Art History

A history of modern design from 1750 to the present, with an emphasis on design movements in the twentieth century. We will focus on modern European and American design, surveying objects made from a wide range of materials, including textiles, metals, ceramics, and the print media. We will situate movements such as Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau, and Bauhaus in their cultural and art-historical contexts. Recommended preparation: AH100 or 111. Fulfills humanities requirement.

This course is an intensive exploration of visual culture in Europe and America during the decades between 1770 and 1820, and the ways in which artistic practice engaged both revolutionary politics and other major transformations in the nature of social experience. Artists discussed include Jacques-Louis David, John Singleton Copley, Francisco Goya, and William Blake. Particular attention will be paid to themes of history, nationality, modernity, class, and gender, and to shifting conceptions of the artistic enterprise. We will also consider issues of art-historical methodology and cultivate advanced research skills in pursuit of individual interpretive projects.