Art history is the study of art, artifacts, and architecture from past societies and cultures. It involves a diverse range of visual cultures and styles, as well as art criticism, analysis, and interpretation from ancient and modern times. The aim of art history is to understand the role of art in human life: the way art is shaped by us, and the way it in turn shapes us. As such, it involves deep visual and technical literacy, on top of thorough analytical skills and historical knowledge of artistic traditions, practices, and contexts for visuality.

The core topics introduce the field of art history and give students the skills and understanding to choose and pursue their interests in the specialized topics. On completing the core, students will be able to independently read the historical and academic literature. The core topics are:

• Introduction to the Art History
• Introduction to Architecture
• Methodology in Art History
• Philosophy of Art

Specializations should be discussed with the Director of Studies. On completing specializations, students will be able to independently read advanced literature and conduct a final project in that topic. Some suggested specializations are:

• Anglo-Saxon Archaeology
• The Carolingian Renaissance
• Culture and Society in Early Renaissance Italy
• Northern European Portraiture
• Flanders and Italy in the Quattrocento
• Court Culture and Art in Early Modern Europe
• Intellect and Culture in Victorian Britain
• Egyptian Art and Architecture
• Greek Art and Archaeology
• Art Under the Roman Empire
• Encountering South Asian Sculpture
• Gothic Art Through Medieval Eyes
• Understanding Museums and Collections
• Literature and the Visual Arts in France
• European Cinema
• Modernism
• Postmodernism
• The Experience of Modernity
• American Art
• Art and Culture in Renaissance Florence and Venice
• Art and Culture in the Dutch Golden Age
• English Architecture
• Art and Its Public in France
• The Social Life of Photographs
• Pop and the Art of the Sixties