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Art History: It's Way Too Simple Just to Have a 'Favorite Artist'
Aug 28, 2014 10:34 AM
By Brian Inman - Faculty
The great thing about the study of art is that students can never legitimately say, “I will never be able to use this.” Regardless of the profession they choose, the appreciation of art will always have an enriching effect on their lives.
What makes art so accessible is its unwillingness to be categorized or defined. Artists have always defied the categorization of their craft, which has left us with a wide variety of art to choose from. Whether it is painting, sculpture, architecture or more modern forms of performance art, there is something that appeals to everyone.
In my own experience as an art lover and a classroom teacher, I have noticed that the study of art makes a more permanent impression on those who take the time to explore this creative genre. Time and time again former students contact me concerning experiences that have sparked a memory from their art history class from long ago.
Students also take pride in their ability to apply the special eye as well as the unique language of art appreciation. When visiting artistic venues, they discover that they have developed new abilities to decode the technique and motivation of the artist. They also develop a larger appreciation of history and the role of the artist within it.
Most importantly, the study and appreciation of art will bestow a lifelong love of learning. Students of art are always eager to see exhibits of their favorite artists as well as discover and critique new forms of art. As hard as art is to define, this also means that it does not limit the student to picking one period, type or movement as their favorite.
To know and discuss the wide variety of art that has existed, it is way too simple just to have a “favorite” artist. Much like with music, a person's tastes and opinions about visual art will most likely change over time and that’s okay. Therefore, in order to get their feet wet, my first assignment in Art History is to have my students complete the following list:
• What is your favorite time period of art?
• What is your favorite artistic movement?
• Who is your favorite portrait painter?
• Who is your favorite landscape artist?
• Who is your favorite sculptor?
• Who is your favorite architect?
• What is your favorite example of art as propaganda?
• What is your favorite example of art as allegory?
• What is your favorite example of political protest art?
• Who is your favorite female artist?
• Who is your favorite non-western artist?
• Who is your favorite minority artist?
• What is your favorite work of art based on technique?
• What is your favorite work of art based on emotional content?
This list is not exhaustive by any means and their artists could change from year to year or even week to week. However, it does give the student a good starting point for research into art that appeals to them. Hopefully, it will be the first step on a journey that will last a lifetime.
Feel free to share your own answers to these questions by commenting below or emailing me. I'd love to hear from you!
What makes art so accessible is its unwillingness to be categorized or defined. Artists have always defied the categorization of their craft, which has left us with a wide variety of art to choose from. Whether it is painting, sculpture, architecture or more modern forms of performance art, there is something that appeals to everyone.
In my own experience as an art lover and a classroom teacher, I have noticed that the study of art makes a more permanent impression on those who take the time to explore this creative genre. Time and time again former students contact me concerning experiences that have sparked a memory from their art history class from long ago.
Students also take pride in their ability to apply the special eye as well as the unique language of art appreciation. When visiting artistic venues, they discover that they have developed new abilities to decode the technique and motivation of the artist. They also develop a larger appreciation of history and the role of the artist within it.
Most importantly, the study and appreciation of art will bestow a lifelong love of learning. Students of art are always eager to see exhibits of their favorite artists as well as discover and critique new forms of art. As hard as art is to define, this also means that it does not limit the student to picking one period, type or movement as their favorite.
To know and discuss the wide variety of art that has existed, it is way too simple just to have a “favorite” artist. Much like with music, a person's tastes and opinions about visual art will most likely change over time and that’s okay. Therefore, in order to get their feet wet, my first assignment in Art History is to have my students complete the following list:
• What is your favorite time period of art?
• What is your favorite artistic movement?
• Who is your favorite portrait painter?
• Who is your favorite landscape artist?
• Who is your favorite sculptor?
• Who is your favorite architect?
• What is your favorite example of art as propaganda?
• What is your favorite example of art as allegory?
• What is your favorite example of political protest art?
• Who is your favorite female artist?
• Who is your favorite non-western artist?
• Who is your favorite minority artist?
• What is your favorite work of art based on technique?
• What is your favorite work of art based on emotional content?
This list is not exhaustive by any means and their artists could change from year to year or even week to week. However, it does give the student a good starting point for research into art that appeals to them. Hopefully, it will be the first step on a journey that will last a lifetime.
Feel free to share your own answers to these questions by commenting below or emailing me. I'd love to hear from you!
