History of Western Art

History of Western Art (HART) was a CTY Humanities course focused on the different styles of Art in the western part of the world. It was only offered at Baltimore.

Course Description

From the CTY Course Catalog (2003):

History of Western Art introduces students to the study of architecture, sculpture, painting, and other art forms in their social, cultural, and historical contexts by surveying art from the ancient world through the present. This course teaches four basic perspectives from which students learn how to consider works of art: style; iconography; patronage; and production, including artistic training and techniques. They learn about each of these through readings, discussions, and lectures which incorporate viewing important works. Additionally, students learn about production techniques through hands-on projects, such as creating a mosaic using the methods and materials available to Byzantine artists.

The Baltimore site offers a rich environment for the study of art. The Baltimore Museum of Art, home to a renowned 20th -century art collection, is adjacent to campus. The Walters Art Museum, which houses collections of ancient and medieval art as well as Renaissance and 19th-century paintings, is also in Baltimore.

Using the theoretical models they explore in class, students respond to works they see at these museums in critical essays, class discussions, and independent research projects. By the course’s end, students learn to articulate broad comparisons among works produced in a variety of contexts, providing a strong foundation for an AP course in the History of Art.