TIMELINE (USA)

TIMELINE (USA)

Evolution of the Art and Architecture in the United States (18th century)

Architecture

Georgian Style (1750)

Colonial Portraiture (1768)

Art

TIMELINE (USA)

Evolution of the Art and Architecture in the United States (19th century)

Architecture

Gothic Revival(1846)

Hudson River School(1836)

Art

TIMELINE (USA)

Evolution of the Art and Architecture in the United States (20th century)

Architecture

Modernist Skyscraper(1958)

Abstract Expressionism(1948)

Art

TIMELINE (USA)

Evolution of the Art and Architecture in the United States (21st century)

Architecture

Deconstructivism(2003)

Contemporary (Social Commentary) (2016)

Art

• Example: Westover Plantation, Charles City, Virginia

• Architect: Attributed to William Byrd II
• Period: c. 1750

This is an example of Georgian architecture, it is characterized for its symmetry, brick construction and some decorations like the chymneys on the roof. It represents the ideals of the British colonies.

Art: Colonial Portraiture

Example: Paul Revere Artist: John Singleton Copley Year: 1768

• John Singleton Copley is considered the most outstanding portraitist of colonial America. The work not only demonstrates great technical skill, but also reflects a growing sense of pride in American craftsmanship, thus distancing itself from the purely aristocratic themes that dominated European art of the time.

Art: Hudson River School

Example: The Oxbow Artist: Thomas Cole Year: 1836

• A masterpiece of the Hudson River School, this painting contrasts wild nature with settled land. It symbolizes American ideals of exploration, Manifest Destiny, and the sublime power of the untamed landscape.

Architecture: Gothic Revival

Example: Trinity Church, New YorkArchitect: Richard Upjohn Period: 1846

This church is a landmark of the Gothic Revival style, which rejected cold classicism for the romantic, vertical forms of medieval Europe. Its pointed arches, stained glass, and stone construction evoked spirituality and historical connection.

Architecture: Modernist Skyscraper

Example: Seagram Building, New York Architect: Ludwig Mies van der Rohe & Philip Johnson Year: 1958

• An icon of the International Style and corporate modernism. It is celebrated for its minimalist bronze and glass facade, elegant plaza, and the principle "less is more." It set the standard for skyscrapers worldwide.

Art: Abstract Expressionism

Example: Number 17A Artist: Jackson Pollock Year: 1948

• Created with Pollock's revolutionary "drip technique," this work embodies Abstract Expressionism. It shifted the art world's focus from Paris to New York, emphasizing raw emotion, gesture, and the physical act of painting over recognizable subjects.

Architecture: Deconstructivism

Example: Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Architect: Frank Gehry Year: 2003

• A landmark of Deconstructivist architecture, the building's swooping, stainless steel curves defy traditional geometric forms. It is a symbol of artistic innovation and reflects the use of computer-aided design to create complex, sculptural structures.

Art: Contemporary (Social Commentary)

Example: Open Casket Artist: Dana Schutz Year: 2016

• This painting, based on the photograph of Emmett Till's funeral, sparked intense debate about race, representation, and the role of art. It exemplifies how contemporary art in the 21st century often engages directly with difficult social and political issues.