Art_History

Art History Out with the Old, In with the New Throughout the vast history of art, emperors have disregarded traditions and started new styles of art in their respected time. Great emperors not only changed the way art was depicted, but altered the mind-set of the society. Two such great leaders are Akhenaton and Constantine. Both are from different eras, yet the transformation in religions is what greatly influenced art of their time periods. The conversion from polytheism to monotheism played a huge role in Akhenaton’s revolutionary art style. On the other hand, Constantine’s decision to make Christianity the state religion of the Roman Empire had a profound impact on Roman Art and ultimately Christian Art. (Janson, 199) Akhenaton and Constantine both made profound influences in art, but Constantine effects in architecture can still be seen today. Before Akhenaton’s era, Egyptian society believed in polytheism§. The art of Ancient Egypt fell into three main periods – The Old, Middle, and New. During most of this time, art endlessly depicts a highly religious and traditionalist society. Sculpture and painting are highly stylized, following strict conventions and using symbols of religion centered on the afterlife and art, constantine, egyptian, christianity, time, religion, akhenaton, akhenaton’s, society, polytheism, influence, state, roman, new, janson, history, great, figure, empire, both, architecture, three, radical, old, monotheism, made, influenced, era, different, changed, cathedrals, buildings, armana, years, worship