The purpose of art is to inspire emotions, thoughts and ideas in the viewer. It is a form of communication that can be expressed in many ways, including painting, drawing, sculpture, poetry and music. It can teach us about ourselves and the world around us, as well as encourage creative thinking, lateral thinking and risk-taking. It is also an excellent tool for education, presenting topics in a way that can be easily understood by students of all ages and backgrounds. Art is also a great equalizer of society, giving those who may not have access to a higher level of education the opportunity to learn about history, culture and traditions from an artistic medium.
During prehistoric times, Homo sapiens used simple pigments to create drawings on the walls of caves for narrative, shamanic and ritual purposes. These early art forms are believed to be the first attempt at artistic expression. More advanced examples of artwork emerged in Ancient Egypt, where sculptures and paintings were created to depict gods, kings, and everyday life.
In the past, art was considered a skill that could be learned through hard work and practice. However, with the rise of Romanticism and the birth of individualism, it came to mean something more personal and unique. Art became a way to express the artist’s personality and unique perspective on the world. This was reflected in the style of the artwork, which often included the artist’s name or symbolism.
As time went by, a new school of thought emerged in the field of art, one that looked at the nature and function of art in relation to the human experience. This was centered on the idea that humans have an internal sense of balance and harmony (beauty) that transcends utilitarian functions. This feeling is said to be a basic aspect of being human, similar to the ability to laugh, love or cry.
This philosophy led to the development of modernism, which emphasized individuality and creativity. This in turn led to the development of more experimental styles, such as cubism and futurism. As a result, there are now an almost endless number of ways that art can be created and presented to the public.
A fourth school of thought contends that a definition of art that states individually necessary and jointly sufficient conditions is impossible to discover because cognitive science supports the notion that humans categorize things in terms of their similarity to prototypes (or exemplars). It further claims that any definition of art that fails to take this into account will be arbitrary, inconsistent and flawed.
It is also worth considering whether or not a piece of artwork has been influenced by the surrounding environment and events. This could include natural disasters; social movements, such as feminism; political events; economic situations; historic or religious settings; or cultural events. The question of influence is important because it helps to determine if a work of art is authentic or not.