Early art historians emphasized the European tradition, celebrating its Greek and Roman origins and the ideals of academic art. By the mid-20th century, a standard narrative for “Western art” was established that traced its development from the prehistoric, ancient, and medieval Mediterranean to modern Europe and the United States.

Western art history is the study and historical evolution of visual arts such as painting, sculpture, architecture, and other forms of aesthetic expression that have arisen throughout the ages in Western cultures. Here is a quick overview of some critical periods in Western art history: