One of the cornerstones of the liberal arts experience, the discipline of art history allows not only an examination of visual culture, but is also a conduit to the study of many other disciplines. Students learn how ideas, whether religious, political, social, scientific, philosophical, or literary, influence the visual form and how and why the processes of artistic production, collection, and display affect our understanding of art.

Kenyon students work together with faculty in a close-knit department, examining objects, discussing visual images, and writing about art and architecture. Our survey courses introduce students to a broad range of art and ideas, while our intermediate courses focus on specific periods, various methods of art-historical research, and sharpening critical skills. Advanced seminars teach students how to conduct sophisticated art-historical research, with a focus on debate and discussion. The art history faculty is made up of renowned teacher/scholars who find it a privilege to teach and mentor undergraduate students.