Why look at art?

Please watch the video below on why we look at art:

How to Study Art History

Art historians employ a number of methods in their research into the qualities, nature and history of objects.

Art historians also often examine work through an analysis of form. That is, the creator's use of line, shape, color, texture, value, and composition. This formalist approach examines how the artist uses a two-dimensional picture plane or the three dimensional space to create art.

An iconographical analysis is one that focuses on particular design elements of an object. Through an analysis of such elements, it is possible to trace its history, and with it draw conclusions regarding the origins and trajectory of these motifs. In turn, it is possible to make observations regarding the social, cultural, economic, and aesthetic values of those who created the work of art.

Many art historians use critical theory to guide their inquiries into objects. Theory is most often used when dealing with more recent objects, like those from the late 19th century to now. Critical theory in art history is often borrowed from literary scholars, and it involves the application of a non-artistic analytical framework to the study of art objects. Feminist, Marxist, and postcolonial theories are all well-known theories in art history.

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION