Skip to main content

Article Review: Why Art History Might be the Most Important Subject You Could Study Today

The main point of this article, The Art of Learning: Why Art History Might be the Most Important Subject You Could Study Today, that's expressed throughout is that art history can teach you different ways to look at the world around you from different perspectives because you have to understand what the artist is trying to express with very little evidence to do so. Art history essentially teaches you to be sympathetic: human. However, since STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) along with many Republican senators have been pushing art history as a 'past-time activity,' the field has been nearly eclipsed by other more demanding jobs. Although, the author convinces you that it is definitely worth a shot. 

What I appreciate the most about this article is that the author stresses the importance of learning empathy through the field of art history. Since one has to understand what an artist was trying to convey through their art, in order to be good in this field, one has to have a certain level of empathy. The way the author of this article describes this importance using John Berger, an art historian made famous for his television show, "Ways of Seeing," as his example makes the article itself more human. This gives an automatic connection with the author and the reader thus giving the reader a taste of the empathy he stresses. In a world where the only thing that's important is inanimate green paper or how many Twitter followers one has; there is a dire need for more humility in society, and I respect this author for realizing that and putting it down on paper.

However, there is a consistent resentment to the Republican party in the author's article. While they absolutely have a part in the slow destruction of art history as a field of study, it doesn't help his argument. It seems that he is blaming the party more than the forced uninterest and the demand for more physical or technical jobs such as contractors or engineers that have been placed onto students all over the world. The author seems to think the dying field of art history is a surprise. Unfortunately, people have been moving away from studying art history for years. Whether it's because of senators pushing the field out of view or that people are generally not interested the subject. However, this article can definitely change your mind about that.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 14, 2017 at 8:29 AM

    I like the ancient egypt art so much;I like the picture too!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Giotto

Giotto di Bondone was born in the year of 1276 in Vespignano, near Florence, Italy. He is known as the as the most important Italian painter of the 14th century. His work plays a part to the famous Renaissance developed a century later. For almost seven centuries, Giotto has been known as the father of European painting and one of the first of the great masters of art. Unfortunately, Giotto died on January 8, 1337. However, he lived a full artistic life: he painted frescoes in the Upper Church at Assisi, in the Lower Church of the Basilica of St. Francis, and across Italy's historic churches. He primarily worked with frescoes and the theme of his art is focused on events from the bible. His art style is has very dark and earthy tones and he doesn't shy away from using intense imagery like blood and death. Above is The Lamentation by Giotto and can be seen in the Arena Chapel in Padua. This painting is known for the dark tones and the overwhelming sadness. It showcases the ...
4 comments
Read more

Masks

Painted Masks: Painted masks start off with a basic form of a face then the details are painted on. Sculptural Masks: Sculptural masks are carved or molded into a face along with some extreme detail. Ancient Greek Masks:  Ancient Greek masks are a form of sculptural masks, but they are far from human likeness. In comedy plays, the masks are so deformed to a specific emotion that they look ridiculous regardless of what they are trying to express. In tragedies, however, masks look more life-like to represent a person instead of a joke. All masks had their mouths wide open so that the actor could talk. They also had hair, nostrils, and large openings for the eyes built in for the actor to breathe and see.
4 comments
Read more

Jan Van Eyck

Jan Van Eyck was born in the year of 1395 and was a prominent figure of the Early Netherlandish art of his time. Van Eyck served as an official to the ruler of Holland, John of Bavaria-Straubing. By this time he had assembled a small workshop and was involved in redecorating the Binnenhof palace. After John's death in 1425, he moved to Bruges and came to the attention of Philip the Good, and he was freed from commissions because of the court's salary. He used oils for his paintings and Van Eyck often conveyed what he saw as a harmony of the spiritual and material worlds using iconographic elements. The painting above is called the Arnolfini Portrait done by Jan Van Eyck. It forms a full-length double portrait, believed to showcase an Italian merchant named Giovanni di Nicolao Arnolfini and his wife. This oil painting has unique feature that was revolutionary at the time: a mirror. In the background, you can see a mirror reflecting the couple in the portrait. This was not ...
3 comments
Read more