#Unit 4: Art from 1750-1980 - Your Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future art historian! Unit 4 is a big one, but also super exciting because it covers so much ground. Think of it as a journey through art history, where we see how the world around us shapes what artists create. Let's dive in and make sure you're ready to rock this exam!

Unit 4 is a major focus on the AP exam, so make sure to give it the attention it deserves!

#🧭 Contextualization: Setting the Stage

This unit spans a huge chunk of time (1750-1980), so understanding the historical backdrop is key. Let's hit the major points that will help you make sense of the art.

#💡 The Enlightenment (1715 – 1789)

• What it was: A period of new thinking, emphasizing reason, science, and individual rights over tradition and superstition.

• Key Ideas:

  • Individualism: Focus on the importance and uniqueness of each person.
  • Secularism: Separation of government and society from religious influence.
  • Classical Revival: Renewed interest in the art and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome.
  • Nature: Growing appreciation for the natural world.

• Impact on Art: Artists began to explore non-religious subjects and new forms.

#🇫🇷 French Revolution (1789-1799)

• What it was: A revolt against the monarchy and social inequality.
• Causes: Unfair treatment of the Third Estate, food shortages, and economic hardship after the American Revolution.
• Artistic Response:
  • Political messages and symbolism became common in paintings.
  • Rise of Romanticism, which emphasized emotion and the sublime (awe-i...