Clemente Course: Art History – Whitworth Women’s Facility, Spring 2022
COURSE DESCRIPTION
THEMES IN ART
Themes in Art will introduce you to major works of art and architecture from the time of the cave
paintings to Greece and Rome, the Renaissance and our own contemporary period. We will also
explore native Georgia artist and the Georgia Museum of Arts collection. We will look at art from a
thematic perspective and explore works from around the world, comparing similarities and
differences in the art and cultural context it was born out of. These themes address fundamental
principles, attitudes and issues that still are very much a part of our own lives.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the course is three-fold:
1. First, it aims to develop students’ abilities to observe, describe and analyze works of art and
architecture in oral, written and visual form.
2. Second, through the study of art and architecture students will have the opportunity to develop
their critical thinking regarding the interpretation of visual and physical evidence.
3. Third, students will address art in context and relevant fundamental human issues in the past
and in contemporary life.
4. Students will work with the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit and develop a curated
show and explore theme, personal reflection and research.
REQUIRED READINGS
Handouts will be given out each week on topics relevant to the lectures. Students will also have
access to the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
1. Each week there will be readings and a short written assignment or project in the classroom.
2. Art Assignments will be given to explore art visually outside the classroom.
3. Selection of artworks to be included in GMoA show in 2023. Reflections will be written on
artworks chosen.
4. An essay describing and using the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit to develop a theme
for a curated show (approximately 3 pages).
4. Attendance at all classes and course activities, keeping up with the assigned reading, and active
participation in class including accurate note taking are expected and are critical for your mastery
of the subject matter.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As a student and member of the Clemente community, you are expected to adhere to a code of
academic integrity. BE SURE to provide a citation for all quotes (direct and indirect) and cite
where you find specific images.
COURSE OUTLINE
1. 3/25/2022 INTRODUCTION
Understanding how to talk about art
Music – “Starry Night” by Don McLean, “Mona Lisa” by Nat King Cole
A. What is Art History? A history of art history
B. How can we talk about art?
Formal – Elements and Principles
Thematic – major themes
Comparative – inter and cross cultural
Historical – art in context
Aesthetics – beauty, the sublime and a personal approach
C. Artworks
The Mona Lisa, Starry Night,
selections from the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
D. Reading – “What is Art for? 27 Responses to the Question “What is Art?””
E. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 1,
selected reading from The Letters of Vincent Van Gogh
2. 4/1 2022 TALKING ABOUT PAINTING
Formal analysis of art in practice
A. Artworks
The Road to Emmaus by Carrvaggio,
selections from the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – Elements and Principles Workbook
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 2,
selected reading from The Creative Habit by Twyla Tharp
3. 4/8/2022 RESEARCH DAY
Working with selections from the Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
to begin to develop a theme for the curated show or possible visit by Callun
A. Reading – Think Like a Curator
B. Assignment – write a reflection on one work from the collection
4. 4/15/2022 HANDPRINTS ON THE WALL
a look at humans needs to leave their mark and communicate
Music – Ancient Cave Music (vocals, bone flute) by Rupert Till
A. Artworks
Chauvet Cave, Early Christian Art, The Bull by Pablo Picasso, Autumn Rhythm by
Jackson Pollack, Graffiti art, Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – “What Cave Art Means”
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 1, selected reading from Herzog on Herzog
5. 4/22/2022 STORY IN ART
Works that depict historical events, myths and stories
Music – “1952 Vincent Black Lightning” by Richard Thompson
A. Artist
Caravaggio, Fransisco Goya, Anselm Keifer, Cheyenne Ledger Drawings,
Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – selected short stories, make an artwork based on the story
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 3,
selected reading from Catching the Big Fish by David Lynch
6. 4/29/2022 PILES OF DIRT TO THE SKY
The human desire to reach the heavens
Music – “te deum i te deum” by Arvo Part
A. Artworks
Pyramids, Mayan Temples, Kolomoki Mounds in South Georgia, The Empire State
Building, James Turrell, Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – Selected text on the Kolomoki Mounds in South Georgia
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 4,
selected reading from Sculpting in Time by Andre Tarkovsky
7. 5/6/2022 WRITING DAY
Theme writing day or possible visit by Callun
8. 5/13/2022 SELFIES
The self-portrait tradition in art
Music – “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by the Velvet Underground
A. Artist
Rembrandt, Cindy Sherman, Marc Chagall, Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – Before the Selfie, the Self-portrait by Alicia Eler
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 4,
selected reading from Lives of the Artist by Georgio Vasari
9. 5/20/2022 THE THIN PLACES (optional week 9)
An exploration of transcendence in art
Music – “Orthodox Authentic Divine Worship Sounds of Hagia Sophia, Constantinople”
A. Artworks
Chartes Cathedral, Caspar David Freidrich, Mark Rothko, Marc Chagall,
Hagia Sophia, Georgia Museum of Art Traveling Art Kit
B. Reading – Selection of Chartres Cathedral by Malcolm Miller,
The Artist Reality: Philosophies of Art by Mark Rothko
C. Assignment – Art Assignment no. 5.
