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A History of Graffiti
June 12, 2014 by MuffyMarracco everywhere from city streets to high school hallways. Graffiti can run the gamut from hastily scribbled tags of someone’s street name to carefully thought-out art that critiques contemporary society.
The word graffiti comes from the Italian language. “Graffiti” is actually the plural of the word “graffito.” They are both derived from the word graffio, which means “a scratch.” The original graffiti was scratched into the surface, not just painted. Ultimately, the word is derived from Greek – graphein – meaning to write, draw, or scratch. (This gives us the common word root –graph.)
Graffiti was first labeled as such in 1851 in reference to ancient inscriptions etched into the walls – that is, “scratches” – of the ruins of the city of Pompeii. The definition has since expanded to include all sorts of public art, from hastily made drawings to elaborately executed street art.
Learn how to draw graffiti with this course.
Cave Paintings and Graffiti
Artistic expression – especially on the surfaces around us – seems to be a very old human impulse. There are instances of art dating back as far as human history goes. The earliest art – which some might call graffiti – dates back to the Paleolithic era.
The Paleolithic – or “Old Stone Age” – is the earliest era of human existence, when stone tools were used and humans took shelter in caves. This era started with the first people at an uncertain date in the distant past. The Old Stone Age continued until about 10,000 years ago. During that period, even these early humans expressed themselves artistically.
These people painted animals and abstract shapes onto the walls of their caves. The paintings’ meaning remains uncertain. Perhaps these early artists were invoking natural powers to bring about a successful hunting expedition. Perhaps they were part of a religious ceremony. Art historians debate their meaning.
Learn more about art history with this online
June 12, 2014 by MuffyMarracco everywhere from city streets to high school hallways. Graffiti can run the gamut from hastily scribbled tags of someone’s street name to carefully thought-out art that critiques contemporary society.
The word graffiti comes from the Italian language. “Graffiti” is actually the plural of the word “graffito.” They are both derived from the word graffio, which means “a scratch.” The original graffiti was scratched into the surface, not just painted. Ultimately, the word is derived from Greek – graphein – meaning to write, draw, or scratch. (This gives us the common word root –graph.)
Graffiti was first labeled as such in 1851 in reference to ancient inscriptions etched into the walls – that is, “scratches” – of the ruins of the city of Pompeii. The definition has since expanded to include all sorts of public art, from hastily made drawings to elaborately executed street art.
Learn how to draw graffiti with this course.
Cave Paintings and Graffiti
Artistic expression – especially on the surfaces around us – seems to be a very old human impulse. There are instances of art dating back as far as human history goes. The earliest art – which some might call graffiti – dates back to the Paleolithic era.
The Paleolithic – or “Old Stone Age” – is the earliest era of human existence, when stone tools were used and humans took shelter in caves. This era started with the first people at an uncertain date in the distant past. The Old Stone Age continued until about 10,000 years ago. During that period, even these early humans expressed themselves artistically.
These people painted animals and abstract shapes onto the walls of their caves. The paintings’ meaning remains uncertain. Perhaps these early artists were invoking natural powers to bring about a successful hunting expedition. Perhaps they were part of a religious ceremony. Art historians debate their meaning.
Learn more about art history with this online