Art History explores the highlights of European and American art from the early Renaissance to 19th century Romanticism and through to the Modern Age. Focusing on the paintings of masters including Giotto, Dürer, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Delacroix, Manet, Gauguin, Picasso, Pollock, Warhol, and others, you discover the impact of the classical past, the interrelationship between stylistic developments, and the broader cultural, intellectual, and historical context in which art emerged. This course emphasizes the technical progress that defines each historical era, revealing the fascinating aesthetic advancements made possible by the materials and methods available in each art period. For those new to art history, this course provides a solid underpinning for analyzing, interpreting, and appreciating paintings.
This Premier Online Course features weekly recorded lectures and faculty-guided discussion boards to maximize flexibility and deliver an engaging and interactive digital experience.
Students will learn:
- To identify the materials and techniques employed by artists in paintings and to describe the importance and relevance of artistic processes.
- To accurately date works of art and to define the essential characteristics of significant paintings, movements, and individual artists in Western art history.
- To interpret and analyze significant artworks within their social, cultural, and political contexts.
This course has formerly run under the title Art History: Renaissance Art to Present.
