Why is Art History So Eurocentric?
The history of art is often considered to be a Eurocentric narrative – one that centres around the artistic and cultural achievements of European countries. This narrative can be traced back to the Renaissance, when Europe was at the forefront of artistic and intellectual development, producing some of the most influential works in history. This dominance has continued throughout the centuries, with European masters such as Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Monet becoming some of the most renowned figures in art history.
This Eurocentric narrative is perpetuated by a variety of factors. Firstly, it has been argued that European art has been privileged in educational institutions and museums due to its monetary value.
Historically, these institutions have been more likely to acquire, display and teach works from the European canon than those from other parts of the world. This means that those studying art are more likely to be exposed to European artwork rather than artwork from other parts of the world.
Additionally, there is an issue surrounding access to artwork from different cultures. The majority of major collections are held in Western institutions such as museums or libraries which can often be difficult for people outside of these locations to access or visit. As a result, they may not be exposed to artwork from different cultures or regions which further reinforces this Eurocentric narrative.
Moreover, it could also be argued that this narrative is perpetuated by Western media outlets who are often reluctant to cover non-Western forms of art or depict them as inferior compared to their Western counterparts. This can lead to a distorted view of what ‘great’ art looks like and further entrench this Eurocentric viewpoint within our culture.
Despite these issues there have been some attempts in recent years to challenge this narrative and bring attention to non-Western forms of art. For example, educational institutions are starting to include more global perspectives within their curriculum and museums are beginning to acquire artwork from different cultures or regions in order to create a more diverse collection. These changes are helping people become more aware of non-Western artistic traditions which can help foster greater appreciation for different forms of art and reduce this Eurocentric mentality within our culture.
In conclusion, it is clear that the history of art is heavily dominated by a Eurocentric narrative which many argue has resulted in certain forms being privileged over others when it comes to educational institutions and major collections. However, efforts are being made in recent years in order break down this narrative by introducing more global perspectives into our culture through increased exposure and access to artwork from different cultures or regions around the world .
Conclusion
Art history has long been dominated by a Eurocentric narrative which privileges certain forms over others when it comes education and major collections across Europe . This has resulted in many artists from other parts around the world being overlooked or underrepresented when compared with their European counterparts .However , steps are being taken towards challenging this narrative with increased exposure , access ,and education about diverse forms of artwork being made available across Europe .