6 Best Art History Courses For Beginners in 2024
Here are the 6 most popular art history courses; Modern and Contemporary Art and Design history courses. Top-rated Art history courses you can take for free or paid.
What is Art History?
Have you ever wondered what makes humans the way they are today? Art history is the study of objects and paintings that gives insight into ancient history. Humans have such a large impact on this 'history' that an art history major can tell you more than just how life was back then, but it's important to also analyze what people were thinking at the time these masterpieces were being created.
Art history is often overlooked but almost every industry today relies on designers. It is a great skill to have because it will allow you to look at any piece of art and understand its message. If you're interested in becoming a top designer then learning about art history will help you immensely.
Why Art History is important?
Art history is more than a random bunch of paintings and sculptures made by famous people long ago. It’s a living, breathing course of study that enriches your life in ways you can’t even imagine.
Art history provides suggestions for how we can come to understand our own human past and its relationship to the present day because the act of making art itself is one of humanity’s most ubiquitous activities.
Best Art History Courses & Certifications List
- Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
- Modern and Contemporary Art and Design
- From Caves to Cities: Prehistoric Art History
- Art History Prehistory to the Renaissance
- Graphic Design History: The Arts and Crafts Movement Online Class
- WW1 Heroism: Through Art and Film - Online Course
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Best Art History Courses & Classes Online
1. Art History Renaissance to 20th Century
A basic level survey of painting, sculpture, and architecture.
The course serves as an introduction to art history at the college level. In this course, students are introduced to European art history from the Renaissance era around 1300 A.D. until the Mid 20th Century.
In this course, you will:
- Pass any basic level art history class at the college level.
- Go to museums and art galleries and really understand what you are looking at.
A detailed analysis of each work is presented, including its physical or formal characteristics, such as the technology used, the medium, the materials, composition, and shading. In this course, students examine the symbolism of each work and how to interpret the interrelationship of symbols.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 ( 1,758 Ratings total)
Duration: 71h
Certificate: Certificate on completion
2. Modern and Contemporary Art and Design
Offered by The Museum of Modern Art.
You will learn about contemporary art in this Specialization. You will see behind-the-scenes footage and audio of artists, designers, and curators, as well as hear from them directly via original films and audio.
In this course, you will:
- Become acquainted with the methods of experimentation and responses to technological innovation used by artists and designers.
- Understand how artists and designers respond to social and cultural issues of their time by using critical thinking and looking skills.
- Find inspiration from the art all around you, gain confidence in looking at and talking about modern and contemporary art and design.
- Understanding what you choose about fashion in terms of expression, identity, and issues such as labor practices and sustainability is important.
You can find out how artists have taken inspiration from their environment and responded to social issues over the past 150 years by beginning with Modern Art & Ideas. Next, you'll explore photography from its beginnings in the mid-1800s to the present day. The course aims to bridge the gap between seeing and understanding photographs by offering ideas, approaches, and technologies that help them take shape.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 ( 1,455 Ratings total)
Duration: 84h
Certificate: Certificate on completion
3. From Caves to Cities: Prehistoric Art History
A Survey of Paleolithic and Neolithic Art and Architecture
This course follows a trajectory from Africa through Arabia to Europe in its survey of prehistoric art. As we discuss the development of images and what we call "art" from the very earliest times, we will integrate recent discoveries.
In this course, you will:
- Recognize major prehistoric artworks and understand their historical significance.
In this original lecture, we'll explore iconic artworks such as the Venus of Willendorf as well as lesser-explored corners of Art History and even Magical Philosophy.
Course rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 (135 Ratings total)
Duration: 43m
Certificate: Certificate on completion
4. Art History Prehistory to the Renaissance
A clear concise history of art from Prehistory until the beginnings of the Italian Renaissance.
No matter what you need to pass a college class or just get a better understanding of art, this course can help. With a clear and concise lecture style, this series of lectures on Art History covers the major works of painting, sculpture, and architecture.
In this course, you will learn:
- Greek History Art
- Visit a museum or art gallery and know what you are talking about.
- Impress your friends and lovers.
- Pass any basic level art history class at the college level.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (659 Ratings total)
Duration: 29h 38m
Certificate: Certificate on completion
5. Graphic Design History: The Arts and Crafts Movement Online Class
Learn about the history of the Arts and Crafts movement, including leading designers such as William Morris and Gustav Stickley, and its influences on contemporary design.
The study of graphic design concepts and approaches from the past can provide you with inspiration and ideas for your future work. Courses like this one are aimed at designers, artists, and anyone else who wants to learn more about design history. This course covers Arts and Crafts, defined by a reaction against industrialization and Victorian excess, and a renewed emphasis on handmade objects.
Topics in this Art History course include:
- The Victorian Age and Industrial Revolution
- The Arts and Crafts Movement
- Disciplines
- Other Notable People
This course covers Arts and Crafts, defined by a reaction against industrialization and Victorian excess, and a renewed emphasis on handmade objects. As Arts and Crafts encompassed more than just print, it also discusses its influence on architecture, textiles, furniture design, ceramics, and glasswork. Moreover, the course explains what led to the decline of the Arts and Crafts movement and how its influence continues to influence contemporary design.
Course rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 (35 Ratings total)
Duration: 1h 30m
Certificate: Certificate on completion
6. WW1 Heroism: Through Art and Film - Online Course
Discover just some of the ways that heroism and the First World War is portrayed through art and film.
The centennial of the First World War is an opportunity for reflection and exploration. In this short course, you will learn about the ways artists and filmmakers portray heroism.
Topics in this Art History course include:
- Analysis of recruitment posters and the messages they portrayed for both those going to war and those staying at home.
- Researching posters: use of words and images to invoke emotions about heroism.
- World War 1: how ideas about heroism changed from 1914 onwards.
- Heroism and film: exploring the differences between current images of World War 1 heroes in Germany, France, and Britain.
- Film reviews: contrasting ways in which the meaning of World War 1 is constructed and debated in Germany today.
In addition to exploring recruitment posters and the messages they portrayed for those going to war and those staying home, you will research WW1 art and consider a painting of your choice. Following this, you will review a recent book, film, or television program about the First World War to consolidate what you've learned.
Course rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 (71 Ratings total)
Duration: 4h
Certificate: Certificate on completion
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