why study art history essay

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Why Study Art History? Awesome Ways It Can Impact Your Life

Updated: July 15, 2022

Published: May 16, 2020

Art history is all about knowing where we come from and where we’ve been, from the perspective of works of art. Art history is also about knowing how art has changed over time. Both of which are more relevant than you think. Why study art history? Let’s count the many reasons.

Art Vs. Artifact: What Is Art History?

It’s an excellent question — what makes something art , and what makes something an artifact? Furthermore, what separates an artist from an artisan? The answers may lie in the study of art history.

Some say art is made of creativity, originality, or imagination. Art historians say that art is visually striking, and blends beauty and culture.

Studying art is to look at a piece of art and see the artist’s use of lines, shape, composition, tecture, and approach, and to make inferences about their intentions and meaning.

Art history is looking at those same aspects, throughout periods of history, to learn more about a certain time period or peoples.

Photo by  Aaron J  on  Unsplash

Why study art history.

So, why study art history, you ask? So many reasons!

1. Every Picture Has A Story

Learning about art history can be fun, and the most fun part about it is uncovering the story behind the art piece. Looking at a picture, performance, or physical object, you get to be a detective searching for meaning behind what you see in front of you. You get to find the story behind the picture.

2. There’s More To Art History Than You Think

Many people think of art history as just memorizing old paintings from the 15th century. That is not the case! Art is much more than just paintings. In art history, you study all types of art — from film, to media, landscaping, ceramics, arms and armour, furniture, fashion and jewelry, photography, performances, and more.

Photo by  Tim Gouw  on  Unsplash

3. art history strengthens your skills.

There is so much more to art history than just memorizing names, dates, and images. Studying art history makes you become a master of visual analysis, written communication, and critical thinking. There is plenty of writing in art history as well, and you may become an expert writer and communicator if you study art history.

4. We Live In A Visual World

In today’s world, everything is visual — just think of how much of your day is spent looking at a computer, tablet, television, or phone screen. We are processing images, both moving and still, all day long. Everyone is shifting from verbal thinking to visual thinking, and art history is one of the best ways to prepare for this, and succeed in this new visual world.

5. Art History Is Your History

True, we are all part of the human race, so any piece of art created by humans is technically our history. But beyond that, make art history your own by studying more about the art history that came specifically from your culture or your ancestors. You’ll gain a deeper understanding of your past and your present self if you can connect to art works of your people’s past.

6. Making Sense Of The Past

Studying art history helps us to make sense of the past. Art shows us what was important and valuable over time from depictions within the art itself. Equally important, we learn what aspects of life were significant for certain cultures over time.

For example, we can find great European paintings from certain periods of time, beautiful African masks from other cultures and times, and econic gold jewelry from Central and South America. Each has their own explanation of the time period they were made in.

Photo by  Monika Braskon  on  Unsplash

What does it mean to study art history.

Well, it certainly doesn’t mean spending time in old museums or with hundreds of flashcards, as you may have thought. Getting a degree in art history usually means you also have a choice of specialization in areas such as performing arts, literature or music. You will study all things art, and how art changes over history. To study art history, you also need to have a background in philosophy, language arts, and other social sciences.

What Are The Benefits Of Studying Art History?

Incorporating so many fields such as history, economics, anthropology, political science, design, and aesthetics means that you reap many benefits of studying this discipline. By studying art history, you learn to draw conclusions, make inferences, argue a point, and increase your skills such as critical thinking , visual comprehension, and written communication.

What Can We Learn From Works Of The Past?

Art gives us clues to what life was like in the past. Just by identifying an art piece’s colors, materials, and symbolism, we can learn about the culture and time period that created it. We can learn what was important to those people, and how they wanted these importances to be remembered.

Looking at art from the past by studying art history can contribute to who we are as a people today. We can look at what has been done before us, and are able to view the world today with more complete perspectives and better understanding.

The Bottom Line

Why study art history? Art history tells a story, and studying art means you get to uncover the past. Not only can art history be fun and rewarding, but you’ll improve your critical thinking skills, and learn so much along the way.

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Home Blog Why is Art History Important? 12 Key Lessons 

Why is Art History Important? 12 Key Lessons 

December 8, 2023

Contributing Author: Dr. James Hutson

31 mins read

What comes to mind when you hear the term "Art History"? Perhaps you envision iconic works like the  Mona Lisa  or the  frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.  Maybe your imagination leans more contemporary, bringing up associations with Dan Brown novels or the latest auction at Sotheby's. Regardless, art history offers us far more than a collection of "greatest hits" or objects of market value; it provides a panoramic view of humanity itself, a timeline textured with the very fibers of human experience. 

The History of Art History

Art history as a discipline has its own colorful past, rich with its own set of pioneers and landmark moments. One might start the journey with Giorgio Vasari, an Italian painter and architect, who wrote biographies of famous artists in his seminal work  Lives of the Artists   in the 16th century. Fast-forward to the 18th century and we encounter Johann Winckelmann, often hailed as the father of art history. He shifted the discipline towards scientific rigor and the understanding of art within its historical context, catalyzed in part by the archaeological excavations of  Herculaneum and Pompeii.  These unearthed cities, frozen in time by the ash of Mount Vesuvius, offered a tangible link to antiquity and ignited a fascination with the art and culture of the past. 

By the 19th century, art history became institutionalized in German universities, moving from the realm of personal inquiry and connoisseurship to an academic discipline. This trend later crossed the Atlantic, finding a home in universities across the United States, shaping the study of art history into the multi-faceted field we know today.

And what a multi-faceted field it is! Art history didn't just sprout from a singular interest in visual artifacts. It's an interdisciplinary mecca that integrates elements of history, sociology, connoisseurship, archaeology, and even philosophy and psychology; it extends across multiple domains, providing a holistic understanding of artworks within the fabric of the societies that produced them.

So, as we prepare to explore the 12 key lessons that make art history an indispensable realm of study, let's keep in mind that we're not just talking about pictures on a wall or statues in a museum. We're delving into a discipline that captures the essence of humanity, one that has been shaped by a tapestry of influences as diverse and complex as the artworks it studies. Are you ready to dive in?

1. The Culture Canvas: Unveiling Identity Through Art

Here we explore how art is not just a product of culture but an influencer as well. Understanding art can serve as a gateway to comprehending the values, norms, and practices of different civilizations. For instance, when gazing upon an artwork, be it a delicate  Japanese ukiyo-e print  or the vibrant geometric patterns of an  African kente cloth , we're not just observing colors, shapes, and forms; we're diving deep into a narrative – a tale that speaks of traditions, beliefs, societal norms, and historical events. Each piece of art stands as a sentinel, guarding the stories of the civilization it stems from, allowing us to catch a glimpse of its cultural soul.

Renaissance Reflections: The Mirrors of European Soul

Journey now to Renaissance Europe, a period marked by a fervent revival of art, science, and intellect, bridging the gap between the medieval and modern eras.

The Last Supper - A Feast for the Eyes and Soul

Leonardo da Vinci's  The Last Supper  is not just a religious depiction of Jesus Christ's final meal with his disciples. It’s a cultural emblem of its time. Set in the refectory of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie in Milan, this masterpiece goes beyond its religious significance.

Look closely, and you'll see the careful play of light and shadow, the meticulous detailing of human expressions, and the geometric precision that structures the entire scene. Leonardo's choice to capture the exact moment when Jesus reveals that one of his disciples will betray him showcases not just his artistic brilliance but also the intellectual spirit of the Renaissance. The astonishment, despair, and confusion depicted in each disciple's reaction are a testament to the era's emphasis on individualism, human emotion, and realism.

Furthermore, the use of linear perspective, with all orthogonal lines converging on Christ, underlines the union of art and science, a hallmark of the Renaissance period. This artwork isn't just a religious scene; it’s a snapshot of European culture during the 15th century, embodying its values, its newfound methodologies, and its inexorable drive towards realism and human-centric narratives.

Through  The Last Supper , we see a Europe on the cusp of change, moving from the shackles of the medieval era to the enlightening waves of modernity. It's a vivid reminder that Western art, much like its global counterparts, serves as a cultural compass, guiding us through the annals of history, one brushstroke at a time. 

The Delicate Dance of Indian Miniatures

But looking globally, art history is able to tell us so much about other cultures. Consider the intricate  miniatures from India . These dainty, detailed paintings often narrate tales from ancient epics, royal court life, or even the delicate nuances of nature. But they do more than just tell a story. The radiant hues, the meticulous details of clothing, and the ornate backgrounds reveal a culture that values detail, storytelling, and the interplay of nature and humans. Through these miniatures, we not only see the scenes they depict but also grasp the values of the bygone  Mughal or Rajput courts.

The Resounding Echoes of Australian Aboriginal Art

Shift your gaze to the mesmerizing dot paintings of  Australian Aboriginal art . At first glance, they might seem like abstract patterns, but these art forms are, in reality, topographical maps, ancestral tales, and spiritual stories. The repetitive use of dots and earthly colors paints a picture of a culture deeply rooted in its land and legends. Each artwork is not just an aesthetic endeavor but a testament to the timeless bond between the Aboriginal people and the Australian terrain.

The Majestic Totems of the Pacific Northwest

Now, journey to the Pacific Northwest, where the indigenous peoples craft  towering totem poles.  These aren't merely grand sculptures but layered narratives carved in wood. Every figure, whether it's an eagle, bear, or mythical being, holds significance, representing ancestry, history, and clan legends. The very act of erecting a totem pole is a communal endeavor, underscoring the culture's emphasis on community, nature, and spirituality.

These examples reinforce the notion that art is more than aesthetic pleasure. It's a window into the heart of cultures, a guide to the values and beliefs that shape civilizations. Through art, we unravel the rich tapestry of humanity, appreciating the unique threads that each culture weaves into this grand design. Whether you're an art aficionado or a curious observer, remember that behind every artwork lies a story, waiting to be told and understood. So, the next time you encounter a piece of art from a far-off land or a bygone era, pause and reflect, for you're about to embark on a journey into the very soul of a culture.

2. Emoticon of the Ages: Art as Humanity's Emotional Diary

How has art captured the collective emotional psyche across time? This section delves into how artworks serve as emotional touchstones, revealing the feelings and moods of different epochs.

Art has always been the voice of the silent, the expression of the inexpressible, and the visible form of the invisible. Across continents and centuries, it has faithfully chronicled the ever-evolving tapestry of human emotion, acting as a barometer for societal moods, collective fears, shared joys, and common dreams. Like an age-old diary filled with vibrant sketches, poignant colors, and soul-stirring narratives, art captures the heartbeat of humanity across eras. 

The Somber Hues of The Dutch Golden Age

Journey back to 17th-century Netherlands, a period marked by great maritime and economic power but also political turmoil and socio-religious tensions. Artists like Johannes Vermeer and Rembrandt captured this duality beautifully. In paintings such as  Girl with a Pearl Earring  or  The Night Watch,  we witness a silent introspection and a deep contemplation. The play of light and shadow isn't just a technical achievement; it's an emotional dance, highlighting the juxtaposition of wealth and uncertainty, power and vulnerability.

Passion and Rebellion in Romanticism 

Fast forward to the late 18th and early 19th century, and you'll find yourself in the embrace of Romanticism. Artists like Francisco Goya and Eugène Delacroix painted not just scenes but emotions.  Goya's  The Third of May 1808  isn't merely a depiction of the Spanish resistance to the Napoleonic regimes; it's a raw, unfiltered scream of despair, sacrifice, and defiance. The stark contrasts, the horrified faces, and the looming darkness encapsulate the pain and passion of a nation in turmoil.

Modern Angst and the Scream

No discussion on art as an emotional diary would be complete without  Edvard Munch's  The Scream.  This iconic late nineteenth-century piece is more than a painting; it's an emotion manifested. The swirling skies, the distorted figure, and the haunting ambiance capture the anxiety, alienation, and existential dread of the modern age. At a time of rapid industrialization, urbanization, and societal change, Munch's masterpiece echoed the collective unease and dislocation many felt.

Art, in its myriad forms, serves as an emotional anchor, allowing us to feel, reflect upon, and understand the deep-seated emotions of epochs gone by. It's a mirror reflecting not just individual faces but the collective soul of society. Through it, we journey across the emotional landscapes of history, touching the joys, sorrows, hopes, and fears of generations past. As we stand before an artwork, we're not just spectators; we're time travelers, empathetically connected to the heartbeats of artists and societies from ages past.

3. Brushstrokes and Microscopes: Where Art and Science Converge

Innovation is not exclusive to the laboratory. Artists often pioneer techniques that echo scientific discoveries and technological innovations. This interconnection is the focus of this section.

Art and science, often perceived as polar opposites, are, in truth, two sides of the same coin. Both are driven by an insatiable curiosity, a desire to explore, understand, and represent the world around us. While one uses brushstrokes, the other employs microscopes, yet their trajectories often intersect, revealing astonishing synergies. The convergence of these disciplines has given birth to some of the most groundbreaking achievements in human history.

Renaissance and the Perfect Proportions

Perhaps no era exemplifies the marriage of art and science better than the Renaissance. Leonardo da Vinci, a polymath, blurred the lines between artist and scientist. His anatomical sketches, based on detailed dissections, brought an unprecedented accuracy and vitality to his paintings. Consider his masterpiece,  the  Vitruvian Man .  Here, art and anatomy meld to illustrate the ideal human proportions, echoing both the aesthetics of classical art and the precision of scientific observation.

The Play of Light: Impressionism meets Physics

Fast forward to the 19th century. The Impressionists, with their fascination for capturing fleeting moments, turned their eyes to the changing quality of light. Artists like Monet began experimenting with color, trying to represent how natural light interacts with objects at different times of the day. This artistic endeavor paralleled the scientific explorations of the time, as physicists dissected light's properties, leading to discoveries about its spectrum and wave nature.  Monet's  Haystacks  series , portraying the same subject under various lighting conditions, can be seen as a visual representation of these scientific revelations.

The Digital Art Revolution: Pixels and Programs

In our contemporary age, the bond between art and science is perhaps most evident in the realm of digital art. Advances in computer technology and software development have given artists tools that would have seemed like magic just a few decades ago.  Generative art,  where algorithms dictate patterns, and virtual reality art installations, are just a few examples of how coding and artistic creativity come together to redefine the boundaries of expression.

The intertwining of art and science reminds us that human ingenuity knows no bounds. When brush meets beaker, and canvas converges with code, the results are nothing short of revolutionary. This synergy underscores a fundamental truth: our most profound achievements often arise when diverse fields of study intersect, illuminating our world in ways previously unimagined. In the dance of brushstrokes and microscopes, we see a testament to humanity's boundless capacity for innovation and creativity.

4. Canvas as Protest Sign: The Activism in Art

Art isn't always about beauty; it often serves to highlight social and political issues. From  Picasso's  Guernica  to  Banksy's street art , we look at how art can be a potent vehicle for change.

Throughout history, the art world has been a tempestuous stage where societal issues play out in color, form, and imagery. Beyond ornate frames and prestigious galleries, art becomes a formidable force when it transforms into a medium for activism. It speaks, protests, and sometimes shouts, challenging conventions and questioning societal norms. When art wears the cloak of activism, it becomes a catalyst for social change, awakening consciousness and mobilizing public opinion.

The Cries from Guernica

When the town of Guernica in Spain was bombed in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, it wasn't just a tragedy; it was a brutal assault on civilians. Pablo Picasso responded to this atrocity not with words, but with brushstrokes. His mural-sized painting, "Guernica," is a chaotic panorama of anguish. The distorted figures, the agonized horse, and the fallen warrior serve as a poignant critique of the horrors of war. Every stroke serves as a cry against fascism, violence, and human suffering.  Picasso's  Guernica  is more than a painting; it's a political statement, a protest, and a reminder of the cost of war.

Banksy's Walls of Awareness

In stark contrast to the grandeur of Picasso's murals, Banksy, the elusive street artist, uses the urban landscape as his canvas. With a unique blend of satire, dark humor, and stark imagery, Banksy's works tackle issues ranging from war and corruption to consumerism and poverty. Whether it's a  girl letting go of a balloon in the shape of a heart or a  protester throwing a bouquet  instead of a Molotov cocktail, Banksy turns street corners into platforms for social commentary. His art isn't locked behind museum doors; it's out in the open, urging passersby to stop, think, and hopefully, act.

The AIDS Quilt: Stitching Stories of Loss

Art activism isn't confined to paintings alone.  The NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt  is a poignant example of how art can be a collective effort to mourn, remember, and protest. Launched in 1987, this quilt is a patchwork of thousands of individual panels, each commemorating a life lost to AIDS. Each square, lovingly stitched with names, dates, and personal symbols, stands as a testament to a life lost and the collective negligence of a society slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. Displayed in its entirety on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the quilt became both a memorial and a potent call for more aggressive research, care, and understanding.

