History of Art
This course introduces students to the historical development of art from prehistoric times to the modern era. It explores how cultural, religious, political, and social contexts shape artistic expression. Through visual analysis and historical examples, students gain foundational knowledge of major art movements, styles, and global artistic traditions.
§ 01 By the end you can
- Define art and explain its role across different historical and cultural contexts.
- Identify major periods, styles, and movements in the history of art.
- Analyze artworks using basic visual and historical methods.
- Understand relationships between art, society, religion, and power.
- Recognize key contributions of Western, Islamic, and Pakistani art traditions.
§ 02 Sixteen sessions
The whole semester.
- 01What Is Art? Meaning, Function, and Ways of Seeing
- 02Elements of Looking and Visual Analysis
- 03Cave Art and Prehistoric Cultures
- 04Neolithic Art and Early Settlements
- 05Egyptian Mythology and Artistic Systems
- 06Pyramids of Giza and Funerary Architecture
- 07Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and the Amarna Style
- 08 · MidtermGreek Art and Architecture
- 09Roman Architecture, Urbanism, and Sculpture
- 10Romanesque and Gothic Architecture
- 11Giotto and the Beginnings of the Renaissance
- 12Renaissance Masters: Masaccio, Masolino, van Eyck, Piero, Botticelli, Raphael
- 13Mannerism and the Late Work of Michelangelo
- 14Baroque Art: Bernini and Rembrandt
- 15From Romanticism to Modern Art (Impressionism to Cubism)
- 16Mughal Art, Pakistani Art, and Contemporary Practice
Midterm around session 8. Final project briefed at session 8 or 9 and developed in stages until the juries.
§ 03 Final project
Students will complete a research-based visual project focused on a selected period, movement, artist, or architectural tradition studied in the course.
Deliverables
A visual research presentation including historical background, key works, cultural context, visual analysis, and significance.
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