How does the Study of Art History Help Understand Different Cultures?
Culture, they say, is the way of life of people. What better way was there to capture the ways of life in times when there were no cameras and video recorders? What better ways other than paintings, sculptures, music, carvings, and statues? Does the study of art history help understand cultures?
Michelangelo painted the frescoes of Rome’s Sistine Chapel from 1508-1512. He later painted yet another masterpiece on the chapel’s altar wall, the Last Judgment from 1536-1541.
Today, to stand at the chapel’s base and gaze at the ceiling is just enough to provoke the deepest feelings of marvel, wonder, and reverence for an amazing work of art that speaks of a higher power in a way that it appears to have been made by the higher power itself. No one would have any doubts as to what the Roman Catholic culture meant in a time like that.
The greatest preserver of history
Possibly the greatest preserver of history as we know it today, art teaches us about the popular feeling in times when all people had their hands and imaginations to create the most beautiful of scenes. If one were to attempt to view art from various timelines from different parts of the world, it would be particularly striking how it helps to shed a lot of light on what values these people held dear in their time.
When Europeans came in contact with the Benin people of Nigeria in the 1800s, brass was used to make plaques that covered the palace walls because brass was believed to ward away evil. Today, a study of art gives deep insight into the culture of the Benin people. Benin art was especially rich and undoubtedly fascinating because it stood out in a period when little regard was given to non-western art.
Why is the study of art history so important?
Art history is the study of the development of visual art over time. It encompasses everything from painting and sculpture to architecture and design. The study of art history is important because it helps us to understand the culture and values of different societies. It also helps us to appreciate the beauty of works of art that we might otherwise not notice. It can also give us insight into the creative process, and how art is used to communicate ideas.
How does art influence culture and history?
Art has always been a reflection of the culture and values of the time period in which it was created. It can also be used to record historical events. For example, paintings from the Renaissance depict scenes from classical mythology or Bible stories. In addition, portraiture was used to capture the likenesses of important figures. More recently, art has been used as a form of political commentary. The attacks of September 11th were memorialized by many artists, who sought to express the horror and sadness of that day.
What important things can be learned from the study of art history?
Art history can also teach us about the technical aspects of art, such as composition, color, and form. Additionally, studying art history can help us to better appreciate the works of art that we see today. One of the most important things is an understanding of different cultures and how they have expressed themselves through art.
How does art help us understand cultures?
Suffice it to say that we owe a large chunk of our knowledge about different old cultures across the globe to the ingenuity of artists who could capture the pervading atmosphere of their times and make it into a message in form of art. Art helps us understand cultures in a number of ways. First, art is often reflective of the values, beliefs, and traditions of a culture. By studying art, we can learn about the history and customs of a particular culture. Additionally, art can be used to communicate messages about social and political issues. Through art, we can gain insight into the thoughts and experiences of people from other cultures. Art provides us with a window into the past, and helps us to understand the cultures that created it.
What is the role of art and how is it significant to history and culture?
Art has always played an important role in history and culture. It can be used to record and document events, express emotions and ideas, and even create entire worlds. art can be found everywhere, from the cave paintings of our earliest ancestors to the massive murals that adorn city walls. It is an ever-present force in our lives, influencing the way we see and understand the world around us.
References for reading more about how the Study of Art History Help Understand Cultures
- En.wikipedia.org. 2020. Sistine Chapel Ceiling
- En.wikipedia.org. 2020. The Last Judgment (Michelangelo)
- BBC Bitesize. 2020. What Can We Learn From The Art Of Benin?
- Reader’s Reflection: Noteworthy Observations from Tolstoy’s “Three Questions”
- How did Classicism Influence the Italian Renaissance?
- Forms of Contemporary Art
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