From large-scale paintings to guerrilla street art, and from quilts to sculptures, art's role as a voice of protest is undeniable. It not only reflects the world but also challenges and reshapes it. In its most activist form, art disrupts, questions, and compels us to confront uncomfortable truths, reminding us that beauty isn't just in aesthetics but also in the courage to demand change.

5. A Tapestry of Knowledge: Art in the Interdisciplinary Nexus

Can a painting be a historical document? Is a poem connected to a sculpture? This section elaborates on how art history is intertwined with literature, history, and other disciplines, creating a rich, interconnected web of knowledge.

In the vast universe of academia, subjects and disciplines are often likened to stars, each shining brightly in its own right. But just as stars form constellations, academic disciplines interconnect, creating patterns that tell a larger story. Art, with its vibrant strokes and intricate details, serves as a thread weaving through these constellations, binding them into a grand tapestry of interconnected knowledge.

Paintings as Pages of History

Consider Jacques-Louis David's iconic painting,  The Death of Socrates.  At first glance, it's a dramatic portrayal of the Athenian philosopher's final moments. But delve deeper, and you find a rich chronicle of the sociopolitical atmosphere of both ancient Athens and post-revolutionary France. The painting isn't merely an artistic representation; it's a bridge between art and history, inviting discussions on democracy, martyrdom, and political ethics.

The Romantic Movement: Where Poems Meet Paintings

The Romantic era, flourishing in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, saw a profound intermingling of art and literature. Wordsworth's poetic landscapes find echoes in Turner's ethereal paintings. Mary Shelley's  Frankenstein  and  Henry Fuseli's  The Nightmare both explore the gothic, the sublime, and the boundaries of human ambition. Here, brushstrokes and pen strokes intertwine, each enhancing and amplifying the other's message.

Mythology in Mosaics: A Window to Ancient Beliefs

Wander through the ruins of ancient Pompeii or the halls of  Istanbul's Hagia Sophia,  and you'll find stunning mosaics depicting gods, goddesses, and mythological tales. These intricate tile works are not just decorative art; they offer insights into the spiritual beliefs, cosmologies, and moral codes of ancient civilizations. Interpreting these mosaics becomes an interdisciplinary journey, merging art history with religious studies and cultural anthropology.

In this multidisciplinary dance, art history emerges as a pivotal partner, gracefully leading its counterparts and enriching the academic waltz. It encourages us to look beyond siloed knowledge, to see the interconnectedness of human endeavors, and to appreciate the nuanced, multifaceted nature of our shared heritage. In the nexus of disciplines, art history stands as a testament to the intertwined nature of human knowledge, reminding us that in unity, there is depth, richness, and unparalleled beauty.

6. Art Without Borders: The Universal Language of Creativity

Art is an international affair, its influence and inspiration often traversing geographical and cultural boundaries. Here, we explore how art serves as a universal language, fostering global communication and understanding.

In a world marked by diverse languages, traditions, and beliefs, there remains one constant: the universal resonance of art. Whether it's a haunting melody from a distant land, the graceful arc of a dancer's leap, or the silent profundity of a painted canvas, art has an innate ability to transcend borders, touch souls, and unite people from all walks of life.

The Silk Road: A Cultural Exchange Beyond Trade

Long before globalization became a buzzword,  the ancient Silk Road  facilitated not just the exchange of goods, but also of ideas, beliefs, and artistic expressions. Chinese silks, Persian miniatures, and Greek sculptures converged and intermingled on this vast network. This wasn't merely a trade route; it was a conduit of cultural dialogue, where a Chinese vase might be inspired by Persian motifs, or a Central Asian tapestry might depict scenes from Greek mythology.

The Global Appeal of Japanese Anime

Venture into the world of contemporary pop culture, and you'll be hard-pressed not to notice the global dominance of Japanese anime. What began as a local art form has now captured imaginations worldwide.  Anime series,  with their intricate plots and unique aesthetics, resonate with audiences from North America to Africa. They foster cross-cultural dialogues, as fans across the world discuss themes, characters, and narratives, united in their shared appreciation.

Biennales and Art Festivals: A Global Artistic Melting Pot

Every two years, cities like Venice, São Paulo, and Istanbul become global art hubs,  hosting biennales  that attract artists and enthusiasts from all corners of the globe. These events are not just exhibitions but vibrant forums for cross-cultural exchange. Artists from varied backgrounds showcase their works, drawing inspiration from and offering insights into their unique cultural contexts. For visitors, it's an opportunity to embark on a global artistic journey, all within the confines of a single city.

Art, in its myriad forms, serves as a bridge, spanning the vast chasms of linguistic, cultural, and geographical differences. It reminds us of our shared human experience, our universal joys and sorrows, dreams and fears. In a world that often emphasizes differences, art stands as a beacon of unity, whispering in its timeless language that, at our core, we are all interconnected strands in the grand tapestry of humanity.

7. Sacred and Profound: Art as a Window into the Spiritual

Whether through the intricate designs of Islamic calligraphy or the iconography in Christian art, this section discusses how art provides keen insights into religious beliefs and philosophical ideals.

Across millennia, in dimly lit caves, soaring cathedrals, and sprawling temples, art has served as both an expression of and a conduit to the divine. Far beyond mere decoration, religious and philosophical art acts as a visual sermon, instructing, inspiring, and inviting introspection. Delving into this spiritual dimension of art offers a panoramic view of humanity's quest for meaning, purpose, and connection with the transcendent.

Calligraphy: Divine Words in Fluid Form

Islamic art, with its prohibition against depicting divine figures, found a unique and profound voice in  calligraphy . Arabic scripts, flowing seamlessly from the nib of a master calligrapher, transform the words of the Quran into visual symphonies. Every curve, dot, and line are imbued with spiritual significance, turning script into sacred art. These intricate designs, whether adorning the walls of a mosque or the pages of a manuscript, serve as a visual reminder of the divine word, drawing believers into contemplation and prayer.

The Iconography of Faith: Christian Art

From the catacombs of Rome to the grandeur of the Sistine Chapel, Christian art has chronicled the faith's evolution, theology, and cultural context. Frescoes, mosaics, and stained-glass windows don't just depict biblical tales; they provide a visual theology, instructing the faithful and narrating the story of salvation. Consider the significance of  Michelangelo's  The Last Judgment  or the  Byzantine icons  with their gold backgrounds symbolizing the divine light. These are not just artistic endeavors but visual catechisms, instructing and elevating the viewer's soul.

The Mandala: Cosmic Maps in Hindu and Buddhist Art

In the spiritual traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism, the  mandala , a geometric configuration of symbols, plays a pivotal role. These intricate designs, often circular, represent the universe, spiritual journeys, and the quest for enlightenment. Whether drawn with colored sand by Tibetan monks or depicted in the sprawling temple carvings of India, mandalas are meditative tools, guiding the believer's focus inward and facilitating spiritual transcendence.

Philosophical Scrolls: East Asian Insights

Beyond religious beliefs, East Asian art, especially within Daoism and Confucianism, often encapsulates profound philosophical ideals. Delicate  Chinese scrolls  depict harmonious landscapes, symbolizing the balance and flow of yin and yang.  Japanese Zen ink paintings , with their minimalist strokes, capture the transient nature of existence and the beauty of the moment, urging viewers towards mindfulness and contemplation.

In every brushstroke, carving, and design, spiritual art serves as a bridge between the human and the divine, the material and the ethereal. It's a testament to humanity's perennial quest for the sacred, guiding eyes and souls towards realms beyond the tangible, into the profound depths of belief, wonder, and awe.

8. The Art Market: A Mirror to Society's Wallet

From the opulent portraits of the Renaissance to the starving artists of the modern age, this section investigates how art often serves as an indicator of a society’s economic condition and social stratification.

Every artwork, from grandiose frescoes to humble sketches, carries an implicit price tag. Beyond mere currency, this value is also steeped in societal context, reflecting prevailing economic conditions, social hierarchies, and even the whims of the elite. Delving into the world of the art market offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate interplay between creativity, commerce, and culture.

Renaissance Splendor: Patronage and Power

The Renaissance period, bursting with artistic fervor, also bore witness to the rise of influential patrons. The  Medici family in Florence,  for example, was not just banking magnates but pivotal art patrons, commissioning works from luminaries like Botticelli and Michelangelo. The artworks they funded, from opulent portraits to magnificent chapels, were as much a demonstration of their wealth and power as they were of artistic brilliance. In such an environment, art became both a reflection of and an instrument for socio-economic dominance.

Starving in the Midst of Abundance: The Bohemian Artist

Fast forward to the 19th-century Parisian art scene. The bohemian artist, a figure both romanticized and pitied, emerges. Painters like  Van Gogh , now celebrated and worth millions, lived in abject poverty, with artworks sometimes bartered for a meal. The art market of the time, controlled by salons and selective patrons, often left avant-garde artists in the lurch. This stark dichotomy between the value of art during an artist's life and posthumously mirrors societal attitudes, market dynamics, and the often unpredictable nature of artistic recognition.

Auction Houses and Contemporary Valuations

Today's art market, dominated by powerful auction houses like Christie's and Sotheby's, often sees artworks fetching astronomical sums. A  Basquiat sold for over $100 million , or a  Banksy self-destructing the moment  it's bought, reveals not just the financial might of modern buyers but also the shifting perceptions of art's value. In a world of billionaires and influencers, art becomes an asset, an investment, and a status symbol.

Art Fairs and the Global Economy

Modern art fairs, from  Art Basel  to Frieze, have transformed the landscape of art commerce. These bustling events, attracting a global clientele, underscore art's role in the globalized economy. They highlight trends, from the rise of Asian markets to the demand for African contemporary art, reflecting broader economic shifts and emerging affluent classes in various regions.

Peeling back the layers of the art market is akin to embarking on an anthropological expedition. It offers insights into societal values, economic priorities, and the ever-evolving dance between creativity and commerce. In the shimmer of gold leaf or the starkness of a charcoal sketch, we find reflections of society's wallet, its aspirations, and its disparities.

9. From Viewer to Virtuoso: Art as Empowerment

This section underscores the personal aspect of art, detailing how the process of creating and interpreting art can empower individuals, offering them a medium for expression and self-discovery.

At its core, art is a deeply personal experience. It's a silent conversation between the creator and the viewer, an exchange imbued with emotions, ideas, and revelations. Beyond its societal or economic implications, art has the profound power to transform individuals, granting them agency, voice, and a canvas – literal or metaphorical – upon which they can paint their truths.

A Voice Against Silence

Art has often served as a beacon for the marginalized, the oppressed, and those whose voices have been stifled. For instance, during the  Harlem Renaissance , African American artists like Jacob Lawrence used their works to depict the struggles and triumphs of their community, challenging racial prejudices and societal norms. For such artists, each artwork is not just an expression, but a declaration of identity, resilience, and resistance.

Community Murals: Collective Creation

Venture into the streets of cities worldwide, and you might encounter  vibrant community murals . These are not just decorative; they're collaborative efforts, often involving local residents. The process of conceptualizing and creating these murals fosters community bonds, offers a sense of belonging, and instills local pride. Every brushstroke becomes a testament to collective identity and shared experiences.

Art's power lies not just in its beauty or its ability to fetch high prices at auctions. Its true strength resides in its capacity to touch souls, to provide a platform where emotions can be poured, stories can be narrated, and voices – often silent or overlooked – can be amplified. From the solitary painter in a quiet studio to the bustling community around a mural, art empowers, elevates, and enlightens, reminding us of our shared humanity and the boundless potential within each of us.

10. Beyond Words: The Skill of Seeing in the Digital Age

In our world swamped with visual information, understanding art contributes to a broader "visual literacy." This section discusses how the study of art equips us with the skills to interpret and analyze visual data in various contexts.

In today's hyper-connected era, we are inundated with images - from social media feeds and news outlets to digital advertising and cinematic visuals. This relentless stream of pictures and graphics requires us to be adept in navigating, understanding, and even critiquing these visual narratives. Just as traditional literacy grants us the skills to comprehend and dissect textual information, visual literacy – an ability refined by studying art – equips us to decode the visual language of our digital age.

The Language of Imagery

Art, at its essence, is a visual language. It communicates through symbols, colors, forms, and compositions. A study of art history, for example, might reveal how the color blue was used in medieval paintings to denote divinity or how the interplay of light and shadow in Baroque art evokes drama and tension. These nuances in visual elements provide the foundational vocabulary and grammar for the broader language of imagery prevalent in our digital world.

Media Literacy in the Age of Fake News

In an era marked by manipulated images, deepfakes, and misinformation, the ability to critically analyze visual content becomes paramount. Art education, with its emphasis on observation, analysis, and interpretation, primes individuals to discern subtle alterations, recognize biases, and understand the intent behind visual presentations. By studying the techniques artists employ to convey their messages, viewers become more adept at identifying manipulation techniques used in modern media.

Infographics and Data Visualization: The Art of Information

With the surge in big data and the need to present complex information accessibly, data visualization has emerged as a vital field. At its heart, this discipline borrows heavily from art. The effective use of colors, balance, contrast, and hierarchy in infographics mirrors principles honed by artists over centuries. Understanding art, in this context, enhances our ability to interpret these visual data presentations accurately and appreciate the aesthetics of information.

The Instagram Paradigm: Crafting Narratives in a Visual World

Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest have transformed storytelling from a textual to a visual medium. Here, a well-composed photograph or a strategically arranged feed tells a story, builds a brand, or sets a mood. Art education offers insights into composition, color theory, and visual harmony, skills that are increasingly crucial in crafting compelling digital narratives.

In the vast, swirling ocean of digital visuals, art serves as our compass. It gives us the tools to navigate, the skills to interpret, and the wisdom to discern. Visual literacy, bolstered by an understanding of art, isn't just an academic exercise; it's a vital skill, ensuring we remain informed, discerning, and engaged citizens in our increasingly visual world.

11. Time’s Palette: Art as Historical Ledger

Historians aren't the only ones who document events; artists do too. This section highlights how art serves as a valuable historical record, capturing the essence of eras, memorializing events, and portraying influential figures.

While pages of history books chronicle events with precision and detail, artworks capture the spirit, essence, and emotion of those moments in time. Through the brushstrokes of painters, the chisel marks of sculptors, and the discerning eyes of photographers, we gain unique insights into bygone eras, understanding not just the what, but the why and the how. Art offers a vivid, visceral look into the past, transforming history from mere facts to lived experiences.

Capturing Epochs: The Spirit of an Age

Every art movement, from the grandiosity of Baroque to the disillusionment of Postmodernism, reflects the zeitgeist of its period. The  opulence of Rococo art  mirrors the excesses of 18th-century European aristocracy, while the starkness and  simplicity of Minimalism  echo the disillusionment and skepticism of the late 20th century. Through these styles and movements, we perceive the broader socio-cultural currents of their respective epochs.

Moments Immortalized: Art and Events

Certain artworks become indelible markers of historical events. Think of Jacques-Louis David's  The Death of Marat , capturing a pivotal moment of the French Revolution, or  Picasso's Guernica , a haunting response to the bombings during the Spanish Civil War. These aren't just paintings; they're visual testimonies, immortalizing moments of upheaval, triumph, or tragedy, making them palpable for future generations.

Portraits of the Past: The People Who Shaped History

From pharaohs immortalized in grand statues to the candid shots of modern leaders, art has always played a role in documenting influential figures. A portrait does more than just depict a face; it offers a glimpse into the personality, the demeanor, and often the power dynamics of its time. Whether it's the regal aura of  Tudor monarchs in Holbein's works  or the raw, unfiltered essence of  Frida Kahlo's self-portraits , these visual records provide personal insights into the lives of those who shaped history.

Everyday Eternity: Glimpses into Daily Life

Beyond grand events and influential figures, art also chronicles the everyday – the mundane, the routine, the ordinary.  Dutch Golden Age paintings , for instance, give us insights into 17th-century domestic life, from the interiors of homes to the food on tables. These snapshots of daily life, while often overlooked, are invaluable in understanding societal structures, cultural norms, and daily routines of the past.

Art, in its myriad forms, serves as a vibrant, evocative historical ledger. It breathes life into dates, animates events, and humanizes historical figures, ensuring that while times change, the essence of past epochs remains forever etched in color, form, and texture for future generations to behold and understand.

12. The Healing Brush: Art as Therapy

Lastly, the therapeutic benefits of art cannot be overstated. Engaging with art can be a form of stress relief, a tool for mental health, and even a method of physical rehabilitation.

