Art history is a field of study dedicated to understanding the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which an artwork was created. People study art history to arrive at an understanding of art and its meaning at the time and place of its creation. Art historians consider many qualities and functions of the artwork, as well as the intention and perspective of the artist when he or she created the piece. We will briefly discuss the process of analyzing art to determine its meaning and put these ideas into practice as we proceed through case studies related to the specific topic of the resource guide.
As an academic discipline, art history arose in the mid-eighteenth century. However, art was analyzed and written about long before then. The ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder sought to analyze historical and contemporary art in his text Natural History. During the Renaissance, the author and artist Giorgio Vasari (1511–74) gathered the biographies of great Italian artists, past and present, in The Lives of the Artists. Vasari’s text provides us with insights into the changing roles of artists in society during this period and the developing concept of artistic genius.
As an academic discipline, art history arose in the mid-eighteenth century. However, art was analyzed and written about long before then. The ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder sought to analyze historical and contemporary art in his text Natural History. During the Renaissance, the author and artist Giorgio Vasari (1511–74) gathered the biographies of great Italian artists, past and present, in The Lives of the Artists. Vasari’s text provides us with insights into the changing roles of artists in society during this period and the developing concept of artistic genius.
Modern day art historians generally define “art” as almost any kind of visual material that is created by people has a special meaning and/or is valued for its overall appearance. In the past, art historians often focused on what was called “fine art.” These works of art typically included paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture, and architecture, and were usually created for a specific audience to appreciate. Today, art has a much broader definition and includes objects like textiles, pottery, and tattoos. Art and design can include items such as posters, advertisements, and objects like furniture and other household items we use every day. helped bring the Renaissance
The meaning of a work of art can shift over time, and it can be interpreted differently by viewers with various points of view. Differences in social status, education, religious background, race, and gender can affect how people interpret a work of art. For example, Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel would have had a different meaning for the Pope who commissioned the work and the worker who cleaned the floors of the chapel. Similarly, the works’ meaning to a Protestant, Muslim, or atheist today would be different than its meaning to a member of the Catholic faith back in the sixteenth century. At the same time, all four of these people might admire the chapel ceiling equally. In other words, there may be more than one meaning of a work of art, and those meanings may change as time passes.
While studying the meaning of a work of art, art historians use both formal and contextual analysis. Formal analysis focuses on what is seen upon examining the work of art itself, while contextual analysis looks for meaning in the cultural, social, religious, and economic context in which the work was produced. Studying an artwork using formal analysis keeps the focus on the appearance of the object itself and requires excellent skills in observation and description. On the other hand, contextual analysis examines who has access to the work and gets to view it, the original location and context of the work, its cost, subject, relationship to other works of the time period, and so on.
While studying the meaning of a work of art, art historians use both formal and contextual analysis. Formal analysis focuses on what is seen upon examining the work of art itself, while contextual analysis looks for meaning in the cultural, social, religious, and economic context in which the work was produced. Studying an artwork using formal analysis keeps the focus on the appearance of the object itself and requires excellent skills in observation and description. On the other hand, contextual analysis examines who has access to the work and gets to view it, the original location and context of the work, its cost, subject, relationship to other works of the time period, and so on.
Art historians often begin their analysis with a close examination of a work of art. Ideally, they will examine the original work of art, because some qualities can be lost in the reproduction process. In the case of sculpture, it is often difficult to comprehend the length, width, and height of a piece from a photograph. When paintings are copied, we often lose the texture and some of the rich colors of the original work. Even copies of photographs can appear flatter, because they lose the slight variations of light and dark. Unfortunately, it is not always practical for art historians to access original artwork. In some cases, works of art might be damaged or even lost over time, so art historians must sometimes rely on descriptions by others during their analysis. Art historians also review any associated studies (sketches, models, etc.) and other works by the artist during the process.
In order to complete a contextual analysis, art historians usually search archives or libraries for documents related to a work of art. Written sources may include items like letters from or to the artist, papers concerning the sale of the artwork, and any materials written about the work around the time the art was made. An art historian might search for written documentation about the materials used to produce the work of art, such as their cost and source, or information about the purpose or function of the artwork. Art historians also consider how the work of art fits in the context of the literature, music, theater, and history of the time period.
In order to complete a contextual analysis, art historians usually search archives or libraries for documents related to a work of art. Written sources may include items like letters from or to the artist, papers concerning the sale of the artwork, and any materials written about the work around the time the art was made. An art historian might search for written documentation about the materials used to produce the work of art, such as their cost and source, or information about the purpose or function of the artwork. Art historians also consider how the work of art fits in the context of the literature, music, theater, and history of the time period.