Art is a subject about which students will be curious for their entire lives. Its history goes back to prehistoric cave paintings, where early Homo sapiens drew animals and humans for narrative or shamanic purposes. Since then, the definition of art has continued to evolve with changes in technology and styles. While some argue that art must always be elitist, others claim that it’s okay for artists to create new forms of art that are accessible to everyone.
During the course of the centuries, art has been used to challenge existing ideas and philosophies. Its role as a tool for intellectual and social experimentation is often linked with the development of philosophy and literature. Artists and writers frequently worked together, sharing philosophies through the written word to help people think differently about the world around them.
For example, the painters and philosophers Monet and Van Gogh shared similar philosophies and aesthetics, creating works of art that were both beautiful and provocative. Similarly, modern art was often influenced by philosophical and literary movements such as Marxism and Existentialism.
When teaching art, it is important to help students understand that the value of an artwork does not lie in a subjective judgment of “yes” or “no.” The purpose of artistic criticism is to make the viewer think about the context and intent behind the work. Art history and literature classes are perfect for students who want to explore the history of art and gain a deeper understanding of how it influences our contemporary society.
A common way to approach art history is by focusing on a specific time period or movement, such as Impressionism. This allows students to study the art of a particular culture and understand its importance in a global context. The history of art can also be taught through the use of primary sources from that period. These can include photographs, advertisements, newspaper articles, short stories, speeches, music and other works of art.
This approach to art history can be a great way to encourage students to analyze a historical event from multiple perspectives and consider the complex issues involved. However, introducing too many primary sources from the same time period may be overwhelming for students.
For this reason, many art historians choose to focus on a certain region or period of time and then expand their knowledge to other regions and periods. This allows students to see how art reflects the world’s changing cultures and societies. It also encourages students to see the connections between art and other disciplines such as history, science, religion, and literature.