This first recorded art was done by cave men who drew on their cave walls. The drawing usually depicted the animals that they hunted and were a part of their daily lives. The drawings rather simple as they were sometimes carve into the rock of the cave wall.

The Ancient Egyptians used art as a way to praise their gods. Many of their gods were depicted with the heads of animals. Most ancient Egypt art is presented in painting and sculpturing and has been mostly discovered in tombs and monuments. There is a very strong emphasis on life after death in their art.

As tribal art varies from different places around the world, it all has some form of animals in it. Much of African tribal art is presented with masks, used in ceremonies, initiations, or rituals. . Much of their art showcases a combination of both animal and human features to portray man’s bond with nature.

Stone Age Ancient Egypt Tribal

As the Renaissance movement began to emerge, the current art style went through many changes. One of those changes was it became popular to depict animals and mythological scenes. Mythical beasts were used to decorate medieval manuscripts, such as books and letters. And when common animals were draw they usually represented some deep symbolic meaning.

In the 17th century, as Baroque, the style of using exaggerated motion and clear detail to produce drama and tension became popular, so did animals as a subject for artists. They were drawn or painted being hunted by men, symbolizing the dramatic life struggle between man and beast.

Middle Ages 17th Century

The 18th century was a turbulent time, encompassing both the American and French revolution. Independence was on everyone’s mind and it showed in their art. In the 18th century the current fashion was to paint animals in their nature habitats, to celebrate their beauty and majestic power. As can be seen in George Stubbs’s painting of horses. Or George Edwards’s many prints of different types of birds.

The 19th century experienced many different culture movements, the Realism and Romanticism of the early 19th century gave way to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism in the later half of the century. Paris was dominating the art world. It was a sentimental time, as was portrayed by artists who painted pictures of animals. The paintings displayed artist’s domestic pets and livestock.

18th Century19th Century

By Maddie Lambert

Throughout the 20th century artists have played with previous animal art styles as well as creating some of their own. Now there are many different genres for animals in art.

20th Century