The earliest phases of art reflect humanity’s attempt to record experiences and communicate through visual marks. Cave paintings, carved bones, and early decorative objects were created with practical, ritual, or symbolic purposes rather than aesthetic intentions. These objects formed the groundwork for later visual conventions.
As communities developed permanent settlements, artistic production expanded into pottery, weaving, and early architectural forms. These artifacts show how visual language gradually shifted from survival-related symbolism to expressions of social identity. The consistency of recurring motifs suggests the beginning of structured visual communication.
Religious, political, and aristocratic institutions historically held significant control over artistic output. They commissioned artworks to reinforce authority, communicate ideology, or demonstrate wealth. This created an environment where artistic themes often mirrored institutional priorities.
Because of this patronage system, many stylistic conventions became standardized. Rulers were depicted with specific attributes, religious figures were represented according to strict guidelines, and monumental structures followed symbolic architectural rules. These conditions shaped not only how art looked but how it functioned within society.
When art history became an academic field, early scholars emphasized stylistic analysis, classification, and attribution. Their work created timelines and genealogies of influence, which remain foundational for identifying artistic evolution. However, this method tended to separate artworks from their broader context.