While I’m going to keep writing about media literacy until the end of the year, maybe you want a little more structure. Art history is an ideal way to teach yourself because it shows cause and effect. You can view any art object as a snapshot of its moment in time, and many have shaped history. Take the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo. The ceiling was created before the Protestant Reformation, being finished five years before Martin Luther’s 95 Theses. Michelangelo created The Last Judgment as the Catholic Church worked on its response to the massive schism in Europe. Understanding those historical elements helps you see the difference in tenor between the two works—same artist, very different vibe.
Art history also has a natural order. I’ve read many people suggest you should ignore the canon as hopelessly backward, or ignore art periods. Don’t listen to them! Why make learning harder on yourself? Learning requires a framework. Art history has taught the canon for decades. There are scores of materials. Do not reinvent the wheel when you’re driving the car. That said, if you’re teaching yourself, you don’t need to be exhaustive. After all, burnout is the enemy.
So, now what? I’d invite you to open a Google Doc and copy in these categories:
Prehistory
Ancient Art
Medieval Art
Renaissance Art
Baroque Art
Neoclassical
19th Century
20th Century
For each period, before you plan your syllabus, write what you think you know about that period. Write any artists or artworks that you know. Write what you want to know. Push yourself on this last one. This is the most essential part of learning — the desire to find the answer. Set this aside for a day, then revise it.
With that list, you are ready to create your syllabus. Be smart with your time. If you’re prone to rabbit hole exploration, set a timer for picking out your materials. For each area, find at least one source that is text, video, or audio. I’d recommend sticking to museum websites. Yes, I know I run multiple social media accounts. I do have two long courses, one on art history and one on visual literacy. But any individual educator on their own account is giving you their own slant. Museums will give you a general understanding that will serve as a solid basis for your future learning.
Now for the really fun/ hard part. Actually accomplishing what you’ve decided can feel like the hardest thing. Here’s where a solid plan is essential. Make yourself a recurring appointment on your phone. Never cancel on yourself. Also, remember, learning to learn is just about showing up regularly. Your art history course could be 30 minutes a week for the year. It could be five minutes every evening. All you need to do is make time to learn. Give your brain the regular joy of learning something new. At the end of each session, take a moment to reflect on what you learned. Write this down. At the end of each unit, reflect on everything you've learned. You’ve done something!
Finally, remember the most important thing about art history: it is both art and history. Understanding the history helps you appreciate the art, but understanding art helps you understand the history. Each time you sit down to learn, take some time to look at the art of the period. Just look at it. Look for the textures and the colors. If it doesn’t immediately appeal to you, try to understand why. If you love it, ask yourself what it reminds you of. Spend time with the art. The best thing about art history, for me, is that each item connects us to people who lived before us.