From the  earliest cave paintings  to contemporary art installations, the act of creating and experiencing art has been a source of solace, expression, and healing for humans. The canvas, whether literal or metaphorical, often becomes a safe space, a refuge where emotions are processed, traumas are confronted, and healing begins. In this concluding section, we delve into the therapeutic dimensions of art, highlighting its transformative potential on mind, body, and spirit.

Expressive Therapy: The Cathartic Power of Creation

At its core, creating art is a form of expression. Whether through splashes of color, deliberate brush strokes, or abstract forms, individuals can communicate emotions that might be too overwhelming or complex to articulate verbally. For trauma survivors or those battling mental health issues, art provides an avenue to confront, process, and communicate their feelings, serving as both a medium and a mediator.

Art Appreciation: A Journey Inward

Engaging with art isn't just about creation; it's also about contemplation. Gazing at a painting, soaking in the notes of a musical piece, or losing oneself in a dance performance can be meditative experiences. Such moments of immersion can facilitate mindfulness, helping individuals detach from their immediate stresses, center themselves, and gain a fresh perspective.

Bridging Gaps: Art in Rehabilitation

The therapeutic power of art isn't restricted to emotional and mental spheres; it has tangible physical benefits as well. Art therapy is often employed in rehabilitation settings, assisting individuals recovering from strokes, surgeries, or traumatic injuries. Simple activities like molding clay, sketching, or painting can aid in improving motor skills, enhancing hand-eye coordination, and providing a sense of accomplishment and purpose.

Collective Healing: Art as a Community Endeavor

Beyond individual healing, art has the capacity to foster community well-being. Murals painted in neighborhoods scarred by violence or strife, theater performances addressing societal issues, or communal art projects can play pivotal roles in community healing. They not only beautify spaces but also create platforms for dialogue, understanding, and collective catharsis.

A Timeless Remedy: Art Throughout the Ages

The therapeutic essence of art isn't a contemporary discovery. Ancient civilizations, from the Greeks with their theater performances to the Native American tribes with their ritual dances and songs, recognized and harnessed the healing potential of artistic endeavors.

In a world fraught with stresses, uncertainties, and challenges, art stands as a beacon of hope and healing. Its transformative power, whether through creation, appreciation, or engagement, offers solace and strength, reminding us of the inherent beauty and resilience of the human spirit. As we navigate the complexities of our lives, art serves as a balm, a companion, and a healer, guiding us towards wholeness and well-being.

Now, Write Your Own Story at Lindenwood University

Each of these sections aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of why art history is not just a subject for academicians and art aficionados, but something deeply relevant to society and individual life. Are you ready to delve into this fascinating journey through the world of art history?

If you're interested in furthering your studies and even making a career out of your knowledge, Lindenwood University has  art and design programs to suit your needs. We are proud to offer a master's program in art history and visual culture as part of our 100 percent online curriculum. With this online graduate art degree , you can build upon your knowledge and understanding of art history while developing your appreciation for the impact of artistic expression. 

Looking to start your formal education in art history? Explore our  bachelor's in art history and visual culture . In this fully online art program, you'll learn the basics of various art periods and their impact on today's culture, politics, society, and more. 

Learn more about Lindenwood University's undergraduate and graduate art programs by  requesting more information  today. If you're ready to dive in, you can also  start your application  online!

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Department of Art History

Why Study Art History?

Art history teaches students to analyze the visual, sensual evidence to be found in diverse works of art, architecture, and design in combination with textual evidence. By honing skills of close looking, description, and the judicious use of historical sources, art history offers tools and vocabulary for interpreting the wealth of visual culture that surrounds us, as well as building a historically grounded understanding of artistic production in varied social and cultural contexts.

The major and minor in art history, as well as the minor in architectural studies, introduce students to a diversity of cultures and approaches that reflect the correspondingly global and interdisciplinary commitments of the department. Courses frequently draw upon the rich collections of the Smart Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, the Field Museum, and other cultural institutions across the city as well as the city’s built environment in order to enhance traditional classroom experiences with the distinctive kind of object-driven learning that art history has to offer.

The unique combination of skills that art history teaches—visual analysis and its written communication—are valuable to any future career. University of Chicago art history students have gone on to work in academia, museums, art galleries, and auction houses, as well as to careers in architecture, preservation, finance, consulting, advertising, law, and medicine.

Why Should I Study Art History?

• Art History
• Architecture

Each semester students find themselves enrolled in Art History classes for the first time. Ideally, they enrolled because they wanted to study the history of art and are enthusiastic about the prospect. This isn't always the case, however. Students may take Art History because it is required, or it seems like a good choice for AP credit in high school, or even because it is the only elective that fits into that semester's class schedule. When one of the latter three scenarios apply and a student realizes that Art History is not going to be an easy "A," questions invariably arise: why did I take this class? What's in it for me? Why should I study art history?

Why? Here are five compelling reasons to cheer you.

Because Every Picture Tells a Story

The single most fun reason to study Art History is the story it tells, and that doesn't just apply to pictures (that was merely a catchy headline for folks who were Rod Stewart fans back in the day).

You see, every artist operates under a unique set of circumstances and all of them affect his or her work. Pre-literate cultures had to appease their gods, ensure fertility and frighten their enemies through art. Italian Renaissance artists had to please either the Catholic Church, rich patrons, or both. Korean artists had compelling nationalistic reasons to distinguish their art from Chinese art. Modern artists strove to find new ways of seeing even while catastrophic wars and economic depression swirled around them. Contemporary artists are every bit as creative, and also have contemporary rents to pay—they need to balance creativity with sales.

No matter which piece of art or architecture you see, there were personal, political, sociological, and religious factors behind its creation. Untangling them and seeing how they connect to other pieces of art is huge, delicious fun.

Because There Is More to Art History than You May Think

This may come as news, but art history is not just about drawing, painting, and sculpture. You will also run across calligraphy, architecture , photography, film, mass media, performance art , installations, animation, video art, landscape design, and decorative arts like arms and armor, furniture, ceramics, woodworking, goldsmithing, and much more. If someone created something worth seeing—even a particularly fine black velvet Elvis—art history will offer it to you.

Because Art History Hones Your Skills

As was mentioned in the introductory paragraph, art history is not an easy "A." There is more to it than memorizing names, dates, and titles.

An art history class also requires you analyze, think critically, and write well. Yes, the five paragraph essay will rear its head with alarming frequency. Grammar and spelling will become your best friends, and you cannot escape citing sources .

Don't despair. These are all excellent skills to have, no matter where you want to go in life. Suppose you decide to become an engineer, scientist, or physician—analysis and critical thinking define these careers. And if you want to be a lawyer, get used to writing now. See? Excellent skills.

Because Our World Is Becoming More and More Visual

Think, really think about the amount of visual stimulation with which we are bombarded on a daily basis. You are reading this on your computer monitor, smartphone, iPad or tablet. Realistically, you may own all of these. In your spare time, you might watch television or videos on the internet, or play graphic-intensive video games. We ask our brains to process immense amounts of images from the time we wake until we fall asleep—and even then, some of us are vivid dreamers.

As a species, we are shifting from predominantly verbal thinking to visual thinking. Learning is becoming more visually- and less text-oriented; this requires us to respond not just with analysis or rote memorization, but also with emotional insight.

Art History offers you the tools you need to respond to this cavalcade of imagery. Think of it as a type of language, one that allows the user to successfully navigate new territory. Either way, you benefit.

Because Art History Is YOUR History

Each of us springs from a genetic soup seasoned by innumerable generations of cooks. It is the most human thing imaginable to want to know about our ancestors, the people who made us us . What did they look like? How did they dress? Where did they gather, work, and live? Which gods did they worship, enemies did they fight, and rituals did they observe?

Now consider this: photography has been around less than 200 years, film is even more recent, and digital images are relative newcomers. If we want to see any person that existed prior to these technologies we must rely on an artist. This isn't a problem if you come from a royal family where portraits of every King Tom, Dick, and Harry are hanging on the palace walls, but the other seven-or-so billion of us have to do a little art-historic digging.

The good news is that digging through art history is a fascinating pastime so, please, grab your mental shovel and commence. You will discover visual evidence of who and where you came from—and gain some insight on that genetic soup recipe. Tasty stuff!

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DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY

Why study art history.

Art history provides an excellent opportunity to develop the essential skills and talents that lie at the core of a good liberal arts education, including informed and critical reading, writing, and speaking. To these, it adds a particular attention to critical looking, building core skills in analyzing how the visual and physical qualities of buildings, images and objects can be used to communicate. In art history, we study the art and architecture of cultures around the world and across the millennia. We take a variety of approaches to our objects, but focus on understanding their aesthetic and historical significance as well as their social relevance. We ask how people make meaning in visual terms and, in turn, how we read and understand a world that is largely presented to us as visual information. Since Chicago is fortunate enough to boast a large number of world-famous museum collections and some of the world’s most extraordinary architecture, many of our classes emphasize on-site study and field trips.

With its broad historical, cultural, geographic, and methodological range, art history satisfies the expectations of burgeoning specialists while it also offers an excellent formation for those who intend to specialize in other areas. While many of our majors go on to careers in museums, galleries, arts reporting or academe, many others have successfully brought the skills honed in art history classrooms to the worlds of business, law, medicine and international relations.

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Why study art history.

The History of Art and Architecture concentration offers training in the interpretation and critical analysis of art and architecture. It develops skills in visual discrimination and verbal expression which are of fundamental value to your life at Harvard and beyond. In an era marked by the mass proliferation of images, chiefly through digital technologies and platforms, the cultivation of visual acuity and critical discernment is all the more pressing.

Encompassing material from the widest range of geographic and historical origins, art history is itself a multifaceted discipline embracing many different methods, perspectives, and interests. Sometimes it deduces from artworks the time and place of their making, or the identity of their makers. Sometimes it examines how concepts, ideals, and sensibilities of people of the past are expressed in their art, and further, how that art influenced wider aspects of their culture. Sometimes it explores within buildings, towns, and cities the dynamic between human and natural worlds. These and other approaches are reflected in the teaching and scholarship of the Faculty. Training in the critical analysis of art seeks to clarify the perception—and understanding—of how artworks relate to the techniques and materials used in their making, and to the environment in which they are seen. It also fosters the ability to make and explain judgments of quality and value. The History of Art and Architecture concentration is structured to take the student through a sequence of introductory courses and tutorials to more advanced pro-seminars and seminars. Students select a “major” area of study—one of the many fields represented by our Faculty—while at the same time receiving a broad formation across the discipline. The senior year is devoted to the completion of coursework and the senior thesis (writers of senior theses participate in a seminar led by the Senior Thesis Tutor, a course designed specifically about the processes of research, resources, argument, and writing). Another feature of our concentration is the Architecture Studies track which pursues the study of architecture—its history, theory, and practice—with the spirit of a liberal arts education. The studio component of the track is jointly administered with the Graduate School of Design. Throughout these years of study, concentrators in History of Art and Architecture work with a host of primary research materials in Harvard’s incomparable libraries and museums. The new facilities of the Harvard Art Museums—its galleries, Art Study Centers, Materials and Paper Labs, Straus Center for Conservation and Technical Studies—are used intensively for group instruction and detailed examination.

Photography by Anton Grassl   

The Faculty take great satisfaction in teaching and advising our undergraduate concentrators. It begins for many with the sophomore excursion seminar. Offered in the spring semester each year, it is co-taught by a group of Faculty and graduate students about a country, region, or a city, and its art and architecture. Some past examples include the cities of Berlin, Vienna, and Rome, with multi-site visits throughout Japan, the Netherlands, Peru, Spain, and Turkey. Research preparations are made during the semester and culminate with a period of immersive fieldwork in May. The seminar guides students through an intensive mode of research and fieldwork which together underscore the vital necessity of directly engaging the monuments and objects studied by historians of art and architecture. Supported by a gift from David Rockefeller, the sophomore excursion seminar embodies the value of cross-generational learning.

As a mid-size concentration, History of Art and Architecture offers many opportunities for instruction in smaller group settings, from tutorials to seminars, and takes great pride in the range of its advising opportunities led by our Director of Undergraduate Studies. Conversations between Faculty and undergraduate concentrators extend from work being done in courses, to the thesis, to summer internship opportunities, and life beyond Harvard.

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Photography by Anton Grassl    

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Quick links, suggested searches, what is art history.

Art history – the study of art from across the world, and from the ancient to the present day – covers virtually every aspect of human history and experience. This is because it looks at works of art not just as objects, but as a way of understanding the world, and the societies in which they were created.  

What were the conscious and unconscious choices that led to an artwork’s form and subject matter? What does its content – how people are represented, how religion is shown – tell you about the society in which it was created, and its history? How was it received when it was first put on display, and how has this changed?  

By asking these questions, art historians gain a fascinating insight into how people throughout time and across the world lived, thought, felt and understood everything around them. Developing understanding of these challenges  helps us make sense of the relationship between people, art and the forces that shape the world we live in today – and provides us with the critical skills to understand the visual world around us.  

Why study Art History?

It combines the rigour of a history degree with the visual skills required to interpret works of art. It will help you develop critical skills, to think about art and history from a variety of perspectives, and to present your ideas succinctly and persuasively. These are all key skills that will help you to stand out in today’s job market. You will learn to analyse the role art plays in shaping society. Art History will introduce you to world-famous works of art, as well as others that are less well known but equally as fascinating to examine and study. You will get to explore new areas of Art History, and artworks from a variety of time periods, from all around the world, delivered in a range of different forms. If you enjoy reading history, studying literature or languages, looking at art, and are fascinated by the relationship between people, art, and the forces that have shaped the world we live in, then Art History is the subject for you.

"What is art history" - we asked our academics:

Dr Guido Rebecchini, Reader in Sixteenth-Century Southern European Art:

Artworks from the past communicate with us across centuries in a language that is much more mysterious and nuanced than one might first assume. Interrogating them and looking closely at what they represent, as well as at their materials and techniques, enables us to make contact with ideas, rituals, beliefs and practices wholly different from our own. Art historians therefore explore the gulf between the appearance of artworks – as we might see them today in museums, galleries and historical buildings – and the complex ideas behind their production.

It is important to remember that artworks produced in the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period, in both the East and the West, were not intended to be displayed in museums. Instead, such artworks communicated with their audiences in spaces where rituals and practices that helped to form familial, civic and religious identities, such as palaces, churches and squares. Works of art were often made to mark marriages, births, deaths, and they reflected hopes and ambitions; in fact, they were often thought to have real agency in the world. Artworks were considered to possess holy powers, brought in procession, or stood in for absent people.

Ultimately, as art historians, we look closely and carefully, patiently and inquisitively, and ask questions incessantly. To do so, we analyse, compare and connect a wide range of difference sources and pieces of evidence; primarily the artworks themselves, but also documents, literature and many other traces of the past. By doing so, we locate works of art in the ecosystem in which they were conceived, which helps us to better understand how artworks of the past have shaped the world we live in. For these reasons, art history is a truly interdisciplinary: it demands that we take the vantage point of others, like the anthropologist does; that we see things in historical perspective, as the historian does; and that we consider how ideas related religion, family, gender, race, and politics are implicated in the art of the past. In conclusion, art history is an inquiry into human culture pursued mainly – but not only – by critically looking at the extraordinary images that past generations have left behind.

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Why study History of Art?

Are you thinking about studying History of Art at university but unsure what you will gain from studying this subject? Watch our short film to hear students James, Hannah, Rozeena and Mathilda explain why they love studying History of Art - and why we think you will too. 

There's so much more to the study of History of Art than admiring the aesthetics of an object. History of Art is a way of unlocking the past through material culture.

The study of art history helps you tease out the social, political and personal narratives of a piece of art - whether this be painting, sculpture, installation, photography or film - so that you can carve out a story of human experience, informed by your own background and interests such as social history, philosophy, anthropology, feminism and religion.

Discover 5 reasons to study History of Art at the University of Birmingham

1) you will work closely with our campus-based gallery.

Teaching regularly takes place in our working gallery on campus: The Barber Institute of Fine Arts . This gallery is Grade II listed, and home to some of the highest standards of artwork outside London, including works by famous artists such as; Van Gogh, Monet, Picasso, Turner and Magritte. Seminars and events regularly take place here, directly in front of works of art, so this deepens understanding of the work being discussed. You will also have the opportunity to explore how the Barber’s different departments work together as part of your degree, and to draw on the gallery staff’s own expertise. This hands-on approach to art history will expand your knowledge of the museum and heritage sector at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

As well as the opportunity to write for our very own departmental blog,  The Golovine , we have a  History of Art Society  which organises events at the Barber and further afield to discuss different artworks, exhibitions and artists.

