We all are aware of the cultural importance of Oil Painting. In fact, Oil Painting has played a significant role in not just the growth of art but also in the evolution of humankind. The majority of the paintings that have shaped the world we know today were oil paintings.
From classical paintings to a more modern custom oil painting, the medium has manifested itself into an artist’s favorite.
It is indeed a difficult medium when compared to Charcoal or Pencil, but the timeless element of Oil Painting has helped it survive the books of history.
But very few know how this absolutely vibrant and realistic medium of oil evolved.
Let’s uncover the long evolution of oil painting and its impact on the world today.
Who Made the First Oil Painting?
The oil painting has been around for millennia.
While no one really knows the full history of the technique, some clues allow us to fill up the spaces in the puzzle.
The earliest “known” oil paintings are from the 7th Century Bamiyan, Afghanistan.
Archaeologists discovered them in the historic village from a former site on the silk trade route. However, this was not painted on a canvas.
Artists painted on walls and preserved their works with a layer of varnish.
One can never really know if this was the beginning of the medium, but it has been around for some time.
How Did Oil Paintings Come to the West?
Suddenly, in the 12th Century, Theophilus introduced the idea of oil painting in his manuscript, where he wrote about the entire process of producing the paint.
He wrote about “grinding colors with oil” to produce a rich, vibrant paste that could be used for decorative carving and wood painting. He also mentioned its durability and realistic nature.
Instead, egg tempera became artists’ go-to painting medium for most of the Middle Ages.
15th Century Renaissance
Renaissance was the beginning of all things good in the West. If it were not for this “revival”, the West could never emerge out of its dark ages.
It was during the 15th Century Northern Renaissance that famous Italian artists like Jan van Eyck popularized oil painting medium.
Eyck and his brother understood how colored pigments could blend with oils to create a sparkling and shiny lifelike effect.
He started experimenting by layering egg tempera before completing it with transparent glazes of oil paint.
This experimentation allowed him to create radiant, glistening effects on canvas.
Hence, the wonderful painting – Arnolfini Portrait.
It was post-Van Eyck that Giovanni Bellini promoted oil painting in most parts of Italy. Walking in the footsteps of Bellini, his protege, Titan started painting expressive paintings. All his works were in oil, leaving brushstrokes and paint marks on the canvas, thus revolutionizing a new approach to making art.
Evolution of Oil Painting Through Ages
Post renaissance, it was just a matter of the painters in each era that did the deed of taking oil paintings forward.
All Titan had to do was make oil painting so famous that it became a necessity and work of great genius for aesthetes.
Starting with the:
Golden Age of Oil Painting: 16th Century
The 16th Century was a great era of innovation and artistry in the world of oil painting. It were the French that started understanding the importance of oil painting and gave a pathway for the rest of the artists.
The largest pieces of oil paintings were made during this period by artists like Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael and even Michelangelo, who created an entire fresco with oil and tempera.
Baroque Oil Painting: The 17th Century Revolution
In the 17th century, artists of the Baroque period revolutionized the way oil painting was used, creating dramatic and emotional works.
They introduced the play of light and shadow through painting techniques like chiaroscuro.
The period was filled with works of Rembrandt, Caravaggio, and Rubens, one of the bigger names in art history – works of whom were stolen and damaged yet wowed in wonder even today.
Rococo Paintings: 18th Century Oil Painting Elegance
The 18th century was an era of elegance and refinement of oil painting with the emergence of the Rococo style.
The period saw artists like Jean-Honore, Francois Boucher and others who created romance on canvas. They captured the delicate beauty and grace of the era.
The use of pastel colors suddenly saw a spike, and artists started using flowing lines and ornate details.
Realism Art: 19th Century Oil Painting Styles
19th-century Realism gave a new perspective to oil paintings, and artists started exploring new techniques.
Realism became popular, and artists like Vincent van Gog and Gustav Courbet started creating works that depicted everyday life.
Use of bright colors, bold strokes, and loose, expressive techniques took center stage.
Still, in oil painting, this period captured the fleeting moments of real life.
Modern Oil Paintings: The 20th and 21st Century Art
The contemporary 20th and 21st centuries have seen an explosion of creativity and experimentation when it comes to oil paintings.
Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock and Gustav Klimt have been soaring names who have pushed the boundaries of what is possible with just a few sets of oil paints.
Yes, of course, some of these names have been the center of a lot of controversies, but how we consume art is something one should think about.
Their works are often synonymous with boldness. Today, artists continue to innovate and push the limits, making the medium an endless fascination for artists and art lovers alike.
End Statement
In conclusion, the evolution of oil painting from classics to contemporary has shown great levels of growth.
Although we cannot pinpoint when and where the medium emerged, its use for centuries has given the art world stunning masterpieces.
Overall, the evolution of oil painting has been a fascinating journey filled with creativity, experimentation and, most importantly, sustainability. It is an art form that is less likely to go out of style.
It can be adapted, transformed, reformed even, but never diminished.
Disclaimer:
This is a sponsored post. Qrius does not own any of the content/images provided in this article
