paper, canvas, or a wall); the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other implements, such as knives, sponges, and airbrushes, can be used. The history of painting reaches back in time to artifacts from pre-historic humans, and spans all cultures. It represents a continuous, though periodically disrupted tradition from Antiquity.