The building also has a dedicated Fine Art Library, with magnificent floor-to-ceiling bookcases. This facility is supported by a Visual Resources Librarian who offers advice and support for all students during their degree. The VRL runs our database, ImageBank , which is a searchable online catalogue of high-resolution digital images designed as a resource to support you in your learning and research.

2) You will be taught by cutting-edge researchers

Students can choose to study a variety of media, methodologies and debates, as staff have a wide range of specialities; from painting and sculpture in the Renaissance period, to Impressionism and Post-Impressionism to Contemporary and Global Art – there really is something to suit all artistic interests. Research conducted by our staff feeds directly into our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, so our students are involved in research-led enquiry from day one.

Our staff have collaborated with notable institutions such as; Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Hungarian National Gallery, the National Gallery of Slovenia, the Ikon Gallery, and the Ben Uri Gallery. The Department also publishes the Journal of Art Historiography , an international peer-reviewed online journal, and  Midlands Art Papers , a departmental journal working closely with 11 partner institutions and their curators across the Midlands.

3) You will boost your employability

As the cultural industries remain a key part of our economic future, it is no surprise that a high percentage of our History of Art students are in exciting graduate-level positons just six months after completing their degree.

As a History of Art graduate, you can join the 40% of the University’s former students who stay in Birmingham after their studies. You may also be eligible to apply for one of our gallery internships with the Barber Institute of Fine Arts . There are also plenty more work and internship opportunities in the city and through the College of Arts and Law Careers team, who also host events such as ‘Careers in History of Art’. 

Throughout your degree, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to gaining experience through volunteering and work placements - as you are based in one of Britain’s fastest growing cultural hotspots. 

Art venues in Birmingham include:

• Birmingham Museum and Arts Gallery (which houses the largest collection of Pre-Raphaelite artwork in the world)
• Ikon Gallery (contemporary and experimental art)
• Midlands Art Centre (MAC - exhibitions, theatre and cinema)
• Vivid Projects (which host Digbeth First Fridays, a monthly open house of contemporary art galleries and projects in the Digbeth area)
• Birmingham Open Media (BOM - exhibitions combining art and the sciences)
• The Custard Factory (contemporary and experimental art)
• The Royal Society of Artists Gallery (RBSA - local artists)

Other cultural venues include:

• Birmingham Repertory Theatre
• Birmingham Hippodrome
• Birmingham Town Hall and Symphony Hall (THSH)
• The Electric Cinema (the oldest working cinema in the UK)
• The Eastside Project
• The Jewellery Quarter Museum
• Birmingham Back to Backs
• Birmingham Conservation Trust
• The Old Joint Stock
• Plus lots of venues to watch live rock, jazz, indie and pop music

Graduates from our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes have gone on to work for so many amazing companies including; Cath Kidston, The Victoria and Albert Museum and the Bodleian Library, and in a multitude of fields from curating, research, and auction houses, to costume, events, and teaching, to name just a few.

4) History of Art at Birmingham will take you places

The University of Birmingham has great transport links to galleries, museums and exhibitions throughout the UK and beyond. We are the only University in the UK to have its own train station, known simply as University Station, and it is only a 7-minute train ride to Birmingham New Street station. Birmingham New Street is one of Britain’s major train stations, with great links to Birmingham International and stations around the UK. 

Gallery study trips are not only organised in the West Midlands (e.g. Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, the IKON gallery, Grand Union) and London (e.g. National Gallery and Tate Modern), but also further afield during a week-long University-funded trip to a major European centre of artistic importance. Previous destinations have included Paris, Prague and Rome. This is a unique opportunity to examine works of art and architecture in person, and a great way to get to know fellow students and lecturers.

Students can also apply to study abroad for one year or one semester during their degree, taking History of Art-related subjects, which can be taught in English. Our exchange universities include; Melbourne University in Australia, Lund University in Sweden and Leiden University in the Netherlands.

You can find out more information about these opportunities via our History of Art Study Abroad page .

5) Our stunning campus will inspire and surprise you

The University of Birmingham is home to a diverse cultural range, which includes public museums, galleries, archives, libraries and cultural venues such as our  Bramall Music Building ,  Lapworth Museum of Geology  and  Winterbourne House and Garden .  

This is an exciting time for the University of Birmingham, as the  Green Heart , a striking expansion to our central parkland, has recently been opened. An eclectic array of sculptural offerings are also peppered around campus, you can discover them via our sculpture trail.

We are also home to  Cultural Collections  which includes:

• Rare books in the Cadbury Research Library
• West African masks in the Danford Collection of West African Art and Artefacts
• Important 20th century paintings such as Peter Lanyon’s mural in the Arts Building
• The Campus Collection of Fine and Decorative Arts
• The University’s Archaeology Collection

The University also offers a diverse range of cultural events each year such as; lectures and workshops as part of our Artist in Residence scheme, Reel Culture - the University of Birmingham’s Cultural Life on Film, and our annual  Arts and Science  and Book to the Future festivals.

Why Study Art from the Past?

Attributed to the Maestro delle Storie del Pane (Italian [Emilian], active late 15th century). Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini (left) and Portrait of a Woman, possibly Ginevra d'Antonio Lupari Gozzadini (right), ca. 1485–95. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, Robert Lehman Collection, 1975 (1975.1.95, 96)

«Art from the past holds clues to life in the past. By looking at a work of art's symbolism, colors, and materials, we can learn about the culture that produced it.» For example, the two portraits above are full of symbolism referring to virtues of an ideal marriage during the fifteenth century. The young woman's portrait contains symbols of chastity (the unicorn) and fertility (the rabbits), virtues that were important for a Renaissance woman to possess. After decoding the symbolism in these portraits, we can learn what was important to these people and how they wanted to be remembered.

We also can compare artwork, which provides different perspectives, and gives us a well-rounded way of looking at events, situations, and people. By analyzing artworks from the past and looking at their details, we can rewind time and experience what a time period different from our own was like.

Looking at art from the past contributes to who we are as people. By looking at what has been done before, we gather knowledge and inspiration that contribute to how we speak, feel, and view the world around us.

Related Links Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History : Portrait of a Man, possibly Matteo di Sebastiano di Bernardino Gozzadini ; and Portrait of a Woman, possibly Ginevra d'Antonio Lupari Gozzadini

Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History : " Paintings of Love and Marriage in the Italian Renaissance "

What do you think we can learn from looking at works of art from the past?

We welcome your responses to this question below.

Kristen undefined

Kristen is a member of the Museum's Teen Advisory Group.

Talking Point

Why study art?

Find out why art education is important from artists, young people and major cultural figures

Art in schools shouldn’t be sidelined… it should be right there right up in the front because I think art teaches you to deal with the world around you. It is the oxygen that makes all the other subjects breathe Alan Parker, filmmaker

Arts education is in crisis. In the UK, school time and budgets are under pressure and school inspections increasingly value ‘core’ subjects as the indicators of school level and success. Subjects including art, music and drama are often sidelined in the curriculum. This has led to a steady decline in the number of students choosing to study arts subjects at school.

In 2018 a landmark research project commissioned by Arts Council England, and undertaken by the University of Nottingham, called Tracking Learning and Engagement in the Arts (TALE) outlined the overwhelmingly positive benefits of arts and cultural education for young people. The research drew from the experience and voices of thousands of young people and their teachers in secondary and special schools.

We have pulled together some of these voices and findings from TALE and other research, as well as helpful resources on studying art.

Whether you’re choosing art as a GCSE; would like to study art or design at university; or are a parent or teacher interested in arts education: explore, join in and have your say!

Why is it important to study art?

School in general is so stressful… this is the one lesson I look forward to every week because I know it’s not going to majorly stress me out. Student, Three Rivers Academy, Surrey

[School is] all very robotic. It’s all very, it needs to be this, this and this. You can’t do this because it is wrong. It’s all following a strict script. That’s not what we’re made to do. We’re made to be our own person, we’re made to go off and do something that someone else hasn’t done before. Student, Ark Helenswood, Hastings

Creativity is critical thinking and without it how are you going to open up and ask harder questions? Art opens up those… possibilities to think beyond what we already know. Catherine Opie, artist

Learning through and about the arts enriches the experience of studying while at school as well as preparing students for life after school.

• Arts subjects encourage self-expression and creativity and can build confidence as well as a sense of individual identity.
• Creativity can also help with wellbeing and improving health and happiness – many students in the TALE study commented that arts lessons acted as an outlet for releasing the pressures of studying as well as those of everyday life.
• Studying arts subjects also help to develop critical thinking and the ability to interpret the world around us.

What are art lessons like? What do you learn?

You feel free because it’s just you sitting down, doing your work. No one is there to tell you what to do. It is just you, sitting there and expressing yourself, and sometimes we listen to music, which is helpful because you get new ideas. Student, Archbishop Tenison School, south London

Art is a non pre-prescribed dangerous world full of possibilities. Cate Blanchett, actor

The art room is a very different space to other spaces in the school. On her visit to Archbishop Tenison School in London TALE researcher Lexi Earl describes the bustle of the art classroom:

‘There are piles of sketchbooks, jars with pencils, paintbrushes, sinks splattered with paint. There are large art books for students to reference. Often there is a kiln, sometimes a dark room too. There are trays for drying work on, or work is pegged up over the sink, like clothing on a washing line.’

• The art room is a space where students have the freedom to express their ideas and thoughts and work creatively.
• The way art is taught means that interaction with other students and with the teacher is different in art and design classes. Students comment on the bonds they form with classmates because of their shared interests and ideas. The art teacher is someone they can bounce ideas off rather than telling them what to do.
• Studying art and design provides the opportunity to acquire new skills. As well as knowledge of different art forms, media and techniques you can also gain specialist skills in areas such as photography and digital technologies.

Have your say!

Do you think art is important? Do you think the arts should be an essential part of education? How do you think studying art is useful for the future?

Why Study Art? 2018 is an artwork by collective practice They Are Here commissioned by the Schools and Teachers team at Tate. The inspiration for the artwork was prompted by Mo, a 14 year old workshop participant who told the artists that ‘art is dead’.

All responses are welcome whether you’ve studied art or not! (You will be re-directed to the Why Study Art? artwork site).

Tate champions art in schools

ASSEMBLY at Tate Modern © Tate

Every year Tate Modern hosts ASSEMBLY, a special event for around 1500 London school students and their teachers. The students are invited to occupy, explore and take part in activities in Tate’s Blavatnik building and Turbine hall – which are closed to all other visitors.

This annual event, first staged in 2016 which invited schools from all over the UK, reflects Tate’s mission to champion the arts as part of every child’s education. The project aims to highlight not only the importance of visual culture in young people's lives, but the importance of those young people as future producers of culture.

Research at Tate

Tracking Arts Learning and Engagement (TALE) was a collaborative research project involving Tate, The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) and the University of Nottingham. The research focused on thirty secondary schools spread across England and included three special schools.

Over three-years (2015 – 2018) the research investigated four main questions:

• What do teachers learn from deep engagement with cultural organisations?
• How do teachers translate this learning into the classroom?
• What do pupils gain from these learning experiences?
• What do the two different models of teacher professional development at Tate and RSC offer and achieve?

See the findings of the project and explore fascinating insights through the project blogs that feature the voices of students and teachers interviewed during the research.

I don’t want to be an artist – why bother studying art?

It doesn’t matter if you’re going to study history or geography or science, you still need to be creative because the people who are the outliers in those fields are the most creative people. To have art eroded in schools is disastrous… Cornelia Parker, artist

Those skills go with you for the rest of your life as well. If you go for an interview, if they can see that you’re confident it is better for them because they know that they can ask questions that need to be asked. Student, Ark Helenwood, Hastings

Art may not be your favourite subject, but studying the arts alongside other subjects significantly boosts student achievement. Schools that integrate arts into their curriculum show improved student performance in Maths, English, critical thinking and verbal skills.

Arts education can also help with developing skills and ways of working that will benefit you in the future in whatever career you choose.

• The leading people in any field are those who can think creatively and innovatively. These are skills that employers value alongside qualifications. Making and participating in the arts aids the development of these skills
• When you study art you learn to work both independently and collaboratively, you also gain experience in time management – skillsets valued by employers
• Studying the arts teaches determination and resilience – qualities useful to any career. It teaches us that it is okay to fail, to not get things totally right the first time and to have the courage to start again. As a drama student at King Ethelbert’s School, Kent commented: ‘Like with every yes, there is like 10 nos… It has taught me that if I work on it, I will get there eventually. It is determination and commitment. It has definitely helped’

Is art good for society and communities generally?

You don’t have innovation if you don’t have arts. It’s as simple as that Anne-Marie Imafidon, CEO of Stemettes which encourages girls to pursue careers in science and technology

It was really when I was at art school that I started to see the relationship between history, philosophy, politics and art. Prior to that I thought that art was just making pretty pictures – actually art is connected to life. Yinka Shonibare, artist

Art and cultural production is at the centre of what makes a society what it is Wolfgang Tillmans, artist

Arts and cultural learning is more important than ever for the health of our communities and our society

Creativity is essential in a global economy that needs a workforce that is knowledgeable, imaginative and innovative. Studying arts subjects also increases social mobility – encouraging and motivating students from low-income families to go into higher education. Studying the arts can also help with understanding, interpreting and negotiating the complexities and diversity of society

• Students from low-income families who take part in arts activities at school are three times more likely to take a degree
• By making art a part of the national curriculum, we give the next generation of artists, designers, engineers, creators and cultural leaders the opportunity to develop the imagination and skills that are vital to our future
• Engagement with the arts helps young people develop a sense of their own identity and value. This in turn develops personal responsibility within their school and wider community
• Arts and cultural learning encourages awareness, empathy and appreciation of difference and diversity and the views of others

Tate Collective

Tate Collective is for young people aged 15 to 25 years old. Its aim is to facilitate new young audiences in creating, experimenting and engaging in our galleries and online with Tate's collection and exhibitions.

In 2018 Tate launched £5 exhibition tickets for Tate Collective members. If you are 16 to 25 sign-up free to Tate Collective. You don’t have to live in the UK – young people anywhere in the world can join! Enjoy the benefits of exhibition entry for £5 (you can also bring up to three friends to shows, each for £5); as well as discounts in Tate’s cafes and shops.

I love art – but can it be a career?

Studying art and design at school opens the door to a range of careers in the creative industries. The creative industries, which include art, design and music, are an important part of the British economy – one of the areas of the economy that is still growing.

Art lessons at school include teaching functional and useful skills that prepare students for future careers in the arts. Art departments also forge links with arts organisations and creative practitioners, companies and agencies. They organise visits and workshops which provide inspiring opportunities to for students to see what it’s like to ‘do’ a particular job and hear how artists and designers got where they are. As a student at Uxbride High School commented:

When it is from someone who has actually been through it and does it now you get the push where you’re like ‘oh, so I could actually genuinely do that myself’, without having a teacher say it to you.

If you are interested in pursuing a career in art and design explore our art school and art career resources:

Working at Tate

Find out about working at Tate including how to apply, current jobs or vacancies and what we do

Art School Debate

Battling about where to study art or whether it's a good idea? Get a second opinion from those in the know...

Explore more

Student resources.

From GCSE and A level exam help and advice on applying for art school, to fun resources you can use when you visit our galleries.

Play, make and explore on Tate Kids

Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Writing Essays in Art History

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These OWL resources provide guidance on typical genres with the art history discipline that may appear in professional settings or academic assignments, including museum catalog entries, museum title cards, art history analysis, notetaking, and art history exams.

Art History Analysis – Formal Analysis and Stylistic Analysis

Typically in an art history class the main essay students will need to write for a final paper or for an exam is a formal or stylistic analysis.

A formal analysis is just what it sounds like – you need to analyze the form of the artwork. This includes the individual design elements – composition, color, line, texture, scale, contrast, etc. Questions to consider in a formal analysis is how do all these elements come together to create this work of art? Think of formal analysis in relation to literature – authors give descriptions of characters or places through the written word. How does an artist convey this same information?

Organize your information and focus on each feature before moving onto the text – it is not ideal to discuss color and jump from line to then in the conclusion discuss color again. First summarize the overall appearance of the work of art – is this a painting? Does the artist use only dark colors? Why heavy brushstrokes? etc and then discuss details of the object – this specific animal is gray, the sky is missing a moon, etc. Again, it is best to be organized and focused in your writing – if you discuss the animals and then the individuals and go back to the animals you run the risk of making your writing unorganized and hard to read. It is also ideal to discuss the focal of the piece – what is in the center? What stands out the most in the piece or takes up most of the composition?

