Construct an Art History Curriculum
John Frigo
but I thought it was relevant to post it where the question was
asked. If anyone else replied to Russ, could you post your
suggestions as well?
Russ-
This question really got me thinking about what I looked for
in an art book, specifically an art history book. I had to
dig through my books at home for titles I couldn't remember.
Some of the really good ones are lent out to friends or
otherwise omitted...
BTW, my art training is a BA in fine art and art history
at Purdue. Just so you know where I'm coming from. My
specific field tended to be more towards the contemopary
and the modern. Anyways, here's my recommendations:
I think it's a good starting point to start with the basics.
Two of the "founding fathers" of art history were Hauser and
Panofsky. Both of them tried to make a science of the study
of art. _Social History of Art_ makes an arguement for the
viewing of art as a pendulum swinging between the two poles
of Barouque and Classicism. Lots of broad rationalizations
that can still (and do) be made about art today. In doing
so, it leaves out smaller movements that don't quite fit the
scheme of things. But still a good book.
If you want to go back further, check out the writings of
Vassari on Renaissance Florentines. Considered by many to
be the first art critic.
A really easily understood book, and the best art history
book I've read after college is _Art History's History_ by
Vernon Minor. It brings you up to date about what the
concerns of the art historian have been in the past and
are currently. I can't recommend this book enough.
Something I'd like to say about most survey books is that
their scope is way too big, and they leave out women and
minorities and other historically marginalized groups.
These were two survey books that I had which were *okay*:
_Art: History of Painting Sculpture and Architecture_
Frederick Hartt
_History of Modern Art_ H H Aranson
And here's a few books on contemporary and leading up to
that I think are particulary relevant:
_Art Since Mid Century: 1945 to the Present_ Daniel Wheeler
(nice plates)
_Contemporary Art 1965-1990_ Bruce D Kurtz
(picks out specific artists as examples of genres)
_Passages in Modern Sculpture_ Rosalind E Krauss
(late 1800s - 1970's. Great insights into modernity)
_Art and Culture: Critical Essays_ Clement Greenberg
(The bogeyman of modernism. This is what most of
postmodern thought is taking task with. Pretty much
a "must read" to talk about Abstract Expressionism on.)
_Ways of Seeing_ John Berger
(okay. this is a real easy read. Actually that's an
understatement. Two of the essays are in pictures,
but everything in this book is relevant to understanding
our peceptions of art and the world.)
Good golly, that's a long list! I've taken quite a few other
classes as well (Ancient Roman, Greek, German Expressionism,
Surrealism, ...). Let me know if you need more on specifics
from other periods. I'd be happy to opine.
Whew,
John Frigo <jfr...@bilbo.bio.purdue.edu>
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