You'll explore how people have talked and written about art throughout history. The course covers major art critics, their theories, and how they've shaped our understanding of art. You'll analyze different approaches to interpreting artwork, from ancient times to the present, and learn how cultural contexts influence art criticism.

Is History of Art Criticism hard?

It's not a walk in the park, but it's not impossibly hard either. The trickiest part is wrapping your head around some of the more abstract theories and remembering all the critics and their ideas. Reading can be dense sometimes, but class discussions usually help clear things up. Overall, if you're into art and like thinking deeply about it, you'll probably find it more interesting than difficult.

Tips for taking History of Art Criticism in college

Use Fiveable Study Guides to help you cram 🌶️
Make flashcards for key critics and their main ideas (e.g., Clement Greenberg and formalism)
Visit art museums and practice applying different critical approaches to artworks
Form a study group to discuss readings and share interpretations
Keep a journal of your own art criticism to practice applying theories
Watch "Ways of Seeing" by John Berger for a great intro to art criticism
Read art magazines like Artforum or frieze to see contemporary criticism in action

Common pre-requisites for History of Art Criticism

Introduction to Art History: Surveys major art movements and styles from prehistoric to contemporary times. Provides a foundation for understanding artistic developments.
Art Theory and Aesthetics: Explores philosophical approaches to art and beauty. Introduces key concepts and thinkers in aesthetics.
Visual Culture Studies: Examines how images shape our world and how we interpret them. Covers a wide range of visual media beyond traditional fine arts.

Classes similar to History of Art Criticism

Contemporary Art Criticism: Focuses on current trends and debates in art criticism. Explores how digital media and globalization are changing the field.
Feminist Art Theory: Examines art and criticism through a feminist lens. Covers key feminist artists and critics from the 1960s to today.
Postcolonial Art Theory: Investigates how colonialism and its aftermath have influenced art and criticism. Explores non-Western perspectives on art.
Philosophy of Art: Delves into philosophical questions about the nature of art and aesthetic experience. Covers thinkers from Plato to contemporary philosophers.

Art History: Studies the development of visual arts across cultures and time periods. Involves analyzing artworks, researching historical contexts, and understanding various artistic movements.
Visual Arts: Focuses on creating art in various media while also studying art history and theory. Combines practical studio work with academic study of art.
Cultural Studies: Examines how cultural practices, including art, shape society and identity. Involves interdisciplinary approaches to analyzing cultural phenomena.
Philosophy: Explores fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, and values. Includes aesthetics as a major branch, which deals with the nature of art and beauty.

What can you do with a degree in History of Art Criticism?

Art Critic: Writes reviews and analyses of art exhibitions, artists, and trends for publications or online platforms. Requires strong writing skills and a deep understanding of art history and contemporary art.
Museum Curator: Selects and organizes art exhibitions, researches artworks, and writes catalog essays. Works closely with artists, collectors, and other museum staff to create engaging displays.
Arts Administrator: Manages arts organizations, galleries, or cultural institutions. Involves planning events, managing budgets, and promoting arts programs.
Art Consultant: Advises clients on art purchases and collection management. Requires knowledge of the art market and strong networking skills within the art world.