Who Is the Founder of Art History?

Art|Art History

Art history is a vast and fascinating field of study that is often overlooked by many people. As its name implies, art history is the study of the history of art, from its earliest beginnings to modern times.

It encompasses a wide range of topics, including the philosophy, history, and science behind art production and consumption. It also explores the social and political implications of art and its place in society.

The field of art history has been practiced for centuries but it was not until the 19th century that it began to be formalized as an academic discipline. The first person credited with developing a systematic approach to studying and writing about art is German scholar Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717–1768). He was a classical archaeologist who wrote extensively on ancient Greek and Roman sculpture, painting, and architecture.

Winckelmann’s work laid the foundation for much of what we know today about ancient art. He was also one of the first scholars to suggest that artistic styles could be classified according to their historical period or geographical location. His theories on artistic development were influential throughout Europe.

Winckelmann’s writings provided the basis for further research in the field and helped establish it as an academic discipline. In 1867 German historian Georg von Laubinger published History of Art, which is considered to be one of the earliest comprehensive surveys of world art history. This book laid out a framework for understanding works from different periods and cultures.

Since then, many other scholars have made invaluable contributions to our understanding of art history. These include such figures as Alois Riegl (1858–1905), Karl Woermann (1842–1907), Heinrich Wölfflin (1864–1945), Ernst Gombrich (1909–2001), EH Gombrich (1909-2001) and Michael Baxandall (1933-2008).

Today, art historians continue to expand our knowledge about this fascinating field through their research and writing. From examining artwork from different time periods to exploring its cultural context, they are constantly pushing boundaries in their quest for greater insight into our past.

In conclusion, Johann Joachim Winckelmann is widely considered to be the founder of modern art history due to his pioneering work in classifying artwork according to its historical period or geographical location.