The moment you hear the works Art History I can feel your eyes start to close, a sigh build up in your chest, and shoulders slump. Now that I'm back from the holidays you would think I'd pick a more interesting topic than Art History. The thing is it isn't endless slides and memorizing names and dates. Art is all about context, what were people doing, what was the artist thinking, why was this important then , and how did it help make the now possible? To get you thinking about Art History a little differently here are some of my favorite Art history resources that I promise, are not a complete snooze-fest.
Art Mongul https://www.amazon.com/G5-Entertainment-AB-Mogul-Full/dp/B01N7ILMZ7
Art Mongul is a game for your phone where you step into the shoes of an Art Mogul in this thrilling mix of hidden object, strategy and business sim. Travel around the world, bidding at exciting auctions, exposing fakes and masterpieces as well as acquiring priceless collections. Find over a thousand objects, open your very own art gallery and build your art empire that will stand the test of time.
TICE Art 1010 Videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfRt0Y7e5Ow
This short series of art history videos are incredibly informative, enthusiastically delivered by a cartoon names Art and the gift drawing Hand. They cover topics that often cause students to fall into a deep coma like state like Greek and Roman Art, Art of the 19th century, or Baroque through the Rococo. They are under ten minutes and are much more fun introductions that also don't underestimate the viewer's intelligence.
Modern Masters Documentary Series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkGfWZfRzWM
Modern art. Don't get it? What was the big deal? Has nothing to do with anything anymore? This is a great series for when you want to go more in depth with some of the titans of the 20th century like Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, and Henri Matisse, and Salvador Dali.
The Impressionists
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_eBah6c5kyA&t=2133s
Not into documentaries? Never fear a historical drama is here. This series follows the big names of the 19th century Impressionists movement from Monet, to Manet, Renior, and Degas. We even see some of the post impressionists who floated in and out of their circles. This helps brings the struggles and realities of these famed artists to life, not as the ubiquitously popular artists we know of them now, but as the very human and uncertain Artists struggling to do something new that they were.
These are only a few possible recourse that stray far from powerpoints and slideshows led by monotone voices. Do you have a favorite resource for art history? Please share!