Light Art

Detail a 13th century window from Chartres Cathedral
One the first artistic uses light is the way in which stained glass can be used to color transmitted light, examples this goes back to the 4th century. Most prominently seen in churches and mosques with elaborate stained glass windows.
Another use light in art is in shadow puppetry, where projections shadows from puppets can be used to create the illusion moving images. A form shadow puppetry is described as early as 380 BC by Plato in the Allegory the cave.
All visual art cause use light in some form, but in modern times photography and motion pictures, use light is especially important. However, with the invention electrical artificial light, the possibilities were expanded and many artists began using the light as the main form expression instead just a vehicle for other forms art.