Painting is one of the most popular forms of art. Painting has developed over the centuries, and over time several types have emerged in it: easel, monumental, decorative and miniature painting.
Easel painting is the most popular type
Most of the paintings you see are easel paintings. This term means that the paintings were painted on a special machine - an easel. They can be framed, hung on the wall, or presented as a gift. In other words, easel painting is a painting painted on a flat background: paper, canvas, blackboard. In this type of painting, works painted in oils prevail, but there are also paintings in which other materials are used - gouache and watercolor, pastel, ink, charcoal, acrylic paints, colored pencils, etc.
One of the applied types of easel painting is theatrical and decorative painting - sketches of costumes for heroes and mise-en-scenes.
Monumental painting - painting of buildings
Monumental painting cannot exist separately from the place where it is performed. This type of painting was very popular in the 16-19 centuries, when magnificent temples were built, and the best artists painted their vaults. The most common type of monumental painting is fresco, painting with water paints on wet plaster.
Painting on dry plaster - secco was also widespread, but such works have been worse preserved to our times. The most famous example of monumental painting is the large-scale painting of the Sistine Chapel, in which Michelangelo took part. According to critics, the chapel's frescoes can be equated with the Eighth Wonder of the World.
The most ancient works of monumental painting are rock paintings of the first people.
Decorative painting - applied arts
Decorative painting is closely related to decorative and applied art. She plays rather a supporting role in the decoration of various objects. Decorative painting is a variety of patterns and ornaments that adorn household items, furniture, architecture. The authors of this type of painting may be unknown - simple paintings of peasant houses and furniture also belong to this type.
Miniature painting - cute little things
Initially, miniature painting was the art of book design. The old books were made with great care and were very expensive. To decorate them, special craftsmen were hired, who beautifully decorated the capital letters, covers and headpieces between chapters. Such publications were a real work of art. There were several schools that adhered to the strict canons of miniature painting.
Later, any small-scale paintings were called miniatures. They were used as souvenirs and keepsakes. Despite its small size, this type of painting required great precision and skill. The most popular materials for souvenir miniatures were wood, bone, stone, and plaques.
