The word ‘Canon’ has been used in various contexts throughout the centuries, but it has a particular significance when talking about the history of art. It refers to a set of standards or guidelines used to evaluate the quality and merit of artwork, and it can be seen as a way of legitimising certain works or artists within an artistic tradition.
The idea of a canon has its roots in classical antiquity, where it was used to refer to the body of literature that was considered essential for education in Greek and Roman culture. This same concept was adopted by art historians, who developed their own criteria for judging artworks and determining which ones were worthy of being included in their historical narrative.
The canon has changed over time as new movements have emerged and existing ones have faded away. In the 19th century, for example, Impressionism replaced Neoclassicism as the dominant style, while modernism replaced traditionalism at the turn of the 20th century. This changing landscape has meant that different groups of artists have been included or excluded from the canon at various points in history.
The criteria used to determine which artwork is worthy of inclusion in an art historical canon can vary depending on who is making the judgement. Generally speaking, however, it tends to focus on aesthetic merit, originality and innovation. Works must often conform to particular stylistic conventions or adhere to certain cultural or ideological values in order to be considered part of an art historical narrative.
In recent years, there has been increasing debate over who is included within the canon and how these criteria are applied. Many critics argue that there needs to be greater diversity within the canon in order to reflect contemporary society more accurately, while others argue that certain works should not be judged solely on their aesthetic merits but on their cultural importance as well.
Ultimately, what does it mean for something to be part of an artistic tradition? It means that it is considered an exemplary work by those who strive for excellence within that tradition – whether they are critics or artists themselves – and it is seen as being significant enough to influence future generations of creative practitioners. The canon may no longer hold absolute authority as it once did but its influence still remains strong today and will continue shaping our understanding of art history for years to come.
Conclusion:
What does the Canon mean in Art History? It is a set of criteria used by art historians and critics when evaluating works for inclusion within an artistic tradition; one which takes into account aesthetic merit, originality and innovation as well as cultural relevance when making judgements about which pieces are worthy enough for preservation within our collective memory.