1.2 Art History Intro

Introducing

Art History

Semester A

What is art?

Art includes a wide range of activities where people make things that can be seen, heard, or performed. These creations show the skills and ideas of the artists and are meant to be enjoyed for their beauty or the feelings they bring out. Art comes in many forms, like painting, sculpture, music, writing, dance, and theater. Throughout history, art has been really important to people, helping them express their culture, talk to each other, and think about what's important in their society.

Water Lilies and Japanese Bridge, 1899, Claude Monet, Princeton University Art Museum.

Why study art?

Cultural Understanding It helps us understand the values, beliefs, and practices of different civilizations and societies throughout history.

Critical Thinking Analyzing artworks encourages us to assess and interpret visual information and develop analytical and interpretive abilities.

Aesthetic Appreciation We can gain a deeper appreciation for various artistic styles, techniques and movements.

Creative Inspiration Learning about the work of influential artists and art movements can inspire creativity and innovation.

Historical Context Art is often a reflection of the historical events and societal changes of a particular period

Evaluating art

There is no definitive formula for assessing art. The following common approaches are used:

1. Aesthetic Qualities: consider visual appeal, composition, use of color and texture.

4. Historical & Cultural Context: consider how the artwork relates to the social, political, and cultural influences of its time.

5. Originality and Innovation: evaluate the unique approach, style or contribution to the development of the artistic movement's techniques.

2. Technical Proficiency: evaluate the artist's technical skill and mastery of the chosen medium.

3. Conceptual Depth: assessing the underlying ideas or themes communicated in the artwork.

6. Emotional Impact consider how the artwork engages the viewer's emotions.

Let's consider an example of evaluating art using Starry Night by Vincent Vah Gogh.

Where we can find art:

Museums

Museums are like time capsules for art, preserving the stories and creations of different cultures throughout history. They safeguard paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, ensuring that the beauty and significance of these works endure for future generations, including us. Walking through museum galleries is like traveling through time, allowing us to learn about diverse perspectives, historical events, and the evolution of artistic styles. Museums bring art to life, making it an exciting and tangible experience.

Why visit a museum in person?

Contributions of Museums

Conservation and Preservation

Exhibition and Display

Museums exhibit artwork to provide public access to cultural heritage and artistic achievements.

Museums carefully preserve, maintain and handle works of art.

Collection Development

Education and Outreach

Museums acquire, catalog and manage art collections that represent a diverse range of artist periods, styles and cultural traditions.

Museums offer guided tours, lectures, educational programs and workshops for the general public, students, scholars and families.

Cultural Exchange

Research and Scholarship

Museums collaborate with other institutions for cultural exchange initiatives.

Museums have research departments to support the study of art history.

“Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” - Thomas Merton

Emotional Impact

Starry Night engages a viewer's emotions through its: expressive brushwork: conveying a sense of passion and intensity. vibrant color palatte: contributes to the paintings' emotional richness. symbolism: invites viewers to contemplate deeper themes. sense of transcendence: triggers emotions of contemplation and curiosity. universal themes: the painting taps into shared human experiences and emotions, making it relatable to the viewer.

Visiting a museum in person to see artwork offers several advantages which include: 1. Physical Proximity - being physically close to an artwork allows you to appreciate details, textures, and techniques of the artwork. 2. Personal Engagement - the act of physically standing in front of an artwork enables a personal and emotional connection. 3. Sensory Experience - seeing art in person engages multiple senses. You can experience the colors, textures and even scents associated with certain materials. 4. Discoveries and Exploration - the physical presence in a museum allows for unexpected discoveries. You may come across artworks that you didn't plan to see, leading to new and exciting experiences that may not have occurred witha a pre-selected online search. 5. Authenticity and Uniqueness - the experience of seeing an original artwork is unique and authetic. No reproduction or online viewing can fully capture the essence, aura, and uniqueness of the actual piece created by the artists.

In Starry Night, Van Gogh demonstrates technical proficiency through various aspects of his artistic technique including: 1. Impasto Technique: A technique where paint is applied in thick, textured layers. In Starry Night, the impasto creates a three dimensional and tactile quality. 2. Brushwork: The brushwork in Starry Night is expressive and deliberate. 3. Color mixing: Van Gogh's use of color is harmonious and intense. The blending of colors demonstrates his skill in color mixing. 4.Perspective and Composition: The careful arrangment of elements in the compostioin showcases Van Gogh's understanding of perspective and spatial relationships.

Technical Proficiency

Originality & Innovation

The innovative and unique style employed by Van Gogh in Starry Night lies in the artist's departure from traditional representational techniques and his bold exploration of expressive and symbolic elements. This includes his use of bold and dynamic brushstrokes, the use of impasto, the choice of colors, the distorted perspective with the village and tree in the foreground and the night sky portayed with a swirling quality.

Historical Context

Starry Night was painted during a tumultous period in Van Gogh's life, including a voluntary confinement in an asylum due to his struggles with mental health. His emotional turmoil is reflected in the intense and emotional quality of Starry Night.Starry Night was painted during the late 19th century, a period marked by various artistic movements. The painting reflects the departure of traditional artistic conventions characteristic of this era.The use of the cypress tree is significant as it was a symbol of death and mourning in Western art in the late 19th century.

Aesthetic Quality

In Starry Night, VanGogh uses a rich and vibrant color palette with bold blues and yellows in swirling patterns. The texture of the painting is visible in the thick and textured brushstrokes of Van Gogh. The composition of Starry Night is carefully arranged with the cyrpess tree and village in the foreground and the swirling night sky in the background. The composition guides the viewer's gaze and contributes to the overall harmony and balance of the piece.

Conceptual Depth

The innovative and unique style employed by Van Gogh in Starry Night contributes to conceptual depth. The painting defies traditional representation and captures the artists' personal interpretation of the world. The painting was created during Van Gogh's time of personal struggle, making it a deeply personal and introspective work.The cosmic theme in Starry Night connects the earlthy elements such as the village and cypress with the vastness of the night sky. The inclusion of symbolic elements, such as the cypress tree and the village adds layers to the meaning of the artwork. The cypress is often associated with death and eternity.