Art history is rich with various movements that reflect the cultural, social, and political climates of their times. Here's an exhaustive look at these movements, arranged chronologically and by region.
Prehistoric Art (Before 3000 BCE)
• Palaeolithic Art: Cave paintings, carvings, such as those found in Lascaux and Altamira.
• Neolithic Art: Pottery, megaliths like Stonehenge.
Ancient Art (3000 BCE-500 CE)
• Egyptian Art: Tomb paintings, pyramids, and hieroglyphics.
• Mesopotamian Art: Ziggurats, cylinder seals.
• Minoan Art: Frescoes, pottery.
• Mycenaean Art: Gold masks, pottery.
• Greek Art: Idealised human forms, pottery, sculpture, and architecture.
• Etruscan Art: Tomb paintings, sculptures.
• Roman Art: Realistic sculptures, mosaics, grand architecture.
Medieval Art (500-1400)
• Early Christian Art: Catacombs, mosaics.
• Byzantine Art: Icons, church mosaics.
• Insular Art: Illuminated manuscripts.
• Carolingian Art: Manuscripts, metalwork.
• Ottonian Art: Manuscripts, architecture.
• Romanesque Art: Sculptures, church architecture.
• Gothic Art: Stained glass, cathedrals.
Renaissance Art (14th-17th century)
• Early Renaissance: Frescoes, sculptures by artists like Giotto and Donatello.
• High Renaissance: Masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael.
• Northern Renaissance: Detailed oil paintings by artists like Jan van Eyck and Albrecht Dürer.
• Mannerism: Elongated figures, complex compositions by artists like El Greco.
Baroque Art (17th century)
• Baroque: Dramatic, detailed paintings by Caravaggio, Rubens, and architecture by Bernini.
Rococo Art (18th century)
• Rococo: Light, decorative art by Fragonard and Watteau.
Neoclassicism (18th-19th century)
• Neoclassicism: Inspired by ancient Greek and Roman art, with Jacques-Louis David leading the movement.
Romanticism (19th century)
• Romanticism: Emphasis on emotion, individualism, and nature, seen in the works of Turner, Constable, and Delacroix.
Realism (19th century)
• Realism: Depictions of everyday life by artists like Courbet and Millet.
Impressionism (19th century)
• Impressionism: Capturing light and colour, with Monet, Renoir, Degas as key figures.
Post-Impressionism (19th-20th century)
• Post-Impressionism: Expanded on Impressionism with artists like Van Gogh, Cézanne, Gauguin.
Symbolism (19th-20th century)
• Symbolism: Dream-like, imaginative themes by Gustav Klimt, Odilon Redon.
Art Nouveau (19th-20th century)
• Art Nouveau: Flowing, organic forms by artists like Mucha and Horta.
Fauvism (20th century)
• Fauvism: Bold, vibrant colours used by Matisse and Derain.
Expressionism (20th century)
• Expressionism: Emotional, subjective depictions by Edvard Munch, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner.
Cubism (20th century)
• Cubism: Geometric, fragmented forms introduced by Picasso and Braque.
Futurism (20th century)
• Futurism: Dynamic, speed-focused art by Boccioni, Severini.
Suprematism (20th century)
• Suprematism: Abstract, geometric shapes by Kazimir Malevich.
Dada (20th century)
• Dada: Absurd, anti-art movement with figures like Marcel Duchamp.
De Stijl (20th century)
• De Stijl: Abstract, geometric forms by Piet Mondrian.
Surrealism (20th century)
• Surrealism: Dreamlike, unconscious imagery by Dalí, Magritte.
Abstract Expressionism (20th century)
• Abstract Expressionism: Spontaneous, abstract works by Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko.
Pop Art (20th century)
• Pop Art: Popular culture-inspired works by Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein.
Minimalism (20th century)
• Minimalism: Simple, abstract forms by Donald Judd, Agnes Martin.
Conceptual Art (20th-21st century)
• Conceptual Art: Idea-focused works by Sol LeWitt, Joseph Kosuth.
Contemporary Art (21st century)
• Installation Art: Site-specific, immersive installations.
• Performance Art: Live, ephemeral performances.
• Postmodernism: Questioning modernist ideas.
• Digital Art: Computer-generated works by artists like Jenny Holzer.
By Region...
France
• Gothic Art: Cathedrals like Notre-Dame.
• Rococo: Fragonard, Watteau.
• Neoclassicism: Jacques-Louis David.
• Romanticism: Eugène Delacroix.
• Impressionism: Monet, Renoir, Degas.
• Post-Impressionism: Van Gogh, Gauguin.
• Fauvism: Matisse.
• Surrealism: Dalí, Magritte.
• Cubism: Picasso, Braque.
Italy
• Renaissance: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael.
• Baroque: Caravaggio, Bernini.
• Futurism: Marinetti, Boccioni.
Germany
• Northern Renaissance: Albrecht Dürer.
• Expressionism: Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Franz Marc.
• Bauhaus: Walter Gropius, Paul Klee.
United Kingdom
• Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood: Dante Gabriel Rossetti, John Everett Millais.
• Romanticism: J.M.W. Turner, John Constable.
• Arts and Crafts Movement: William Morris.
• Pop Art: David Hockney, Richard Hamilton.
Spain
• Baroque: Diego Velázquez.
• Cubism: Pablo Picasso.
• Surrealism: Salvador Dalí, Joan Miró.
United States
• Abstract Expressionism: Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko.
• Pop Art: Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein.
• Minimalism: Donald Judd, Agnes Martin.
• Contemporary Art: Jeff Koons, Kara Walker.
Netherlands
• Dutch Golden Age: Rembrandt, Vermeer.
• De Stijl: Piet Mondrian.
• Post-Impressionism: Vincent van Gogh.
Russia
• Constructivism: El Lissitzky, Vladimir Tatlin.
• Suprematism: Kazimir Malevich.
Japan
• Ukiyo-e: Hokusai, Hiroshige.
• Nihonga: Yokoyama Taikan.
Mexico
• Mexican Muralism: Diego Rivera, José Clemente Orozco, David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Austria
• Vienna Secession: Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele.
Norway
• Expressionism: Edvard Munch.
Switzerland
• Dada: Marcel Janco, Jean Arp.
China
• Socialist Realism: Cai Guo-Qiang, Xu Bing.
This comprehensive list illustrates the diversity and richness of art movements across history and around the world. Each movement brought unique perspectives and innovations, shaping the evolution of art and its impact on society.