Often, people wonder why they should go through the four walls of the university to obtain a degree in Art History. Still, Art history is a more prominent way of preserving historical events and making our past last even with the changes that go with modernization and civilization, and studying the history of art is a great reflection to understand these events
Studying art history remains a far superior choice for many and the art’s role a germen integral of everything humanity stands for.
At this juncture, let’s would like to define Art history.
Art History is an organized profession that deals with the artistic and scientific study of the historical development of artworks. It incorporates the stylistic and contextual analysis of exquisite objects of a different era, probing into the why, how, when, who, and context of the artwork.
Art Historians may carry out their studies and analysis on Sculptures, Paintings, Architectural objects, Ceramics, Furniture, Music, etc. they try to know why an artist did a particular work, the motivations, the cultural and political influences and the interaction of the art with nature as well as the compare chronologically the meaning of artworks of a different era.
Projection of the historic timeline of art is a very important part of history as this provides a different approach to history, which actualizes some level of concreteness of history, making the written words or oral narratives more tangible to behold and visible for proper appreciation of history and past events.
Reasons why people study Art History
Preservation Of Culture
Just like History, Art is almost as old as man. Art History is a feasible means of preserving the cultural heritage of any country or people, as culture is dynamic and progressive with time, so also is art history.
The collection of historic arts would prevent the menace of cultural distortions and depreciation that occur over centuries.
Written words or spoken history of past events would undoubtedly give us a sense of the past, pointing out the way of life of our people in the past.
Still, art history is a more prominent way of preserving historical events and making our past last even with the changes that go with modernization and civilization, and studying the history of art is a great reflection to understand these events
Culture, of course, encompasses all areas of life such as religion, politics, dressing styles, languages, dances, etc. all these aspects of learning can be perfectly preserved by art history.
Most artworks are usually durable and sometimes static and can be reproduced too, these characteristics of artworks make art history an excellent and feasible way of handing over our cultural heritage, and traditional believes down to generations after us.
Why Study Art History? – Academic Purposes And Benefits
Art History as professional studies is an excellent plus for building the world knowledge bank and organization of learning material, especially in the field of humanities.
This art history study provides baseline data for researchers, a background knowledge for students as well as full flare professionals in the area.
The standardization of stylistics, aesthetics, and contextual interpretation of artworks are significant academic benefits of studying Art History. Most of the pieces of art that we see have a customized story behind them.
While the unprofessional people only appreciate the beauty of that piece of art, an Art History student would take time to observe the main essence and context of it.
For instance, going to the museum without background knowledge of art or a tour guide might not be very interesting and engaging. This is obtainable because you might not be knowledgeable about how to interpret the works in the galleries or the cathedral in the museum.
You may also not realize that the paintings and artworks have been adequately arranged to denote a variance in time and therefore, to refer the transition in the history of a specific culture or ethnic group.
All these, however, are not novel to a student who is admitted to a program, as most of the learning and course works would make sure that there are adequate interactions with most of these artworks and give visual and textural analysis and interpretations of them.
This is important to take into consideration, as the interest in Art History could create an opportunity to make art history jobs.
Art primarily refers to the expression of thoughts, intuitions, urges, and emotions.The course will enlighten you about your surroundings, and all piece of artwork tells a story.
The several phases of art talk about history in varying ways, and from a play depicting the rise of a culture to a piece of an architectural masterwork that holds multiple enigmas about the past.
All these put together in art history to promote our understanding of the events of the past without write-ups.
Shows Societal trends and Historic timelines
Art History promotes our understanding of the changes in our societies and reminds us of import and strategic events in the past, it outlines the sociocultural and religious evolutions through the interpretation of artworks like painting, architectural edifices, etc.
As time passes by, history may be perverted, although we have the documented words to testify to the happenings that took place centuries back.
Art is essential as a means to affirm such history and give us additional insight into the happenings at the time.
A painting, an architectural work, or a sculpture are all some of the several types of artworks that can help forge an image of what society was like at the time of their inception. Why study art history? – remain a pertinent question from the perspective that how cultures have evolved since the start of civilization.
A historian may explain the significant occurrences of the past, but will most likely not talk about the apparels worn by people at such accessions.
Art, therefore, provides us with an entirely distinct perspective on history.
Furthermore, artistic movements visibly understandable in paintings are usually the direct consequence of social, religious, or political movements that had happened before them.
For instance, Fra Angelico made use of perspective, in his Crucifixion, a new notion at the beginning of the Renaissance. Thus, this painting helps denotes the transition from the Middle Ages to the Italian Renaissance. It is helpful to study Art History because of each work of art aids in the definition (in some way) of the milestone in the history of a group.
Every piece of art depicts essential insights into the period it denotes.
This fact allows people to grasp certain aspects of life furthermore.
In Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints by Raphael, the artist’s composition and colors, one could notice shed light on the culture that birthed it. These kinds of idealistic arts can show the features and information about the painted objects; for example, age, status, and religious beliefs are depicted in work by Raphael. This painting is a confirmation of the importance of religion as at that time, as the saints are seen praying.
Paintings such as this one keep history lively and people interested as they bring to the remembrance of the public about the past way of life and believes.
Raphael completes having knowledge of 16th-century life in this devotional painting, eliciting the previously acknowledged aspects. As observers are attracted to pieces like this one, it promotes their historical awareness, making them have more answers on ‘why they should study Art History.’ Personally, the striking colors and the exciting composition attracted me to this art piece as it was placed next to the others.
Interaction With Nature In A Tangible Manner
Art History is an exciting profession that would allow those who ventured into it the opportunity to interact and appreciate nature as some of this work of art are recollected from a natural state of mind.
It doesn’t just mean that you have to sit in some classes and listen to stale lectures, it involves a cordial interaction with nature, and there are a lot of branches even to select from.
You can choose to acquire an art history bachelor’s degree in music, creative arts, literature, and even dramatic arts. Furthermore, you do not need to be dexterous at any of these things before you can enroll in the art history program, what you are primarily required to do is to have a considerably good sense of appreciation for the world in totality and view things from a unique perspective.
For instance, when considering a teapot, religious building painting, ornaments, museum plan, or even listening to classical songs, as an artist, you have to note that there is a historical and cultural perspective behind them. An art historian will research and analyze this and become more aware of them.
It’s A Means Of National And International Integration
Art History is a field that incorporates other fields like politics, anthropology, humanity, literature, liberality, aesthetics, sociology, economics, etc.
It provides a platform for studying local and foreign cultural, political, and economic trends and milestones as well as historical relationships, which may promote national and international unity.
Especially, as the profession has standardized the analytical and interpretational methodologies for Art Histories.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, one would be tempted to say that Art History is the most important part of history as well as Arts but of course, other fields of Arts and History are very beneficial.
Studying art history is a beneficial thing to do if you have the interest and zeal.