A stylistic approach can be described as an indicator of unique characteristics that analyzes and uses the formal elements (2-D: Line, color, value, shape and 3-D all of those and mass).The point of style is to see all the commonalities in a person’s works, such as the use of paint and brush strokes in Van Gogh’s work. Style can distinguish an artist’s work from others and within their own timeline, geographical regions, etc.

Methods & Theories To Consider:

Expressionism

Instructuralism

Postmodernism

Social Art History

Biographical Approach

Poststructuralism

Museum Studies

Visual Cultural Studies

Stylistic Analysis Example:

The following is a brief stylistic analysis of two Greek statues, an example of how style has changed because of the “essence of the age.” Over the years, sculptures of women started off as being plain and fully clothed with no distinct features, to the beautiful Venus/Aphrodite figures most people recognize today. In the mid-seventh century to the early fifth, life-sized standing marble statues of young women, often elaborately dress in gaily painted garments were created known as korai. The earliest korai is a Naxian women to Artemis. The statue wears a tight-fitted, belted peplos, giving the body a very plain look. The earliest korai wore the simpler Dorian peplos, which was a heavy woolen garment. From about 530, most wear a thinner, more elaborate, and brightly painted Ionic linen and himation. A largely contrasting Greek statue to the korai is the Venus de Milo. The Venus from head to toe is six feet seven inches tall. Her hips suggest that she has had several children. Though her body shows to be heavy, she still seems to almost be weightless. Viewing the Venus de Milo, she changes from side to side. From her right side she seems almost like a pillar and her leg bears most of the weight. She seems be firmly planted into the earth, and since she is looking at the left, her big features such as her waist define her. The Venus de Milo had a band around her right bicep. She had earrings that were brutally stolen, ripping her ears away. Venus was noted for loving necklaces, so it is very possibly she would have had one. It is also possible she had a tiara and bracelets. Venus was normally defined as “golden,” so her hair would have been painted. Two statues in the same region, have throughout history, changed in their style.

Compare and Contrast Essay

Most introductory art history classes will ask students to write a compare and contrast essay about two pieces – examples include comparing and contrasting a medieval to a renaissance painting. It is always best to start with smaller comparisons between the two works of art such as the medium of the piece. Then the comparison can include attention to detail so use of color, subject matter, or iconography. Do the same for contrasting the two pieces – start small. After the foundation is set move on to the analysis and what these comparisons or contrasting material mean – ‘what is the bigger picture here?’ Consider why one artist would wish to show the same subject matter in a different way, how, when, etc are all questions to ask in the compare and contrast essay. If during an exam it would be best to quickly outline the points to make before tackling writing the essay.

Compare and Contrast Example:

Stele of Hammurabi from Susa (modern Shush, Iran), ca. 1792 – 1750 BCE, Basalt, height of stele approx. 7’ height of relief 28’

Stele, relief sculpture, Art as propaganda – Hammurabi shows that his law code is approved by the gods, depiction of land in background, Hammurabi on the same place of importance as the god, etc.

Top of this stele shows the relief image of Hammurabi receiving the law code from Shamash, god of justice, Code of Babylonian social law, only two figures shown, different area and time period, etc.

Stele of Naram-sin , Sippar Found at Susa c. 2220 - 2184 bce. Limestone, height 6'6"

Stele, relief sculpture, Example of propaganda because the ruler (like the Stele of Hammurabi) shows his power through divine authority, Naramsin is the main character due to his large size, depiction of land in background, etc.

Akkadian art, made of limestone, the stele commemorates a victory of Naramsin, multiple figures are shown specifically soldiers, different area and time period, etc.

Iconography

Regardless of what essay approach you take in class it is absolutely necessary to understand how to analyze the iconography of a work of art and to incorporate into your paper. Iconography is defined as subject matter, what the image means. For example, why do things such as a small dog in a painting in early Northern Renaissance paintings represent sexuality? Additionally, how can an individual perhaps identify these motifs that keep coming up?

The following is a list of symbols and their meaning in Marriage a la Mode by William Hogarth (1743) that is a series of six paintings that show the story of marriage in Hogarth’s eyes.

• Man has pockets turned out symbolizing he has lost money and was recently in a fight by the state of his clothes.
• Lap dog shows loyalty but sniffs at woman’s hat in the husband’s pocket showing sexual exploits.
• Black dot on husband’s neck believed to be symbol of syphilis.
• Mantel full of ugly Chinese porcelain statues symbolizing that the couple has no class.
• Butler had to go pay bills, you can tell this by the distasteful look on his face and that his pockets are stuffed with bills and papers.
• Card game just finished up, women has directions to game under foot, shows her easily cheating nature.
• Paintings of saints line a wall of the background room, isolated from the living, shows the couple’s complete disregard to faith and religion.
• The dangers of sexual excess are underscored in the Hograth by placing Cupid among ruins, foreshadowing the inevitable ruin of the marriage.
• Eventually the series (other five paintings) shows that the woman has an affair, the men duel and die, the woman hangs herself and the father takes her ring off her finger symbolizing the one thing he could salvage from the marriage.

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Art History

What this handout is about.

This handout discusses a few common assignments found in art history courses. To help you better understand those assignments, this handout highlights key strategies for approaching and analyzing visual materials.

Writing in art history

Evaluating and writing about visual material uses many of the same analytical skills that you have learned from other fields, such as history or literature. In art history, however, you will be asked to gather your evidence from close observations of objects or images. Beyond painting, photography, and sculpture, you may be asked to write about posters, illustrations, coins, and other materials.

Even though art historians study a wide range of materials, there are a few prevalent assignments that show up throughout the field. Some of these assignments (and the writing strategies used to tackle them) are also used in other disciplines. In fact, you may use some of the approaches below to write about visual sources in classics, anthropology, and religious studies, to name a few examples.

This handout describes three basic assignment types and explains how you might approach writing for your art history class.Your assignment prompt can often be an important step in understanding your course’s approach to visual materials and meeting its specific expectations. Start by reading the prompt carefully, and see our handout on understanding assignments for some tips and tricks.

Three types of assignments are discussed below:

• Visual analysis essays
• Comparison essays
• Research papers

1. Visual analysis essays

Visual analysis essays often consist of two components. First, they include a thorough description of the selected object or image based on your observations. This description will serve as your “evidence” moving forward. Second, they include an interpretation or argument that is built on and defended by this visual evidence.

Formal analysis is one of the primary ways to develop your observations. Performing a formal analysis requires describing the “formal” qualities of the object or image that you are describing (“formal” here means “related to the form of the image,” not “fancy” or “please, wear a tuxedo”). Formal elements include everything from the overall composition to the use of line, color, and shape. This process often involves careful observations and critical questions about what you see.

Pre-writing: observations and note-taking

To assist you in this process, the chart below categorizes some of the most common formal elements. It also provides a few questions to get you thinking.

Let’s try this out with an example. You’ve been asked to write a formal analysis of the painting, George Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty , ca. 1800 (created in Britain and now in the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond).

What do you notice when you see this image? First, you might observe that this is a painting. Next, you might ask yourself some of the following questions: what kind of paint was used, and what was it painted on? How has the artist applied the paint? What does the scene depict, and what kinds of figures (an art-historical term that generally refers to humans) or animals are present? What makes these animals similar or different? How are they arranged? What colors are used in this painting? Are there any colors that pop out or contrast with the others? What might the artist have been trying to accomplish by adding certain details?

What other questions come to mind while examining this work? What kinds of topics come up in class when you discuss paintings like this one? Consider using your class experiences as a model for your own description! This process can be lengthy, so expect to spend some time observing the artwork and brainstorming.

Here is an example of some of the notes one might take while viewing Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty :

Composition

• The animals, four pigs total, form a gently sloping mound in the center of the painting.
• The upward mound of animals contrasts with the downward curve of the wooden fence.
• The gentle light, coming from the upper-left corner, emphasizes the animals in the center. The rest of the scene is more dimly lit.
• The composition is asymmetrical but balanced. The fence is balanced by the bush on the right side of the painting, and the sow with piglets is balanced by the pig whose head rests in the trough.
• Throughout the composition, the colors are generally muted and rather limited. Yellows, greens, and pinks dominate the foreground, with dull browns and blues in the background.
• Cool colors appear in the background, and warm colors appear in the foreground, which makes the foreground more prominent.
• Large areas of white with occasional touches of soft pink focus attention on the pigs.
• The paint is applied very loosely, meaning the brushstrokes don’t describe objects with exact details but instead suggest them with broad gestures.
• The ground has few details and appears almost abstract.
• The piglets emerge from a series of broad, almost indistinct, circular strokes.
• The painting contrasts angular lines and rectangles (some vertical, some diagonal) with the circular forms of the pig.
• The negative space created from the intersection of the fence and the bush forms a wide, inverted triangle that points downward. The point directs viewers’ attention back to the pigs.

Because these observations can be difficult to notice by simply looking at a painting, art history instructors sometimes encourage students to sketch the work that they’re describing. The image below shows how a sketch can reveal important details about the composition and shapes.

Writing: developing an interpretation

Once you have your descriptive information ready, you can begin to think critically about what the information in your notes might imply. What are the effects of the formal elements? How do these elements influence your interpretation of the object?

Your interpretation does not need to be earth-shatteringly innovative, but it should put forward an argument with which someone else could reasonably disagree. In other words, you should work on developing a strong analytical thesis about the meaning, significance, or effect of the visual material that you’ve described. For more help in crafting a strong argument, see our Thesis Statements handout .

For example, based on the notes above, you might draft the following thesis statement:

In Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty, the close proximity of the pigs to each other–evident in the way Morland has overlapped the pigs’ bodies and grouped them together into a gently sloping mound–and the soft atmosphere that surrounds them hints at the tranquility of their humble farm lives.

Or, you could make an argument about one specific formal element:

In Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty, the sharp contrast between rectilinear, often vertical, shapes and circular masses focuses viewers’ attention on the pigs, who seem undisturbed by their enclosure.

Support your claims

Your thesis statement should be defended by directly referencing the formal elements of the artwork. Try writing with enough specificity that someone who has not seen the work could imagine what it looks like. If you are struggling to find a certain term, try using this online art dictionary: Tate’s Glossary of Art Terms .

Your body paragraphs should explain how the elements work together to create an overall effect. Avoid listing the elements. Instead, explain how they support your analysis.

As an example, the following body paragraph illustrates this process using Morland’s painting:

Morland achieves tranquility not only by grouping animals closely but also by using light and shadow carefully. Light streams into the foreground through an overcast sky, in effect dappling the pigs and the greenery that encircles them while cloaking much of the surrounding scene. Diffuse and soft, the light creates gentle gradations of tone across pigs’ bodies rather than sharp contrasts of highlights and shadows. By modulating the light in such subtle ways, Morland evokes a quiet, even contemplative mood that matches the restful faces of the napping pigs.

This example paragraph follows the 5-step process outlined in our handout on paragraphs . The paragraph begins by stating the main idea, in this case that the artist creates a tranquil scene through the use of light and shadow. The following two sentences provide evidence for that idea. Because art historians value sophisticated descriptions, these sentences include evocative verbs (e.g., “streams,” “dappling,” “encircles”) and adjectives (e.g., “overcast,” “diffuse,” “sharp”) to create a mental picture of the artwork in readers’ minds. The last sentence ties these observations together to make a larger point about the relationship between formal elements and subject matter.

There are usually different arguments that you could make by looking at the same image. You might even find a way to combine these statements!

Remember, however you interpret the visual material (for example, that the shapes draw viewers’ attention to the pigs), the interpretation needs to be logically supported by an observation (the contrast between rectangular and circular shapes). Once you have an argument, consider the significance of these statements. Why does it matter if this painting hints at the tranquility of farm life? Why might the artist have tried to achieve this effect? Briefly discussing why these arguments matter in your thesis can help readers understand the overall significance of your claims. This step may even lead you to delve deeper into recurring themes or topics from class.

Tread lightly

Avoid generalizing about art as a whole, and be cautious about making claims that sound like universal truths. If you find yourself about to say something like “across cultures, blue symbolizes despair,” pause to consider the statement. Would all people, everywhere, from the beginning of human history to the present agree? How do you know? If you find yourself stating that “art has meaning,” consider how you could explain what you see as the specific meaning of the artwork.

Double-check your prompt. Do you need secondary sources to write your paper? Most visual analysis essays in art history will not require secondary sources to write the paper. Rely instead on your close observation of the image or object to inform your analysis and use your knowledge from class to support your argument. Are you being asked to use the same methods to analyze objects as you would for paintings? Be sure to follow the approaches discussed in class.

Some classes may use “description,” “formal analysis” and “visual analysis” as synonyms, but others will not. Typically, a visual analysis essay may ask you to consider how form relates to the social, economic, or political context in which these visual materials were made or exhibited, whereas a formal analysis essay may ask you to make an argument solely about form itself. If your prompt does ask you to consider contextual aspects, and you don’t feel like you can address them based on knowledge from the course, consider reading the section on research papers for further guidance.

2. Comparison essays

Comparison essays often require you to follow the same general process outlined in the preceding sections. The primary difference, of course, is that they ask you to deal with more than one visual source. These assignments usually focus on how the formal elements of two artworks compare and contrast with each other. Resist the urge to turn the essay into a list of similarities and differences.

Comparison essays differ in another important way. Because they typically ask you to connect the visual materials in some way or to explain the significance of the comparison itself, they may require that you comment on the context in which the art was created or displayed.

For example, you might have been asked to write a comparative analysis of the painting discussed in the previous section, George Morland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty (ca. 1800), and an unknown Vicús artist’s Bottle in the Form of a Pig (ca. 200 BCE–600 CE). Both works are illustrated below.

You can begin this kind of essay with the same process of observations and note-taking outlined above for formal analysis essays. Consider using the same questions and categories to get yourself started.

Here are some questions you might ask:

• What techniques were used to create these objects?
• How does the use of color in these two works compare? Is it similar or different?
• What can you say about the composition of the sculpture? How does the artist treat certain formal elements, for example geometry? How do these elements compare to and contrast with those found in the painting?
• How do these works represent their subjects? Are they naturalistic or abstract? How do these artists create these effects? Why do these similarities and differences matter?

As our handout on comparing and contrasting suggests, you can organize these thoughts into a Venn diagram or a chart to help keep the answers to these questions distinct.

For example, some notes on these two artworks have been organized into a chart:

As you determine points of comparison, think about the themes that you have discussed in class. You might consider whether the artworks display similar topics or themes. If both artworks include the same subject matter, for example, how does that similarity contribute to the significance of the comparison? How do these artworks relate to the periods or cultures in which they were produced, and what do those relationships suggest about the comparison? The answers to these questions can typically be informed by your knowledge from class lectures. How have your instructors framed the introduction of individual works in class? What aspects of society or culture have they emphasized to explain why specific formal elements were included or excluded? Once you answer your questions, you might notice that some observations are more important than others.

Writing: developing an interpretation that considers both sources

When drafting your thesis, go beyond simply stating your topic. A statement that says “these representations of pig-like animals have some similarities and differences” doesn’t tell your reader what you will argue in your essay.

To say more, based on the notes in the chart above, you might write the following thesis statement:

Although both artworks depict pig-like animals, they rely on different methods of representing the natural world.

Now you have a place to start. Next, you can say more about your analysis. Ask yourself: “so what?” Why does it matter that these two artworks depict pig-like animals? You might want to return to your class notes at this point. Why did your instructor have you analyze these two works in particular? How does the comparison relate to what you have already discussed in class? Remember, comparison essays will typically ask you to think beyond formal analysis.

While the comparison of a similar subject matter (pig-like animals) may influence your initial argument, you may find that other points of comparison (e.g., the context in which the objects were displayed) allow you to more fully address the matter of significance. Thinking about the comparison in this way, you can write a more complex thesis that answers the “so what?” question. If your class has discussed how artists use animals to comment on their social context, for example, you might explore the symbolic importance of these pig-like animals in nineteenth-century British culture and in first-millenium Vicús culture. What political, social, or religious meanings could these objects have generated? If you find yourself needing to do outside research, look over the final section on research papers below!

Supporting paragraphs

The rest of your comparison essay should address the points raised in your thesis in an organized manner. While you could try several approaches, the two most common organizational tactics are discussing the material “subject-by-subject” and “point-by-point.”

