Welcome to /r/ArtHistory

Can anyone provide any good or must-read books on art or art history? I love art, but haven't devoted much time to learning about the evolution of art or the stories behind famous artists and their works. Any recs would be much appreciated! Thanks!

Here's a Jackson Pollock's art, exemplifying how creativity can transcend conscious thought and connect directly with the viewer’s emotions. His method of action painting, as seen in No. 5, 1948, was a dance of raw movement and instinct, where each drip and splatter on the canvas spoke from a place beyond deliberate control. This painting is unique for its chaotic, dense web of paint, with swirling colors and layers that create a sense of movement and energy. The chaotic arrangement draws viewers in, allowing them to experience the artwork as a whole, bypassing intellectual analysis and appealing directly to the subconscious. What I want to emphasize here through Pollock's art is it reminds us that the most mind-blowing creations don’t always emerge from conscious effort, immense practice, or meticulous planning. Instead, they often arise from a place of pure intuition. When human creativity operates on this instinctive level, it bypasses intellectual constraints and taps into something deeper and more universal. It’s through trusting the intuition, rather than overthinking, that we can access profound insights and reach new heights. Imagination becomes the key to uncovering abstract truths, revealing meanings that logic alone might miss. This is how an art can break free from structured boundaries and express what lies beyond the conscious mind, showing that true creation often comes from embracing spontaneity and letting intuition guide the way.

https://preview.redd.it/jca5u9vmup1e1.jpg?width=1100&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8bd9798e28dedb2988261777dc8d86bef3f5e286

Is it worth it? I am getting a BFA in photography, I thought I was on track to get a double major in art history but turns out I have 12 more credits to fulfill. This would mean i’d either have to take 2O CREDITS next semester or take a j term class and summer classes and pay a lot of extra money. Do you think it’s worth it just for the title? its not like im getting a dual degree… let me know your thoughts please!

I'm having trouble finding illustrations or art depicting some of earth's most iconic rivers as they appeared in ancient times. I'm hoping this sub can help and if not, perhaps guide me to the right place.

Hello everyone! For a uni research paper I have to compare a baroque work to a more modern work of art that responds to it (about 1960’s to now) from a different art discipline. I really want to do it on Judith Slaying Holofernes by Artemisia Gentilischi, but I sadly cannot find any artworks that explicitly refer to the work or are explicity inspired by it. Does anyone have any ideas? It could literally be anything: music, poetry, theatre, film, anything!

Any ideas would be apreciated!

https://preview.redd.it/4i1isgcfge1e1.jpg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6eaa3ac49cf2b2eb49777f54a78084dd5f616468

In a hypothetical scenario where all artwork in Europe was to disappear forever, including all photographs, books etc of the work, but you can save five pieces, what artwork are you saving?

This is part of the choir stalls of Santa Cruz la Real, at the Museum of Fine Arts in Granada (yes, we have that too!)

Part of the choir stalls of Saint Cross the Royal in Granada

I can make out 5 out of 6; from left to right: Saint Chistopher, Saint Sebastian, Saint Lawrence, Saint Peter of Verona, Saint Paul... But I have no idea who can be the one on the far right. She could be Mary of Bettany or Mary Magdalena, holding an urn with unguent, or even the Veronica, but the Roman-like veil throws me off a little bit. Any idea?

The author is Francisco Sánchez, and they are manierist bas-reliefs from the end of the 15th century.

Hi everyone!

I’m new to the art world and looking to learn more about art and art history while driving. Are there any podcasts or YouTube channels you’d recommend for a beginner?

I’d love something engaging and easy to follow, with stories about famous artists, movements, or even the behind-the-scenes of museums and galleries. Anything that helps me build a strong foundation in art history would be amazing!

Thanks so much for your help!

They said it was “the most famous selfie in all of art history”

What do you think? Does it qualify as a selfie?

And here’s one of Picasso’s studies (just for fun :)

Hello,

I am wondering if anyone has any insight into the spiritual or symbolic significance of the landscape in Renaissance art?

It seems to have emerged as a category during the Renaissance and yet not much information is provided as to why artists chose landscapes, and exquisitely rendered landscapes at that, as a common spatial device in which to place allegorical and figurative representations.

I am looking for specific information, similar to the narrative of how the 19th century Hudson River School painters explored the theme of “Manifest Destiny” in their landscapes.

Somehow I’m thinking there must be something more to the Renaissance use of landscapes beyond just employing perspective to create the illusion of receding space. Could there have been a resurgence of pagan ideas and values after the very cloistered and religious art of the Middle Ages?

Thank you.

I saw a post today of the first known photographs of lightning in the 1880s, and it said how previously, paintings depicted lightning as simple zig zags. And for sure, some googling yielded results that prove that...

https://www.google.com/amp/s/picryl.com/amp/topics/lightning%2bin%2bpaintings

Now, we have all likely seen lightning in person enough to know that it is not a simple zig zag, that they do not all look the same, etc. I remember, even in elementary school, some kids would draw lightning in more "complex" ways.

With all the expertise that painters of old had, why would they paint lightning in this way over a long period? Was it a matter of preserving a tradition or metaphor?

Hi!

This is my first time posting here so excuse me if my language is clunky, if you'd like me to clarify please just ask!

Me and my sister just ADORE Waterhouse, my favorite is Lady of the Shallot because of its beautifully intricate details and the story its telling. The closest I think I've come to finding something similar is maybe Meeting on the Torrent (spelling?) Stairs by Frederic William Burton. I love niche paintings and artists so feel free to recommend whatever! Thank you! Have a good day! ❤︎