Art history is an interdisciplinary field of study that examines the history, development, and meaning of the visual arts. It focuses on the works of art themselves as well as the social, political, and cultural contexts in which they were created.
Art history majors learn about major artistic movements and periods throughout art history, as well as exploring subjects such as aesthetics, technique, patronage, and conservation.
Students enrolled in an art history major will start by taking introductory courses that focus on art from prehistory to the present day. These classes will often involve lectures about the various artistic movements throughout the years and how styles evolved in different regions.
Students will also learn about how individual artists fit into these larger movements.
In addition to courses focused on particular time periods or kinds of art, students taking an art history major can expect to take classes focusing on specific areas of interest. Popular topics for these specialized classes include Medieval Art, Renaissance Art, Baroque Art, Modern Art, Islamic Art, African Art and Native American Art. Other classes may cover topics such as photography or digital media.
In addition to classroom learning and lectures, many college-level art history courses involve research projects or internships with museums or other cultural institutions. This kind of hands-on experience provides opportunities for students to gain direct exposure to works of art and gain valuable insights into how artwork is collected and preserved.
Conclusion:
An art history major provides a comprehensive overview of the visual arts throughout time. Through coursework and research experiences with museums and other institutions, students learn about different artistic movements and styles along with related topics such as aesthetics, technique, patronage and conservation.