• Subject-by-subject: Organizing the body of the paper in this way involves writing everything that you want to say about Moreland’s painting first (in a series of paragraphs) before moving on to everything about the ceramic bottle (in a series of paragraphs). Using our example, after the introduction, you could include a paragraph that discusses the positioning of the animals in Moreland’s painting, another paragraph that describes the depiction of the pigs’ surroundings, and a third explaining the role of geometry in forming the animals. You would then follow this discussion with paragraphs focused on the same topics, in the same order, for the ancient South American vessel. You could then follow this discussion with a paragraph that synthesizes all of the information and explores the significance of the comparison.
• Point-by-point: This strategy, in contrast, involves discussing a single point of comparison or contrast for both objects at the same time. For example, in a single paragraph, you could examine the use of color in both of our examples. Your next paragraph could move on to the differences in the figures’ setting or background (or lack thereof).

As our use of “pig-like” in this section indicates, titles can be misleading. Many titles are assigned by curators and collectors, in some cases years after the object was produced. While the ceramic vessel is titled Bottle in the Form of a Pig , the date and location suggest it may depict a peccary, a pig-like species indigenous to Peru. As you gather information about your objects, think critically about things like titles and dates. Who assigned the title of the work? If it was someone other than the artist, why might they have given it that title? Don’t always take information like titles and dates at face value.

Be cautious about considering contextual elements not immediately apparent from viewing the objects themselves unless you are explicitly asked to do so (try referring back to the prompt or assignment description; it will often describe the expectation of outside research). You may be able to note that the artworks were created during different periods, in different places, with different functions. Even so, avoid making broad assumptions based on those observations. While commenting on these topics may only require some inference or notes from class, if your argument demands a large amount of outside research, you may be writing a different kind of paper. If so, check out the next section!

3. Research papers

Some assignments in art history ask you to do outside research (i.e., beyond both formal analysis and lecture materials). These writing assignments may ask you to contextualize the visual materials that you are discussing, or they may ask you to explore your material through certain theoretical approaches. More specifically, you may be asked to look at the object’s relationship to ideas about identity, politics, culture, and artistic production during the period in which the work was made or displayed. All of these factors require you to synthesize scholars’ arguments about the materials that you are analyzing. In many cases, you may find little to no research on your specific object. When facing this situation, consider how you can apply scholars’ insights about related materials and the period broadly to your object to form an argument. While we cannot cover all the possibilities here, we’ll highlight a few factors that your instructor may task you with investigating.

Iconography

Papers that ask you to consider iconography may require research on the symbolic role or significance of particular symbols (gestures, objects, etc.). For example, you may need to do some research to understand how pig-like animals are typically represented by the cultural group that made this bottle, the Vicús culture. For the same paper, you would likely research other symbols, notably the bird that forms part of the bottle’s handle, to understand how they relate to one another. This process may involve figuring out how these elements are presented in other artworks and what they mean more broadly.

Artistic style and stylistic period

You may also be asked to compare your object or painting to a particular stylistic category. To determine the typical traits of a style, you may need to hit the library. For example, which period style or stylistic trend does Moreland’s Pigs and Piglets in a Sty belong to? How well does the piece “fit” that particular style? Especially for works that depict the same or similar topics, how might their different styles affect your interpretation? Assignments that ask you to consider style as a factor may require that you do some research on larger historical or cultural trends that influenced the development of a particular style.

Provenance research asks you to find out about the “life” of the object itself. This research can include the circumstances surrounding the work’s production and its later ownership. For the two works discussed in this handout, you might research where these objects were originally displayed and how they ended up in the museum collections in which they now reside. What kind of argument could you develop with this information? For example, you might begin by considering that many bottles and jars resembling the Bottle in the Form of a Pig can be found in various collections of Pre-Columbian art around the world. Where do these objects originate? Do they come from the same community or region?

Patronage study

Prompts that ask you to discuss patronage might ask you to think about how, when, where, and why the patron (the person who commissions or buys the artwork or who supports the artist) acquired the object from the artist. The assignment may ask you to comment on the artist-patron relationship, how the work fit into a broader series of commissions, and why patrons chose particular artists or even particular subjects.

Additional resources

To look up recent articles, ask your librarian about the Art Index, RILA, BHA, and Avery Index. Check out www.lib.unc.edu/art/index.html for further information!

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Adams, Laurie Schneider. 2003. Looking at Art . Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Barnet, Sylvan. 2015. A Short Guide to Writing about Art , 11th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Tate Galleries. n.d. “Art Terms.” Accessed November 1, 2020. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms .

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Department of History of Art

Art both reflects and helps to create a culture’s vision of itself. Studying the art of the past teaches us how people have seen themselves and their world, and how they want to show this to others.

Why study history of art?

Art history provides a means by which we can understand our human past and its relationship to our present, because the act of making art is one of humanity’s most ubiquitous activities.

As an art historian you will learn about this rich and fundamental strand of human culture. You will learn to talk and write about works of art from different periods and places, in the same way that other students learn to write about literature or history. 

But you will also learn skills unique to art historians. You will learn to make visual arguments and, above all, you will train your eyes and brain in the skills of critical looking. Don't take our word for it! Neuroscientists have shown that trained art historians see the world differently .

Scientists have tracked the movements of an art historian’s eyes: the results show how they scan, fixate and linger on particular points of the canvas reveals their skill and is entirely different to someone with an untrained eye.

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Why study art history?

Studying art history to many is just a way to get extra credit, while to others they do just because it is mandatory. So why go through a whole undergraduate life just to earn a bachelor’s degree? What is the value of studying art history?

Art has existed for a very long time even before the beginning of formal education. In the ancient times, it was used to appease the gods, frighten enemies, compel people, and distinguish between various cultures and even served reasons for personal and economic importance. Most of the pieces of art that you see have a personal history behind them, and while the average eye only appreciates the aesthetic of that piece of art, an art student would take time to see the main essence of it. For example, going to the museum without prior knowledge of art or a tour guide might not be very worthwhile. 

This will happen because you might not know how to interpret the works in the galleries or the edifice in the museum . You may also not notice that the paintings and artworks have been adequately arranged to denote a difference in time and therefore to refer the transition in th e history of a particular culture or people . All these, however, are not strange to a student who is enrolled in a programme, as most of his assignment and course works would make sure that he interacts with most of this artwork and give visual and textural interpretations of them .  This is important to consider, as t his interest you may have could lead you to take  art history jobs .

Art simply refers to the expression of thoughts, intuitions, desires, and emotions. The course will open your eyes to your surroundings , and every piece of artwork you find will have a story to tell. The several aspects of art talk about history in different ways, and from a play showing the rise of a culture to a piece of architectural masterpiece that holds different puzzles about the past. All these come together in art history to help us understand the happenings of the past without using plain words or simple deductions.

What does studying art history mean?

It doesn’t only mean that you have to seat in dusty classes and listen to boring lectures, it involves a deep interaction with nature , and there are a lot of categories even to choose from. You can choose to get an art history bachelor’s degree in the creative arts, music, literature and even performing arts. Also, you don’t need to be exceptional at any of these things before you can study art history, what you are mainly required to do is to have a deep sense of appreciation for the world as a whole and see things from a unique perspective. For example, when looking at a teapot, church painting, jewelry, plates, graffiti, illuminated manuscript, museum design or even listening to classical music, as an artist you have to realize that there is a historical and cultural context behind them. An art historian will simply study this and become more knowledgeable about them.

It involves studying a piece of art by looking at the artist’s use of lines, shape, texture, approach and even composition . Although there are different approaches to art and how to go about interpreting its works, there are still a few approaches that have been standardized into the field. Arts history bachelor’s degree has a solid foundation in courses like liberal arts, education, philosophy, social and natural sciences, a foreign language and more .

What are the benefits of art history?

The discipline, while it is richly involved in the study of arts also incorporates fields like social history, aesthetics, economics, politics, and anthropology . It is important because it gives you exposure to other humanities subjects, relating them to draw conclusions and critical evaluation of different artworks. The learning process also helps to learn about crucial times in history and know exactly how the experience of that timeline was like. The history behind artworks as at separate times helps to learn of different tribes and their cultures. It has also helped in a lot of cases to learn of the transition of time in both social, political and economic stages. It allows its students to gather knowledge and inspiration that eventually contributes to how they speak and view the world around us as a people. 

Additionally, this discipline will help you gain very rich insights into various world cultures, tradition and transition in the socio-economic role .  It also brings together the meanings and interpretation of encrypted messages in old artworks. So getting an art’s history bachelor’s degree can be a journey to enlightenment while learning a lot at the same time.

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Why Study Art? – The Power to Unleashing Creativity

Art is a ubiquitous presence in human life, encompassing a vast array of forms from paintings, sculptures, and architecture, to music, literature, and film. While it may be easy to view art as purely a form of entertainment or aesthetic pleasure, the truth is that studying art can offer much more than just enjoyment. Engaging with art can help us develop a deeper understanding of the world around us and our place in it, fostering critical thinking, creativity, empathy, and cultural awareness. In this article, we will explore questions such as, “why is it important to study art?”, “is art a subject in school students should pursue?”, “where to Study Art?”, and “what is an art study?”. Read below for an in-depth discussion on why studying art is a valuable decision. 

Table of Contents

• 1.1 Societal and Cultural Purposes of Art: Religious and Spiritual Purposes
• 1.2 Political and Propaganda Purposes
• 1.3 Cultural Identity
• 1.4 Education and Documentation
• 1.5 Entertainment
• 2.1 Social and Political Commentary
• 2.2 Cultural Identity and Diversity
• 2.3 Technological Advancements
• 2.4 Entertainment and Aesthetics
• 2.5 Economic and Commercial Value
• 3.1.1 Developing Observation and Analysis Skills
• 3.1.2 Enhancing Communication Skills
• 3.1.3 Building Cultural Awareness
• 3.2.1 Teaches Perseverance
• 3.2.2 Improves Observation Skills
• 3.2.3 Teaches Risk-Taking
• 3.2.4 Encourages Collaboration
• 3.3.1 Encourages Experimentation
• 3.3.2 Provides Opportunities for Self-Expression
• 3.3.3 Develops Imagination
• 4.1 The Development of Emotional Intelligence Through Art
• 4.2 The Benefits of Art Therapy and Art Education
• 4.3 The Impact of Art on Mental Health
• 5.1 Express Visually
• 5.2 Art Foster Empathy and Understanding
• 6.1 Art Teaches Cultural Diversity
• 6.2 The Importance of Understanding Different Art Forms
• 6.3 Art Transcends Language Barriers
• 7.1 Art Education Can Enhance Career Prospects
• 7.2 The Impact of Art on Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• 7.3 The Growing Importance of Creativity in the Workplace
• 8.1 Art Education and Personal Growth and Development
• 8.2 The Impact of Art on Self-Expression
• 8.3 The Role of Art in Self-Discovery
• 9.1 Technological Literacy
• 9.2 Advancing Technology
• 9.3 The Future of Art and Technology
• 10.1 The Economic Impact of the Arts
• 10.2 Art and Economic Growth
• 10.3 The Role of Art in Community Development
• 11.1 Art Education and the Promotion of Social Justice
• 11.2 The Impact of Art on Social Issues
• 11.3 Art, Activism, and Advocacy
• 12 Where to Study Art?
• 13.1 What Is an Art Study?
• 13.2 How Does Art Education Benefit Students?
• 13.3 Is Art a Subject in School Anyone Can Take?
• 13.4 What Are the Different Forms of Art Education?
• 13.5 How Does Art Education Impact Society?
• 13.6 What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Art Education?

Why Study Art?

Art has been used for societal and cultural purposes throughout human history. From the earliest cave paintings to the most contemporary art forms, it has been an essential means of expressing ideas, values, and beliefs, as well as reflecting the social and cultural context in which it was created. Let us explore some examples of how art has been used for societal and cultural purposes.

Societal and Cultural Purposes of Art: Religious and Spiritual Purposes

Art has been used to express religious and spiritual beliefs, values, and practices. Many of the world’s major religions have a rich history of art, including Christian iconography, Islamic calligraphy,

Hindu and Buddhist sculpture, and Native American pictographs.

Political and Propaganda Purposes

Art has been used to convey political and social messages, often serving as a tool of propaganda. Political art can be found in many forms, including posters, murals, and street art, and is often used to raise awareness about social justice issues, human rights, and political dissent.

Cultural Identity

Art has been used to express and celebrate cultural identity. Artistic expressions such as music, dance, and traditional crafts have long been important ways for communities to pass down cultural knowledge and preserve their heritage.

Education and Documentation

The role of art in education and documentation is important to discuss when we are looking at the question, “why study art?”. Art has been used to educate and document history and culture. Artifacts, artworks, and other cultural objects have been used to provide insight into the beliefs, customs, and practices of societies long gone.

Entertainment

Art has also been used for entertainment purposes, providing people with enjoyment and pleasure. From theater and cinema to music and literature, art has a vital role in providing leisure and entertainment to people of all ages and backgrounds.

Contemporary Society: Why Is It Important to Study Art?

When considering the question, “why study art?”, we need to look at the role of art in contemporary society. The function of art in modern civilization is multifaceted and constantly evolving. In the modern era, art has expanded beyond traditional forms such as painting and sculpture and has become increasingly diverse and experimental. In this section of the article, we will look at some of the ways in which art plays a role in contemporary society.

Social and Political Commentary

Art has the ability to reflect and comment on current social and political issues, such as climate change, human rights, and identity politics. Contemporary artists often use their work to raise awareness about important issues, spark debate, and encourage social change.

Cultural Identity and Diversity

Art can also play a part in fostering cultural multiplicity and familiarity. In a globalized world, contemporary artists often explore issues of identity and cultural exchange, drawing inspiration from a wide range of sources and traditions.

Technological Advancements

With advances in technology, artists have been able to explore new mediums and create innovative works that challenge traditional notions of art. Digital art, multimedia installations, and interactive installations are just a few examples of how technology is shaping contemporary art .

Entertainment and Aesthetics

Contemporary art also has a role in providing entertainment and aesthetic pleasure. From pop art to street art, contemporary artists continue to push the boundaries of what is considered art, creating works that are visually stunning and thought-provoking.

Economic and Commercial Value

Finally, art plays a significant role in the global economy, with contemporary art sales reaching record highs in recent years. Contemporary art is a major industry, with galleries, museums, and art fairs generating billions of dollars in revenue each year.

The Importance of Arts Education

Arts education has long been recognized as an essential component of a well-rounded education, providing students with the opportunity to develop creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills. Despite its importance, however, arts education is often undervalued and underfunded in many schools and communities. In this part of the piece, we will examine the significance of arts education and its effect on the academic, social, and emotional development of students.

Through this discussion, we hope to highlight the crucial role that arts education plays in shaping the future leaders, thinkers, and innovators of our society.

Critical Thinking

Art education is often seen as a luxury or an extracurricular activity, but the truth is that it plays a critical role in fostering critical thinking skills. Art provides students with an opportunity to develop their creativity and imagination, as well as their ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate visual information.

Developing Observation and Analysis Skills

Art education encourages students to observe and analyze visual information. When creating art, students must pay attention to various details. This process of observation and analysis helps to develop critical thinking skills, enabling students to identify patterns and relationships, make connections, and draw conclusions.

Enhancing Communication Skills

Art education also helps to develop communication skills, as students learn how to express themselves visually. Art provides an opportunity for students to communicate their thoughts and emotions in a way that is both powerful and personal.

Building Cultural Awareness

Art education can also foster cultural awareness, as students learn about different cultures and traditions through the study of art. By analyzing art from various parts of the globe and throughout history, students can gain deeper wisdom of diverse viewpoints and ways of living.

This skill is important when relating to people from different backgrounds and thinking about issues that involve individuals from diverse cultures.

Art and Problem-Solving Abilities

Studying art can contribute significantly to problem-solving abilities in various ways. Art is not only a way to express yourself but can also be used to solve problems creatively. Here are some ways in which studying art can improve problem-solving abilities.

Teaches Perseverance

Art is a process that requires patience and perseverance. Studying art teaches individuals that problem-solving is not consistently comfortable, but it is worth the endeavor. Artists often face setbacks and must overcome challenges to create their work.

This process teaches individuals that perseverance is key to solving problems.

Improves Observation Skills

Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes says in her book The Creative Fire that art is about deep observation. To make art that is engaging, clever, relevant, and inspiring, artists need to train their eyes to see what few other people notice. In the process of creating art, students must pay attention to details such as color, form, and texture. This kind of observation can be applied to other areas of life, such as problem-solving in science, engineering, or medicine.

Teaches Risk-Taking

Art encourages individuals to take chances and explore fresh concepts. Studying art teaches individuals that risk-taking is an essential component of problem-solving. Art students are often encouraged to experiment with new techniques, materials, and ideas, which teaches them to take risks and embrace the unknown.

Encourages Collaboration

Art education often involves collaborative assignments that mandate learners to work concurrently to solve issues. In this process, students learn how to work as a unit and use the strengths of each person to reach a joint destination. This kind of collaborative problem-solving can be applied to other areas of life, such as in the workplace or personal life.

