In my daily activities as an artist mentor, arts writer, curator and director of Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS, I visit dozens of websites and view a multitude of online art portfolios.
One of my favorite practices is to read what artists say on their “About the Artist” and “Artist’s Statement” pages.
At a glance, I observe if the artist has a depth of understanding about the critical choices they make when creating their art, and if they know where they reside in the context of art history.
Whether you are a self-taught artist or have an art degree, do you know your position in art history? I encourage you to consider your position in art history and be proud to share this knowledge about yourself with others.
Why Knowledge of Your Art in Art History is Important
Art history is a fascinating area that contains so many different facets and developments, periods, innovations and fusions. Even if you’re a “contemporary” artist, it’s helpful to know about all periods and how art has evolved — from pre-historic to today — and the contributions and influences made by artists throughout the centuries.
During your art career you will be required to describe your artwork accurately in terms of its relationships to art movements, genre, design and style. If you’re an artist who wants to attract the attention and respect of knowledgeable gallery owners, museum and independent curators, and savvy collectors, you will need to know how to communicate about your art in an educated manner.
This knowledge may also inspire new artistic directions for you which will be an added bonus. You will derive many benefits in your art and art career.
A Few Questions to Ask Yourself About Your Art
When other art professionals and experienced art collectors view your artwork, many questions may come to their minds. It’s important for you to be prepared with the answers in the best way possible. If you don’t know how to answer these questions, don’t worry. There are ways you can increase your knowledge of art history. Simply scroll down the page to find resources that will help you broaden your understanding.
* Are you a “Self-Taught” Artist according to the art experts within the art community?
* How is your art innovative, unique, and or ground-breaking?
* Is your art one definitive style or a combination of styles?
* What does “Figurative” mean?
* What were the distinctive qualities of the Abstract Expressionists, Expressionists, Cubists and Romanticists?
* How do you use color, form, composition and texture in relation to artistic styles?
* When you list your medium as “mixed”, is that sufficient information in today’s digital world?
* Are you a “New Media” artist?
* Do others see your art as “derivative”? If so, what exactly does that mean and should you be concerned?
* Which artists from art history does your artwork share characteristics and how?
How to Expand Your Knowledge About Art History ~ A Few Resources
At first, the study of art history may seem daunting; however, a basic understanding of art history is attainable. There is so much information available online, in art magazines and art books as well as galleries and museums. You can acquire sufficient knowledge and learn how to articulate how your art fits into place very quickly.
If you’re an artist looking to learn more, here are a few ideas and resources to help.
Read Art Books
Through the Ages written by Helen Gardner, American art historian and educator, offers a comprehensive and chronological look at art’s history, from “The Birth of Art” to contemporary work. For good reasons, it has been the “go-to” source for aspiring art historians since 1926.
The Art Book is Phaidon’s iconic anthology comprised of text compiled by curators, critics, artists, and academics. Many full-page pictures are included making this a valuable work of reference as well as a feast for the eyes. It is created in an alphabetical format, offering readers an A-Z guide of art history’s most prolific artists spanning periods, schools, and styles.
Watch Art Videos
Major museums and others offer videos where you can educate and entertain yourself. In this free online course “Free Videos From Old Masters Academy” you will learn Old Masters’ oil painting methods, skills and knowledge used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. As a free subscriber, you will also receive additional bonus videos, art articles, and valuable offers from the Old Masters Academy. This resource will show you how to paint like the Old Masters using modern materials. You can also obtain unlimited personal support from Academy tutors. Visit its website.
Another wonderful resource is Youtube where you’ll find a treasure trove of videos about art history.
Take Online Art Courses
Udemy is a website where you can choose from over 100,000 online video courses with new additions published every month. One of their best sellers is “Art History Renaissance to 20th Century”. Udemy is one of many online resources where you can expand your awareness about art. Read Online Resources for Artists to Expand Your Creative and Business Skills.
Subscribe to art email newsletters.
One of my favorite email newsletters is sent by Hyperallergic, “a leading voice in contemporary perspectives on art, culture, and more”.
Visit Online Art Museums and Online Art Galleries
I recommend the major art museums such as Metropolitan Museum and two websites where I curate online exhibitions and write about art and artists: Manhattan Arts International and The Healing Power of ART & ARTISTS.
There are many more resources. Simply google “art history” and you’ll find more than you need. If you know of any that aren’t mentioned here, please add them to the comment section below. Happy learning!
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Fabulous article with extremely helpful information. All artists can benefit from this insightful advice. I consider myself a modern abstract expressionist, drawing inspiration from painters Sam Francis and Joan Mitchell. My colors usage is strongly influenced by Van Gogh and Chagall. I also love Monet and visiting his gardens was a spiritual experience. Thank you Renee!
Thank you for this thoughtful and useful direction. I’m happy to be ahead of the class in this regard. And thank you for the blessing on us art nerds.
I describe myself as a Futurist in both the current and art historic sense. I coined the term TechXpressionist to describe my work as it focuses on the cultural impact of technology as subject matter.
Subsets of this I called tech deco and mech deco and even geek deco for the stuff only IT pros are likely to understand or appreciate. However, those terms seem to be lost on most people so I stick mainly with Futurist.
I’m curious what your take is on what I’m doing and how would you categorize it.
Thank you!
Roger
Belveal.com
https://www.belveal.com/techxpressionism
Hi Roger, Thank you for your comment and thorough explanation. I’m sure your comment will motivate many artists to give more thought to answering the question “Do you know your position in art history?”.