For most people, artworks are usually divided into categories of classic pieces and contemporary works. It's the difference between a Rembrandt painting and a readymade by Andy Warhol.

However, in the classic art world, there is an entirely different perspective. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, European art was ranked according to the "hierarchy of genres." While modern art is rarely held to this standard, any paintings produced after the Renaissance but before the 20th century were viewed under this critical lens.

The following is a list of the 6 key genres, ranked from most to least valuable in the historical view.

1. History Paintings: History paintings are known for their subject, which depict a scene from a classic narrative (like the Bible or Greek mythology) or a historical event. These paintings were considered the equivalent of an epic poem or tale, with the most potential to move the audience. Famous historical paintings include The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David and Washington Crossing the Delaware by Emanuel Leutze.

2. Portraits: A portrait is focused on a human subject, either as an individual or a small group. Traditionally, only the rich and powerful could afford to commission portraits of themselves, but middle-class patrons and families were able to attain such luxury in more recent centuries. The most famous portrait in the world is the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, but other well-known paintings include the self-portraits of Vincent van Gogh and the famous Ditchley Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I by Marcus Gheerearts the Younger.

3. Genre Paintings: Despite the vague name, a genre painting was usually a representation of scenes from everyday life, like a marketplace or the interior of a home. These paintings were particularly common during the Dutch Golden Age, focusing on ordinary families and servants engaged in their daily activities. Genre paintings include Baby's First Steps by Jean Carolus and The Artist in his Studio by Rembrandt.

4. Landscapes: In the classic definition, a landscape painting depicts natural scenery like trees, rivers, forests, and mountains. However, it's been expanded to include city skylines and other urban settings. Famous landscapes include The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh, Water Lilies by Claude Monet, and The Tree of Crows by Caspar David Friedrich.

5. Animal Paintings: Paintings of animals were usually low on the hierarchy of genres, although they were still appreciated for their decorative value in the homes of wealthy patrons. Famous animal paintings include The Entry of the Animals into Noah's Ark by Jan Brueghel the Elder and A Young Tiger Playing with its Mother by Eugène Delacroix.

6. Still Life: A still life is a painting of everyday objects, with flowers or bowls of fruit being the most popular subjects. While these simple pieces usually gave the artist more freedom than a historical painting or portrait would, critics usually looked down on still life as lacking serious weight. Famous still life paintings include Still Life with Apples, a Pear, and a Ceramic Portrait by Paul Gauguin and Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh.

Image by Robert Huffstutter on Flickr