AP Art History

Advanced Placement Art History exploring global artistic traditions and cultural contexts.

Basic Concepts

Global Artistic Traditions

Art Around the World

Art is a universal language, but its forms, styles, and meanings vary widely across regions.

Major Artistic Traditions

  • African Art: Celebrate intricate masks, textiles, and sculptures that have spiritual and social functions.
  • Asian Art: From Japanese woodblock prints to Indian temple carvings, Asian art shows deep symbolism and craftsmanship.
  • Indigenous Americas: Discover the vibrant murals, pottery, and ceremonial structures of Native American cultures.
  • European Art: Explore the Renaissance, Baroque, and Modernist movements that shaped Western art.

Cultural Exchange

Artistic traditions often blend as cultures interact—through trade, migration, or conquest—leading to exciting innovations in style and technique.

Examples

  • Admiring the Islamic geometric patterns in the Alhambra.

  • Exploring Incan stonework in Machu Picchu.

In a Nutshell

Global artistic traditions reveal the diversity and interconnectedness of human expression.

Global Artistic Traditions - AP Art History Content | Practice Hub