About the Progam
The History of Art explores the range of objects and monuments made from
prehistory to the present day. It emphasizes the study of visual arts
as a means of understanding intellectual and cultural history of
humanity. Renaissance palaces, Hiroshige prints, modern mosques,
Etruscan tombs, Mira Nair films, Barnett Newman’s zips, and much more,
are all brought into focus in the Jaffe Building.
Penn’s Department is an internationally renowned leader in the
history of art and architecture, with a long, distinguished record of
teaching, mentoring, and research. The faculty are committed to
innovative instruction, and they work closely with students to develop
skills in the interpretation of art and visual culture. Special
excursions to museums allow students to examine paintings, sculptures,
prints, and manuscripts first hand, and each year seminars organize
exhibitions at the Ross Gallery or the Institute of Contemporary Art, and other venues (see Halpern-Rogath Seminars).
The Department also fosters programs with local galleries and
museums that can prepare interested students for a fulfilling career as a
scholar, curator, or gallery or museum professional. The curriculum
provides a solid foundation for a general liberal arts education and
careers in communications, public relations, and other fields where
engagement with images and texts is paramount. Courses in the history of
art also contribute to majors in visual studies, literature, history,
religion, area studies, cinema studies, studio art, among others.
Students may select from a wide array of courses:
100-level courses are broad introductions covering great geographic and/or temporal ranges and are suitable for all students.
200-level courses treat a single artistic
period, movement, medium, or locale. While focused, they are good
introductory courses for most student levels.
300-level courses follow a seminar format and
focus on an artistic theme, issue, medium, or problem. These are most
appropriate for juniors and seniors but may also be suitable for
sophomores (check requirements for individual courses).
400-level courses follow the format of 200-level courses and are primarily intended for junior and senior majors.
500-level courses are offered for undergraduates and graduate students.
The following courses are particularly recommended as introductions to the field:
ARTH 101: Intro to Art History: Prehistory to
Early Renaissance introduces students to the arts of Ancient Egypt, the
Middle East and Iran, the Mediterranean Bronze Age, the Greek and Roman
worlds, the Middle Ages, Islamic civilizations, and the European Early
Renaissance. (III)*
ARTH 102: Intro to Art History: Renaissance
to Contemporary presents the visual arts--including painting, sculpture,
print culture, and new media such as photography, performance and
installation art--in Europe and the United States from 1400 to the
present. (Formerly offered as ARTH 002) (III)*
ARTH 103: Arts and Civilizations of East Asia
introduces the arts and civilizations of China and Japan, from
prehistory to the present. (III and cross-cultural analysis)*
ARTH 104: The Art of India and Southeast Asia
serves as a broad introduction to more than two thousand years of art
produced by the great cultures of southern Asia. (III)*
ARTH 106: The Architect and History serves as
an introduction to two thousand years of the built environment, from
the Middle East to the United States, and includes practical design
experiments, films, and excursions. (Formerly offered as ARTH 001)
(IV)*
VLST 101: Eye, Mind, and Image, analyzes the
philosophy and science of perception. For more information on the Visual
Studies Program, see: Visual Studies Department