A major in Art History is the perfect choice for students who love looking at, writing about, and thinking about art of all sorts. While art history is a bit different from other kinds of historical study (such as studying history or literature), it uses many of the same analytical skills. Students may write about paintings, photographs, and sculptures, but they also might be asked to evaluate posters, illustrations, coins, and other visual materials.
In general, art is a way for people to express what they believe about the world around them. It is a reflection of their values, fears, hopes, and dreams. Art is important because it can show us how our world is created. Art can be used for a variety of purposes, including promoting cultural appreciation, strengthening the will to act, and raising awareness of issues.
The purpose of art can vary depending on the culture and time period in which the piece was produced. In some cultures, art is used for ritualistic and symbolic functions. For example, the Terracotta Army is a form of funerary art buried with the first Emperor of China.
Other culturally significant art includes masks, pottery, and jewelry. In the modern age, artists have used their talents to promote peace, raise awareness of global issues, and create beauty.
As an academic field, art history has been focused on aesthetics, meaning, and social and historical contexts. Analyzing a work of art involves examining its physical, historical, and stylistic characteristics, as well as considering the creator’s intentions. This type of analysis is the basis for all art criticism and the main reason that art history has evolved radically over the past century.
The goal of a work of art is to present something that will provoke emotions in its viewers. This is a process that can be difficult to measure, because art has the ability to inspire a wide range of emotions in its audience. Some people will be moved to action by art, while others will be merely stimulated by it. Whether or not a work of art can be considered successful depends on the amount of emotion that it generates in its audience.
One of the most important reasons why art is powerful is that it can draw upon people’s heartstrings to move them to make a change. When activists publish photos of children living in poverty, for instance, they are using art to pull the hearts of wealthy and influential people to help make a difference. It is this power to influence that makes art such a unique and valuable part of our culture.