History of Art

For 30,000 years, art has shed light on the human experience. Developing a knowledge of the history of art (fortunately) need not take that long.

Art has always dealt with themes of nature, the human body, realism, politics, and religion.

In this 6-lesson course, you'll build a foundation in art history and gain a deep understanding of art and the artists who create it. Studying with emerging artist Carolina Caycedo, you'll explore profound themes that have concerned artists for centuries: nature, the human body, society, religion, and politics.

Through engaging lectures and projects, you'll learn how to identify the mediums, materials, and techniques artists use and discuss the styles of important artists, art movements, and historical periods from antiquity through the mid-20th century.

The course focuses on developing skill in the critical analysis of art. Written assignments, quizzes, discussions, exams, video tutorials, and even museum visits and art-making will help you understand and remember important concepts as you learn.

This course is important for any student with a serious passion for the fine arts or design. You'll gain insight and inspiration as you produce your own art and design work or simply observe the creative world around you.

Carolina Caycedo is an emerging contemporary artist . ... get bio

Develop an understanding of the materials and techniques used in drawings, paintings, prints, and sculptures.

Identify and discuss key turning points in the history of art and their impact on styles and techniques.

Knowledgably analyze and discuss art with different historical periods and art movements including Classical Greece and Rome, Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism, and early 20th century styles.

Identify distinguishing features of signature works of great artists.

Develop a critical vocabulary for discussing and analyzing art.

Develop an understanding of the theme of nature in art and its relationship to abstraction.

Develop an understanding of the representation of the human body in art and how it has changed in different eras.

Develop an understanding of the theme of realism in art and how artists throughout the ages have approached the subject.

Develop an understanding of the role of religion in art in the East and West through ritual objects, architecture, and artwork.

Develop an understanding of the role of power and protest in art from the Middle Ages onwards.

LESSON 1 The Language of Art Lesson One begins by exploring the nature of art, the aesthetic experience, and the artistic process. You'll learn how to identify the visual elements in an artist's composition and study some of the important mediums, materials, and techniques used in creating art throughout the ages: drawing, painting, sculpture, and printmaking. To develop tools for thinking about art, you'll examine about some of the critical methodologies academics and writers have used to analyze art. In the exercise, you'll apply these concepts by writing a report of an exhibition visit and analyzing your favorite artwork.

LESSON 2 Looking at Nature Since the dawn of history, art has been influenced by natural world. Lesson Two explores how artists have looked at nature, beginning with cave art and early Egyptian, Islamic, and Chinese art, and extending through the Renaissance and Baroque periods to the 19th and 20th century. You'll learn how and why the representation of nature changed at critical junctures and explore the relationship between nature and abstractionism. In the exercise, you'll research and analyze artworks that address natural themes and critique examples of abstract art.

LESSON 3 Art and the Human Body The human figure has always been a favorite subject for artists. Since ancient times, painters and sculptors have portrayed the most important people in their societies. In Lesson Three, you will study not just the treatment of the human body throughout the history, but also the motivations and psychological factors involved in portraying a human subject. You'll study the idealized figures of Classical Greece and Rome, and examine how this approach evolved in the Renaissance and Baroque periods and in 19th and 20th century sculpture. You'll also learn why the body of the artist plays such an important role in the contemporary art world. In the exercise, you'll research and analyze representations of men and women in different periods.

LESSON 4 Art and the Social Realm Art is a window on society. For centuries, art has been used for all sorts of social commentary: to express political beliefs, attack social ills, criticize war and poverty, send up kings and queens, and more. Lesson Four explores how representations of society have changed throughout the ages. Topics examined include the social and historical factors in Baroque art, Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Expressionism, Social Realism, and Pop Art. In the exercise, you'll research and analyze art that addresses themes of labor, spiritual joy/leisure, injustice, love and intimacy, and spectacle.

LESSON 5 Art and Religion From Renaissance Rome to Africa, China, Japan, Central and South America (and beyond), artists have created art for religious and ritual purposes—or in modern times, grappled with spiritual and mystical themes. In Lesson Five, you'll explore the important role religion has played in art, studying ancient ritual objects, religious architecture, Byzantine mosaics, and even modern transcendental painting. The lesson will help you connect the traditional role of art in religion its modern-may manifestations, including myth, symbolism, and mysticism. In the exercise, you'll analyze a selection of religious and spiritual art works.

LESSON 6 Art and the Politics of Power Art with a social conscience can be political—a voice of protest, an attempt to spark awareness of an issue—or it can be documentary, a study of social relationships or a spotlight on a certain group of people. In Lesson Six, you will explore art's role in supporting or protesting against a specific ideology or political position. The lesson begins by examining art in Gothic cathedrals, which were once seats of political (as well as religious) power, and discussing the role of politics and patronage in Renaissance art. Then you'll learn how Dada and Surrealism emerged as art movements that challenged the values and power structure in art and study how Communists used art as propaganda. You'll wrap up with a look at Mexican revolutionary murals and modern Feminist art. In the exercise, you'll research and analyze contemporary art with a war theme and create your own political or protest collage.