Art and Creative Thinking

Art education can teach creative thinking in many ways, as it is designed to encourage students to explore and experiment with new ideas, materials, and techniques. Here are some ways in which art education can build creative thinking.

Encourages Experimentation

Art education centers around the application of various mediums in new ways. Learners often do not know the result of their visions until they execute them. This basis of experimentation with different materials, techniques, and ideas teaches them that exploration leads to new possibilities, which helps them develop their creativity and imagination.

Provides Opportunities for Self-Expression

Art education offers prospects for scholars to convey themselves creatively. By encouraging self-expression, students learn to trust their instincts and develop their unique voice, which helps them to become more creative thinkers.

Develops Imagination

Art education stimulates the imagination and helps students develop their ability to visualize and think creatively. By providing students with an opportunity to create their own world and tell their own stories, art education encourages imagination and helps students develop their creative thinking skills.

Art Education and Emotional Intelligence

Art has long been recognized as a valuable tool for improving mental health and well-being. In recent years, the benefits of art education and art therapy have become more widely recognized, with increasing evidence demonstrating the positive impact of art on emotional intelligence and mental health.

The Development of Emotional Intelligence Through Art

One of the ways that art education can develop emotional intelligence is by encouraging students to explore and express their emotions through art. This process can help students develop a greater insight into their own feelings, as well as compassion and understanding of the feelings of others.

Through art, learners can discover how to express their emotions in a wholesome and effective way, which can lead to enhanced connections and more significant self-awareness.

The Benefits of Art Therapy and Art Education

Art therapy is another powerful tool for improving emotional intelligence and mental health. Art therapy concerns the use of art-making as a form of therapy, authorizing people to represent their feelings and work through personal challenges. This process can be particularly beneficial for individuals who have hardship articulating themselves verbally, such as those with trauma or mental illness. By engaging in the creative process, individuals can develop greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and coping skills. Here is a concise bullet-point list derived from The Art Therapy Sourcebook by Cathy Malchiodi on how art therapy can support personal growth:

• Art assists in emotional release. Art-making has therapeutic benefits that help us engage with our emotions and express what words cannot. Many individuals turn to art when they reach the boundaries of vocabulary and reasoning in processing difficult feelings.
• Art teaches us about sensory experience. Art employs our sensorial knowledge of the world and helps us connect with sounds, smells, textures, and shapes. This makes it a valuable tool in navigating and understanding the world, as the understanding and use of materials are vital to human functioning.
• Art enhances our lives. It has been scientifically proven that engaging with art can transform inner conflict, reduce stress, and promote compassionate ways of engaging with the world. It challenges perfectionism and helps us transcend our rigid living patterns. Creating and viewing art can act as an agent for accessing the evasive, inventive, and strange nature of reality. Art is an important way of discovering new meanings in life, connecting with our inner child, and assessing and changing our values.
• Art is conducive to individuation. Art-making is a fun practice that promotes curiosity, playfulness, and identity formulation. It permits us to relate to our intuition and energizes us. Artistic expression communicates our unique perspective on life and can help us stand out in a world that often promotes a group mentality.
• Art creates relationships. Art allows for connection and communication, as it can help release stress and mediate emotions. It also supplies a platform for people to talk about difficult topics and share their perspectives, which can lead to growth and healing.

The Impact of Art on Mental Health

In addition to emotional intelligence, art education and art therapy have a range of other benefits for mental health. Research has proven that employing art can reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, lower tension levels, and improve overall well-being.

Creating art can also provide a sense of achievement and fulfillment, which can boost self-esteem and confidence.

Moreover, art has been shown to have a therapeutic effect on individuals with chronic illnesses, such as cancer or chronic pain. Creating art can provide a sense of control and purpose, as well as a distraction from the physical and emotional challenges of illness.

Art Education and Communication

Art education is often overlooked as a means of improving communication skills, yet it has been proven to be a valuable tool for fostering better communication and understanding among individuals. In this section of the article, we will explore how art education can improve communication skills, the impact of visual art on communication, and how art education can foster empathy and understanding.

Express Visually

Learning to express visually can help people who may struggle with oral communication to communicate their thoughts and ideas more effectively. By creating art, students can develop their ability to communicate through visual cues and symbolism, which can be valuable skills in fields such as graphic design and advertising.

Moreover, visual art has a unique impact on communication.

Visual art can be used to express sentiments, views, and messages in a way that language alone cannot. By studying visual art, students can develop an understanding of how to use color, form, and composition to communicate their message effectively. This craft can be used in a broad spectrum of fields, including marketing, education, and media.

Art Foster Empathy and Understanding

In addition to improving communication skills, art education can foster compassion and insight. Through the study of art, students are exposed to a range of perspectives and ideas that may be different from their own. This exposure can lead to greater empathy and understanding for others, as well as a broader perspective on the world around them. Art education can also provide a safe space for students to express their emotions and experiences, which can help foster a sense of empathy and understanding for others.

By creating art that reflects their own experiences, students can develop a greater understanding of themselves and their place in the world, as well as empathy for others who may have had similar experiences.

Art Education and Cultural Awareness

Art education has the potential to be a powerful tool for promoting cultural awareness and understanding. In this part of the article, we will explore how art education can teach cultural diversity, the importance of understanding different art forms, and how art can transcend language barriers.

Art Teaches Cultural Diversity

One of the ways that art education can teach cultural diversity is by exposing students to a variety of art forms from different cultures. By studying art from different regions of the world, students can gain a greater understanding of different cultural traditions and practices.

This exposure can help students develop empathy and understanding for people from different backgrounds, as well as a broader perspective on the world around them.

The Importance of Understanding Different Art Forms

Moreover, understanding different art forms is essential to understanding different cultures. Art is a reflection of cultural beliefs, values, and traditions, and studying different art forms can provide valuable insights into the cultural practices of a particular community. By studying different art forms, students can develop a deeper understanding of the history and context behind the art, as well as the cultural significance of particular art forms.

Art Transcends Language Barriers

Art also has the ability to surpass language borders. Art can communicate ideas and emotions in a way that words alone cannot. Through art, individuals can express their cultural identity, share their experiences, and communicate their ideas with others. This ability to communicate through art can be particularly powerful in situations where language barriers may exist.

In addition, art education can help students develop the skills necessary to create art that transcends language barriers.

By studying the impact of color, form, and composition on the viewer, students can learn to communicate their message effectively through visual cues and symbolism. This skill can be particularly valuable in fields such as advertising, graphic design, and media, where effective communication is essential.

Art Education and Career Development

Art education is often overlooked when considering the path to a successful career. However, the truth is that a strong foundation in the arts can have a powerful effect on career expansion. In this article, we will explore how art education can enhance career prospects, the impact of art on innovation and entrepreneurship, and the growing importance of creativity in the workplace.

Art Education Can Enhance Career Prospects

One of the keyways that art education can enhance career prospects is by developing skills that are highly sought after in the job market. Art education teaches skills which are highly transferable and applicable in a broad scope of industries. In addition, art education also develops skills such as communication, collaboration, and adaptability, which are essential in today’s fast-paced work environment.

The Impact of Art on Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Art education also plays a critical role in fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. The arts have long been a source of inspiration for inventors, designers, and entrepreneurs, and art education can provide the necessary skills to turn creative ideas into tangible products and services.

By encouraging originality and imagination, art education enables individuals to think outside the box, take risks, and innovate.

The Growing Importance of Creativity in the Workplace

Furthermore, creativity is becoming more essential in the professional space. As technology continues to advance and automation becomes more prevalent, creativity is becoming a key differentiator in the job market. Employers are searching for people who can bring new and innovative ideas to the table and think creatively about problem-solving. Art education can help individuals develop the skills necessary to meet these demands and stand out in a competitive job market.

Art Education and Personal Growth

Art education is not just about learning how to draw or paint; it can also be a mighty instrument for individual development and expansion. In this article, we will explore how art education can contribute to personal growth, the impact of art on self-expression, and the role of art in self-discovery.

Art Education and Personal Growth and Development

One of the keyways that art education can contribute to personal growth is by providing a space for self-expression. Through creating art, individuals can express their emotions, thoughts, and ideas in a way that may not be achievable through oral communication alone.

Art can provide a safe and supportive environment for individuals to explore and express their inner selves, which can lead to a greater sense of self-awareness and self-acceptance.

The Impact of Art on Self-Expression

In addition to self-expression, art can also play a significant role in self-discovery. Through creating art, people can explore their identity, values, and beliefs, which can lead to a deeper knowledge of themselves and the world around them. Art can also provide a means of reflection and introspection, allowing individuals to explore their inner selves and gain insight into their thoughts and feelings.

The Role of Art in Self-Discovery

Moreover, art education can also help individuals develop key personal growth skills such as resilience, perseverance, and self-discipline. Creating art demands practice, patience, and a willingness to take risks and make mistakes. Through the process of creating art, individuals can develop these essential skills, which can have a favorable influence on their individual and professional lives.

Art Education and Technology

In today’s increasingly digital world, the intersection of art education and technology has become more important than ever before. Here, we will explore how art education can foster technological literacy, the role of art in advancing technology, and the future of art and technology.

Technological Literacy

Art education can foster technological literacy by providing opportunities for students to engage with technology in a creative and meaningful way. Through the integration of technology into art education, students can develop skills in digital media, graphic design, animation, and other areas that are in high demand in today’s job market.

By learning how to use technology to create art, students can gain valuable experience and knowledge that can help them succeed in a variety of fields.

Advancing Technology

Furthermore, the role of art in advancing technology should not be underestimated. The creative and innovative ideas of artists and designers have driven many technological advances. For example, 3D printing technology was initially developed as a tool for creating prototypes in the field of industrial design. Today, it has expanded to other fields such as medicine and engineering.

Artistic experimentation and exploration can lead to new applications and uses for technology, making it more accessible and useful to society.

The Future of Art and Technology

Looking towards the future, the relationship between art and technology is likely to continue to evolve and grow. Virtual reality and augmented reality technologies offer fresh opportunities for artists to create immersive and engaging experiences for audiences. Art and technology collaborations can lead to breakthroughs in domains such as pharmaceuticals, transportation, and transmission.

As technology persists to progress, the potential for art and technology to intersect and influence each other is limitless.

Art Education and the Economy

Art education and the arts, in general, have a noteworthy influence on the economy, both in the local field and internationally. Let us explore the economic impact of the arts, the importance of art education for economic growth, and the role of art in community development.

The Economic Impact of the Arts

The financial effect of the arts cannot be overstated. The creative industries, including the visual arts, performing arts, design, and more, contribute billions of dollars to the economy each year. In the United States, the arts and cultural sector contributed $877.8 billion to the economy in 2017, which is roughly 4.5% of the country’s GDP.

This includes not only the direct economic impact of the arts, such as jobs and revenues, but also the indirect impact, such as increased tourism and cultural attraction.

Art and Economic Growth

Art education plays a vital role in fostering economic growth by preparing individuals for careers in the creative industries. By providing training in the visual arts, performing arts, and other creative fields, art education equips individuals with the skills and competencies necessary to succeed in these industries.

In addition, art education can provide individuals with transferable skills, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication, which are valuable in many other fields.

The Role of Art in Community Development

Moreover, art can play a crucial role in societal development. The presence of arts and cultural organizations can help to revitalize communities, attract tourists, and stimulate economic growth. Public art, such as murals and sculptures, can help to beautify neighborhoods and create a sense of place.

Community-based arts programs, such as after-school programs and summer camps, can provide youth with opportunities to explore their creativity and develop skills that will serve them well in the future.

Art Education and Social Justice

Art education can significantly promote social justice by fostering critical thinking, promoting empathy, and providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives. In this section of the article, we will explore how art education can promote social justice, the impact of art on social issues, and the role of art in activism and advocacy.

Art Education and the Promotion of Social Justice

Art education can promote social justice by providing students with a space to explore issues of equity and inclusion. Through the study of art, students can learn about the history and cultural context of different art forms and artists, as well as the social and political issues that have influenced them.

Additionally, art education can provide students with the tools and skills necessary to create art that challenges social norms and promotes social justice.

The Impact of Art on Social Issues

Art can have a powerful impact on social issues by raising awareness, promoting dialogue, and inspiring action. Art can serve as a medium for expressing ideas and emotions, as well as challenging societal norms and beliefs. Art can also serve as a means of storytelling, giving voice to marginalized communities and highlighting their experiences.

Art, Activism, and Advocacy

The function of art in activism and advocacy cannot be overstated. Artists and art organizations have long used their platforms to advocate for social change and advance social justice. From the civil rights movement to the Black Lives Matter movement, art has been used to bring attention to issues of racial injustice, inequality, and discrimination.

Through art, individuals and communities can create a space for themselves and their perspectives, challenging the status quo and inspiring others to join their cause.

Where to Study Art?

There are many great schools in the United States that offer high-quality art education programs. Here we will list just a few of the famous art schools in the United States. Each school has its own unique strengths and offerings, so it’s vital to do your investigation and select a course that aligns with your interests and objectives:

• Rhode Island School of Design (RISD): Located in Providence, Rhode Island, RISD is consistently ranked as one of the top art schools in the world. The institute presents an expansive range of undergraduate and graduate programs in fine arts, design, and architecture.
• School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC): SAIC is a premier art school located in the heart of Chicago, Illinois. The academy offers programs in an assortment of fields, including painting, sculpture, photography, and performance art.
• California Institute of the Arts (CalArts): Located in Valencia, California, CalArts is a private art school that is known for its innovative programs in film, animation, and visual arts. The school also offers programs in music, dance, and theater.
• Pratt Institute: Located in Brooklyn, New York, Pratt is a highly regarded art and design school that offers undergraduate and graduate programs in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, fashion design, and graphic design.
• Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art: Located in New York City, Cooper Union is a prestigious school that offers undergraduate programs in art, architecture, and engineering. The school is known for its rigorous curriculum and its commitment to providing students with an all-round education.

In conclusion, the benefits of studying art are numerous and far-reaching. From promoting critical thinking, creativity, and empathy, to enhancing communication skills and cultural awareness, art education can contribute to personal growth, career development, and social justice. Moreover, the impact of art on mental health, technology, and the economy cannot be overstated. Studying art is not just about learning to create beautiful works of art, but it is also about developing skills and perspectives that are essential for success in various fields and for personal well-being. Therefore, it is imperative that art education continues to be supported and valued by individuals, communities, and policymakers. By investing in art education, we invest in the future of our society and the growth of individuals as thinkers, innovators, and agents of change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an art study.

Art education is a form of instruction that focuses on the study and practice of visual and performing arts. It involves developing skills and knowledge related to various art forms, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, music, dance, and theater. Art education can take place in various settings, such as schools, community centers, museums, and private studios, and can be taught by professional artists or trained educators.

How Does Art Education Benefit Students?

Art education offers numerous benefits to students. It promotes creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, as well as self-expression and confidence. Art education also fosters cultural awareness, empathy, and understanding, and can help students develop better communication and collaboration skills. Moreover, research suggests that involvement in the arts can have positive impacts on academic achievement and mental health. Through art education, students can develop a deeper appreciation for the arts and their own unique abilities, while gaining valuable skills and experiences that can benefit them throughout their lives.

Is Art a Subject in School Anyone Can Take?

​​Yes, anyone can learn art! Art is a skill that can be developed through practice and guidance, much like any other skill. While some people may have a natural talent or inclination for the arts, this does not mean that others cannot learn to create beautiful and meaningful works of art. Art education provides individuals with the opportunity to explore their own artistic interests and abilities, and to develop their skills and knowledge in various art forms. With the right resources and support, anyone can learn and benefit from the study of art.

What Are the Different Forms of Art Education?

Art education can take various forms depending on the setting, the instructor, and the goals of the program. In schools, art education may be taught as a standalone subject, such as visual arts or music, or integrated into other subjects, such as language arts or social studies. Art education can also take place in community centers, museums, and private studios, where individuals can take classes or workshops in specific art forms or techniques. Additionally, online resources and platforms offer opportunities for self-guided learning and virtual instruction. Art education can be taught by professional artists, educators, or volunteers, and can range from introductory to advanced levels of instruction.

How Does Art Education Impact Society?

Art education has a significant impact on society. It promotes cultural awareness and diversity, and can serve as a tool for social justice and advocacy. Art education also stimulates innovation, creativity, and critical thinking, which are crucial for economic and technological development. Moreover, involvement in the arts has been shown to have positive effects on mental health and well-being and can improve academic performance and career prospects. Through art education, individuals are empowered to express themselves, explore new ideas, and develop new skills and perspectives, contributing to a more vibrant and engaged society.

