Studying Art History at Kenyon
Why is a work of art powerful and how does it acquire meaning? The global art history curriculum at Kenyon explores the complex relationship between visual representation and culture by considering a wide variety of works, from the Paleolithic period to contemporary art. Students regularly mount exhibitions, engage with visiting speakers and experts in the field, and travel to museums and galleries in Columbus, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh. Internships in the Visual Resource Center introduce students to 3D printing technologies and professional cataloging skills.
Study abroad is encouraged—the semester-long Kenyon in Rome program offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to spend the fall studying cultural sites in Rome, Florence and Naples with art history faculty. Closer to home, the Gund Gallery features a growing permanent collection of contemporary art, new exhibitions each semester, and a student curatorial program.
Featured Courses
American Art to 1900
Does American culture have a single, identifiable character? How have Americans reconciled their uneasy relationship with European culture? How have American political values informed cultural expression? This course presents an overview of painting, sculpture and architecture from colonial times to 1900.
Romanesque and Gothic Art
Explore the arts of medieval Europe from the 10th through the 14th centuries. We will learn about the rich traditions of architecture, sculpture, painting and the decorative arts from the Romanesque and Gothic period within the cultural context of monastic reform, pilgrimage and chivalry.
Introduction to Islamic Art and Architecture
Survey the history of Islamic art and architecture between the 7th and 16th centuries, exploring the rich visual and artistic traditions that developed and thrived under the caliphates and dynasties that ruled medieval Spain, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia. Along the way, learn about art-historical research strategies and methods for writing about art.
Modern Chinese Art
Between the Opium Wars and the Communist Revolution, China faced challenges in terms of sovereignty, dignity and culture, and its art experienced importation of Western forms and aesthetics. Explore how the two artistic traditions clashed, coexisted and were integrated as Chinese artists attempted to infuse their art with their cultural identity.
Opportunities for Students
Take advantage of hands-on curatorial experiences, state-of-the art visual resources, a world-class museum and opportunities to travel and learn with Kenyon professors in Rome.
Gund Gallery
Kenyon College
Gambier, Ohio 43022
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The Departments of Art History and Classics are exited to welcome Elizabeth Marlowe, the chair of the Art Department and the director of the Program in Museum Studies at Colgate University.