Stone carving is the controlled removal of natural stone for shaping. Earliest known representational art is stone carvings. Prehistoric Venus figurines may be as old as 250,000 years. Early techniques used abrasives and hammering before steel
Ancient Egyptian art spans 6th millennium BC to 4th century AD. Art served functional purpose bound with religion and ideology. No word for "art" existed in ancient Egyptian language. Art portrayed idealized, unrealistic view of world
Gothic art emerged in Northern France in 12th century from Romanesque style. Style spread across Western Europe, never fully replacing classical styles in Italy. International Gothic developed in late 14th century, continuing until late 15th century
Born in Florence around 1386, Donatello studied classical sculpture. Worked as apprentice to Ghiberti in 1404-1407. Traveled to Rome, Padua, and Siena to study ancient art
Neoclassicism emerged in 1760s as reaction to Rococo style. Movement based on ancient Greek and Roman art, emphasizing harmony and clarity. Archaeological discoveries at Herculaneum and Pompeii gave movement momentum. Johann Joachim Winckelmann advocated imitating Greek art for universal beauty
Michelangelo was born in 1475 in Florence to a family of minor nobility. He apprenticed to Domenico Ghirlandaio at age 13, leaving after one year. Became under Lorenzo de' Medici's wing, gaining access to ancient Roman art collection