Art History

Art History studies images, objects, and buildings from historical periods and geographical regions. It focuses on how people saw themselves in the past and how people see themselves in the present and future, with art treated as an instrument of power that can influence contemporary social issues.

Students build skills in careful observation, critical analysis, historical research, and written communication through close study of objects. Teaching and research cover arts of Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the Islamic world, from ancient to contemporary times. Courses draw on McMullen Museum collections and other cultural institutions, with opportunities for internships and study abroad.

• Academia
• Art criticism
• Architecture
• Museums
• Art conservation
• Cultural preservation
• Intellectual property law
• Commercial galleries
• Auction houses