| Legacy | Architecture • Design • Popular culture |
| Mediums | Murals • Installations • Performances |
| Origins | 1600s, Europe |
| Purpose | Expression of ideas • Advocacy for social change • Beautification of urban spaces |
Street art, the creation of visual art in public spaces, has a rich and complex history in this timeline stretching back centuries rather than the more recent phenomenon it is in our world. While it began as a form of unsanctioned graffiti and vandalism, street art gradually transformed into an officially encouraged and respected artistic tradition across Europe and its colonial empires from the 1600s onward.
The origins of street art can be traced to the 17th and 18th centuries in Europe, where political, religious and social movements increasingly utilized public spaces to spread their messages and ideas. In Catholic countries like Spain and Italy, religious imagery and propaganda were commonly painted on the walls of churches, monasteries and other buildings. Meanwhile, in Protestant regions like the Netherlands and England, anti-establishment groups expressed their views through provocative political graffiti and posters.
Much of this early street art was crude, spontaneous and intended as a form of protest or provocation. However, by the 1700s, a more sophisticated tradition of public murals, frescoes and trompe-l'oeil paintings began to emerge, often commissioned by civic authorities and nobility to beautify urban environments and communicate messages of power. Prominent early street artists included Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Banksy of Brussels, and Juana Inés de la Cruz.
As European colonial empires expanded across the globe, the tradition of street art traveled with them. In the Americas, Africa, and Asia, indigenous artists blended local styles and symbolism with the techniques introduced by their European overlords. Murals depicting mythological figures, historical events, and scenes of daily life became common sights in cities under colonial rule.
Particularly notable examples include the Aztec Murals of New Spain, the Yoruba wall paintings of West Africa, and the Balinese temple art of the Dutch East Indies. In many cases, colonial rulers sought to co-opt and channel street art as a means of propaganda and social control, resulting in a fusion of official and grassroots influences.
Over the 19th and early 20th centuries, the status of street art gradually evolved from deviant vandalism to an accepted and even encouraged form of public expression and beautification. Industrialization and rapid urbanization created a growing demand for murals, public sculptures, and other visual elements to liven up grey cityscapes.
Influential artists like Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo, and Keith Haring helped elevate street art's prestige, blending techniques from easel painting, sculpture, and performance. Governments, businesses, and community organizations increasingly commissioned or sanctioned street art projects, from monumental public works to informal neighborhood murals. Iconic styles like trompe-l'oeil, stencil graffiti, and mosaic became staples of the tradition.
Today, street art remains a vibrant part of the cultural landscape in cities around the world, from historic town squares to modern high-rise districts. It continues to be a medium for political and social commentary, community engagement, and creative self-expression. Street artists draw inspiration from a rich legacy of techniques, motifs, and styles that have evolved over centuries.
The influence of street art can be seen everywhere, from building facades and sidewalks to product design, corporate branding, and high fashion. Its visual language has become an integral part of contemporary popular culture, and many street artists have achieved mainstream fame and recognition. The tradition seems poised to endure and evolve as a dynamic form of public art for generations to come.