What Are Some Common Misconceptions About Art Education?

There are some common misconceptions about art education that are worth addressing. One of them is the belief that art education is only for individuals who are naturally talented or interested in the arts. Another misconception is that art education is a luxury or an extracurricular activity that is not essential for academic or career success. Additionally, some people may assume that art education is only about creating aesthetically pleasing works of art, and that it has no practical value. These misconceptions overlook the many benefits of art education, such as promoting creativity, critical thinking, and cultural awareness, as well as improving mental health and well-being. It’s important to recognize that art education is a valuable and accessible opportunity for personal and societal growth and development.

Nicolene Burger is a South African multi-media artist, working primarily in oil paint and performance art. She received her BA (Visual Arts) from Stellenbosch University in 2017. In 2018, Burger showed in Masan, South Korea as part of the Rhizome Artist Residency. She was selected to take part in the 2019 ICA Live Art Workshop, receiving training from art experts all around the world. In 2019 Burger opened her first solo exhibition of paintings titled, Painted Mantras, at GUS Gallery and facilitated a group collaboration project titled, Take Flight, selected to be part of Infecting the City Live Art Festival. At the moment, Nicolene is completing a practice-based master’s degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town.

In 2020, Nicolene created a series of ZOOM performances with Lumkile Mzayiya called, Evoked?. These performances led her to create exclusive performances from her home in 2021 to accommodate the mid-pandemic audience. She also started focusing more on the sustainability of creative practices in the last 3 years and now offers creative coaching sessions to artists of all kinds. By sharing what she has learned from a 10-year practice, Burger hopes to relay more directly the sense of vulnerability with which she makes art and the core belief to her practice: Art is an immensely important and powerful bridge of communication that can offer understanding, healing and connection.

Nicolene writes our blog posts on art history with an emphasis on renowned artists and contemporary art. She also writes in the field of art industry. Her extensive artistic background and her studies in Fine and Studio Arts contribute to her expertise in the field.

Learn more about Nicolene Burger and the Art in Context Team .

Cite this Article

Nicolene, Burger, “Why Study Art? – The Power to Unleashing Creativity.” Art in Context. January 18, 2024. URL: https://artincontext.org/why-study-art/

Burger, N. (2024, 18 January). Why Study Art? – The Power to Unleashing Creativity. Art in Context. https://artincontext.org/why-study-art/

Burger, Nicolene. “Why Study Art? – The Power to Unleashing Creativity.” Art in Context , January 18, 2024. https://artincontext.org/why-study-art/ .

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Why Study History? (1998)

In 2020, Peter N. Stearns revisited his “Why Study History? (1998)” essay with “ Why Study History? Revisited ” in Perspectives on History .

By Peter N. Stearns

People live in the present. They plan for and worry about the future. History, however, is the study of the past. Given all the demands that press in from living in the present and anticipating what is yet to come, why bother with what has been? Given all the desirable and available branches of knowledge, why insist—as most American educational programs do—on a good bit of history? And why urge many students to study even more history than they are required to?

Any subject of study needs justification: its advocates must explain why it is worth attention. Most widely accepted subjects—and history is certainly one of them—attract some people who simply like the information and modes of thought involved. But audiences less spontaneously drawn to the subject and more doubtful about why to bother need to know what the purpose is.

Historians do not perform heart transplants, improve highway design, or arrest criminals. In a society that quite correctly expects education to serve useful purposes, the functions of history can seem more difficult to define than those of engineering or medicine. History is in fact very useful, actually indispensable, but the products of historical study are less tangible, sometimes less immediate, than those that stem from some other disciplines.

In the past history has been justified for reasons we would no longer accept. For instance, one of the reasons history holds its place in current education is because earlier leaders believed that a knowledge of certain historical facts helped distinguish the educated from the uneducated; the person who could reel off the date of the Norman conquest of England (1066) or the name of the person who came up with the theory of evolution at about the same time that Darwin did (Wallace) was deemed superior—a better candidate for law school or even a business promotion. Knowledge of historical facts has been used as a screening device in many societies, from China to the United States, and the habit is still with us to some extent. Unfortunately, this use can encourage mindless memorization—a real but not very appealing aspect of the discipline. History should be studied because it is essential to individuals and to society, and because it harbors beauty. There are many ways to discuss the real functions of the subject—as there are many different historical talents and many different paths to historical meaning. All definitions of history's utility, however, rely on two fundamental facts.

History Helps Us Understand People and Societies

In the first place, history offers a storehouse of information about how people and societies behave. Understanding the operations of people and societies is difficult, though a number of disciplines make the attempt. An exclusive reliance on current data would needlessly handicap our efforts. How can we evaluate war if the nation is at peace—unless we use historical materials? How can we understand genius, the influence of technological innovation, or the role that beliefs play in shaping family life, if we don't use what we know about experiences in the past? Some social scientists attempt to formulate laws or theories about human behavior. But even these recourses depend on historical information, except for in limited, often artificial cases in which experiments can be devised to determine how people act. Major aspects of a society's operation, like mass elections, missionary activities, or military alliances, cannot be set up as precise experiments. Consequently, history must serve, however imperfectly, as our laboratory, and data from the past must serve as our most vital evidence in the unavoidable quest to figure out why our complex species behaves as it does in societal settings. This, fundamentally, is why we cannot stay away from history: it offers the only extensive evidential base for the contemplation and analysis of how societies function, and people need to have some sense of how societies function simply to run their own lives.

History Helps Us Understand Change and How the Society We Live in Came to Be

The second reason history is inescapable as a subject of serious study follows closely on the first. The past causes the present, and so the future. Any time we try to know why something happened—whether a shift in political party dominance in the American Congress, a major change in the teenage suicide rate, or a war in the Balkans or the Middle East—we have to look for factors that took shape earlier. Sometimes fairly recent history will suffice to explain a major development, but often we need to look further back to identify the causes of change. Only through studying history can we grasp how things change; only through history can we begin to comprehend the factors that cause change; and only through history can we understand what elements of an institution or a society persist despite change.

The Importance of History in Our Own Lives

These two fundamental reasons for studying history underlie more specific and quite diverse uses of history in our own lives. History well told is beautiful. Many of the historians who most appeal to the general reading public know the importance of dramatic and skillful writing—as well as of accuracy. Biography and military history appeal in part because of the tales they contain. History as art and entertainment serves a real purpose, on aesthetic grounds but also on the level of human understanding. Stories well done are stories that reveal how people and societies have actually functioned, and they prompt thoughts about the human experience in other times and places. The same aesthetic and humanistic goals inspire people to immerse themselves in efforts to reconstruct quite remote pasts, far removed from immediate, present-day utility. Exploring what historians sometimes call the "pastness of the past"—the ways people in distant ages constructed their lives—involves a sense of beauty and excitement, and ultimately another perspective on human life and society.

History Contributes to Moral Understanding

History also provides a terrain for moral contemplation. Studying the stories of individuals and situations in the past allows a student of history to test his or her own moral sense, to hone it against some of the real complexities individuals have faced in difficult settings. People who have weathered adversity not just in some work of fiction, but in real, historical circumstances can provide inspiration. "History teaching by example" is one phrase that describes this use of a study of the past—a study not only of certifiable heroes, the great men and women of history who successfully worked through moral dilemmas, but also of more ordinary people who provide lessons in courage, diligence, or constructive protest.

History Provides Identity

History also helps provide identity, and this is unquestionably one of the reasons all modern nations encourage its teaching in some form. Historical data include evidence about how families, groups, institutions and whole countries were formed and about how they have evolved while retaining cohesion. For many Americans, studying the history of one's own family is the most obvious use of history, for it provides facts about genealogy and (at a slightly more complex level) a basis for understanding how the family has interacted with larger historical change. Family identity is established and confirmed. Many institutions, businesses, communities, and social units, such as ethnic groups in the United States, use history for similar identity purposes. Merely defining the group in the present pales against the possibility of forming an identity based on a rich past. And of course nations use identity history as well—and sometimes abuse it. Histories that tell the national story, emphasizing distinctive features of the national experience, are meant to drive home an understanding of national values and a commitment to national loyalty.

Studying History Is Essential for Good Citizenship

A study of history is essential for good citizenship. This is the most common justification for the place of history in school curricula. Sometimes advocates of citizenship history hope merely to promote national identity and loyalty through a history spiced by vivid stories and lessons in individual success and morality. But the importance of history for citizenship goes beyond this narrow goal and can even challenge it at some points.

History that lays the foundation for genuine citizenship returns, in one sense, to the essential uses of the study of the past. History provides data about the emergence of national institutions, problems, and values—it's the only significant storehouse of such data available. It offers evidence also about how nations have interacted with other societies, providing international and comparative perspectives essential for responsible citizenship. Further, studying history helps us understand how recent, current, and prospective changes that affect the lives of citizens are emerging or may emerge and what causes are involved. More important, studying history encourages habits of mind that are vital for responsible public behavior, whether as a national or community leader, an informed voter, a petitioner, or a simple observer.

What Skills Does a Student of History Develop?

What does a well-trained student of history, schooled to work on past materials and on case studies in social change, learn how to do? The list is manageable, but it contains several overlapping categories.

The Ability to Assess Evidence . The study of history builds experience in dealing with and assessing various kinds of evidence—the sorts of evidence historians use in shaping the most accurate pictures of the past that they can. Learning how to interpret the statements of past political leaders—one kind of evidence—helps form the capacity to distinguish between the objective and the self-serving among statements made by present-day political leaders. Learning how to combine different kinds of evidence—public statements, private records, numerical data, visual materials—develops the ability to make coherent arguments based on a variety of data. This skill can also be applied to information encountered in everyday life.

The Ability to Assess Conflicting Interpretations . Learning history means gaining some skill in sorting through diverse, often conflicting interpretations. Understanding how societies work—the central goal of historical study—is inherently imprecise, and the same certainly holds true for understanding what is going on in the present day. Learning how to identify and evaluate conflicting interpretations is an essential citizenship skill for which history, as an often-contested laboratory of human experience, provides training. This is one area in which the full benefits of historical study sometimes clash with the narrower uses of the past to construct identity. Experience in examining past situations provides a constructively critical sense that can be applied to partisan claims about the glories of national or group identity. The study of history in no sense undermines loyalty or commitment, but it does teach the need for assessing arguments, and it provides opportunities to engage in debate and achieve perspective.

Experience in Assessing Past Examples of Change . Experience in assessing past examples of change is vital to understanding change in society today—it's an essential skill in what we are regularly told is our "ever-changing world." Analysis of change means developing some capacity for determining the magnitude and significance of change, for some changes are more fundamental than others. Comparing particular changes to relevant examples from the past helps students of history develop this capacity. The ability to identify the continuities that always accompany even the most dramatic changes also comes from studying history, as does the skill to determine probable causes of change. Learning history helps one figure out, for example, if one main factor—such as a technological innovation or some deliberate new policy—accounts for a change or whether, as is more commonly the case, a number of factors combine to generate the actual change that occurs.

Historical study, in sum, is crucial to the promotion of that elusive creature, the well-informed citizen. It provides basic factual information about the background of our political institutions and about the values and problems that affect our social well-being. It also contributes to our capacity to use evidence, assess interpretations, and analyze change and continuities. No one can ever quite deal with the present as the historian deals with the past—we lack the perspective for this feat; but we can move in this direction by applying historical habits of mind, and we will function as better citizens in the process.

History Is Useful in the World of Work

History is useful for work. Its study helps create good businesspeople, professionals, and political leaders. The number of explicit professional jobs for historians is considerable, but most people who study history do not become professional historians. Professional historians teach at various levels, work in museums and media centers, do historical research for businesses or public agencies, or participate in the growing number of historical consultancies. These categories are important—indeed vital—to keep the basic enterprise of history going, but most people who study history use their training for broader professional purposes. Students of history find their experience directly relevant to jobs in a variety of careers as well as to further study in fields like law and public administration. Employers often deliberately seek students with the kinds of capacities historical study promotes. The reasons are not hard to identify: students of history acquire, by studying different phases of the past and different societies in the past, a broad perspective that gives them the range and flexibility required in many work situations. They develop research skills, the ability to find and evaluate sources of information, and the means to identify and evaluate diverse interpretations. Work in history also improves basic writing and speaking skills and is directly relevant to many of the analytical requirements in the public and private sectors, where the capacity to identify, assess, and explain trends is essential. Historical study is unquestionably an asset for a variety of work and professional situations, even though it does not, for most students, lead as directly to a particular job slot, as do some technical fields. But history particularly prepares students for the long haul in their careers, its qualities helping adaptation and advancement beyond entry-level employment. There is no denying that in our society many people who are drawn to historical study worry about relevance. In our changing economy, there is concern about job futures in most fields. Historical training is not, however, an indulgence; it applies directly to many careers and can clearly help us in our working lives.

Why study history? The answer is because we virtually must, to gain access to the laboratory of human experience. When we study it reasonably well, and so acquire some usable habits of mind, as well as some basic data about the forces that affect our own lives, we emerge with relevant skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking, and simple awareness. The uses of history are varied. Studying history can help us develop some literally "salable" skills, but its study must not be pinned down to the narrowest utilitarianism. Some history—that confined to personal recollections about changes and continuities in the immediate environment—is essential to function beyond childhood. Some history depends on personal taste, where one finds beauty, the joy of discovery, or intellectual challenge. Between the inescapable minimum and the pleasure of deep commitment comes the history that, through cumulative skill in interpreting the unfolding human record, provides a real grasp of how the world works.

Careers for History Majors

Through clear graphs and informal prose, readers will find hard data, practical advice, and answers to common questions about the study of history and the value it affords to individuals, their workplaces, and their communities in Careers for History Majors . You can purchase this pamphlet online at Oxford University Press. For questions about the pamphlet, please contact Karen Lou ( [email protected] ). For bulk orders contact OUP directly . 

What You'll Learn with a History Degree

What do history students learn? With the help of the AHA, faculty from around the United States have collaborated to create a list of skills students develop in their history coursework. This list, called the "History Discipline Core," is meant to help students understand the skills they are acquiring so that they can explain the value of their education to parents, friends, and employers, as well as take pride in their decision to study history. 

Why Everyone Should Study Art History

Education aside, history is a fascinating and necessary aspect of every culture and tradition. It is essential to know your history so that you can remain deep-rooted in your culture, values, and practices. In colleges, it is imperative to study art history, especially if you are an art student.

Art history’s importance cannot be overstated; it goes beyond paintings, sculptures, and artifacts. It is a course that enriches your life, broadens your imagination, and shows you how the world used to be. There are loads of free essays, examples, research papers, and topics that give in-depth information about art and cultures. There are many art history essay examples that you can use to educate yourself. You can find those examples for free online on many reliable sources.

What Is Art History?

Simply put, it is a study that provides a way for human beings to learn more about and understand our past, past relationships, and way of living. It helps us compare it to the present to know what has changed, what has evolved, and what still remains the same.

When you study the history of art, you learn to talk about and write about different forms of art from different periods and places.

What Does It Mean to Study Art History?

Studying art history entails a lot of things, but the first thing is that you will learn the fundamental skills necessary and unique to art historians.

Studying this subject is almost as enjoyable as playing a period video game. It means looking at and accessing a piece of art, trying to see it from that original artist’s point of view. It means carefully studying the texture, approach, authenticity, use of lines, compositions, and shape, and trying to make meaning out of what you see. It means trying to make your own inference as to any art you come across, trying to know what makes it stand out, and trying to imagine the level of thought the artist must have put into it.

Studying art history means appreciating art for what it is and knowing the difference between the basics and art masterpieces .

What Are the Benefits of Studying Art History?

There are many advantages of studying art history, especially if it directly relates to your culture, beliefs, and traditions. Here are some of the benefits of studying art history.

Art History Improves Your Skills

Art goes way beyond just observing a picture and memorizing the name of the artist, the production date, and the canvas type used. When you learn about this subject, you become a pro at visual analysis, critical thinking, and close-to-perfect written communication.

Art History Tells You More About Your Past

Remember that art history is YOUR history. It is the way your forefathers expressed themselves and lived. You don’t have to be from the same place as the artist, but we are all humans, and that makes any piece of art history ours too. Art tells you so much about your culture, your tradition, and how things were done before civilization and digital technology came to be. In the process of studying art , you will gain a deeper connection and more insight into your past, which is something everyone should try to do.

Art History Teaches You Integration

One of the significant things about studying art history is that it teaches you how to integrate the past into your present. It teaches you the step-by-step ways technology has evolved over time. You gain a deeper understanding of literature, plays, drawings, and even science.

You learn to integrate data from various sources and interpret the information to make sense.