First things first

What exactly do we mean by art, and what kind of history (or histories) should we explore?

videos + essays

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Must art be Beautiful? And just what is beauty anyway?

Why does St. John the Baptist carry a lamb? Catherine a wheel? Mary Magdalene a jar?

History is untidy. Though imperfect, defining periods and styles can order the chaos of millennia.

Methods change, the canon expands, and we write history anew. Long focused on the West, the field is going global.

Pay attention! Identifying symptoms and solving crimes require many of the same skills as art historical analysis.

These museum professionals do it for a living. Stop, take a breath, and open your eyes—it’s your answer that counts.

Whose property is it anyway? Even when we’re talking about humanity’s greatest achievements, institutions disagree.

Whether you’re centered on Jerusalem or relegated to a spot “down under,” maps reflect belief as much as location.

Artistic labor has changed over time—so has its perceived value. Now a mere idea can be worth its weight in gold.

Where to begin? Depending on the calendar, it all starts with Christ’s birth, the new moon, or Pope Gregory.

videos + essays