Why We Study Art: Crash Course Art History #1

Art history is much more than names, dates, and creepy babies. It helps us understand how history itself gets constructed and told. In this episode of Crash Course Art History, we’ll learn how interpreting artwork reveals connections among all of us, across cultures and across time.

Introduction: The Stories Art Tells 00:00
What Is Art History? 01:33
The Medicis & Giorgio Vasari 03:17
How Art History Developed 04:43
How History Is Shaped by What Survives 08:10
Review & Credits 11:06

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Thanks to the following patrons for their generous monthly contributions that help keep Crash Course free for everyone forever:
Leah H., David Fanska, Andrew Woods, DL Singfield, Ken Davidian, Stephen Akuffo, Toni Miles, Steve Segreto, Kyle & Katherine Callahan, Laurel Stevens, Burt Humburg, Perry Joyce, Scott Harrison, Mark & Susan Billian, Alan Bridgeman, Breanna Bosso, Matt Curls, Jennifer Killen, Jon Allen, Sarah & Nathan Catchings, team dorsey, Bernardo Garza, Trevin Beattie, Eric Koslow, Indija-ka Siriwardena, Jason Rostoker, Siobhán, Ken Penttinen, Nathan Taylor, Barrett & Laura Nuzum, Les Aker, William McGraw, Vaso, ClareG, Rizwan Kassim, Constance Urist, Alex Hackman, Pineapples of Solidarity, Katie Dean, Stephen McCandless, Wai Jack Sin, Ian Dundore, Caleb Weeks
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[Tunality]

“Art helps us understand History as a constructed account” is such an important idea to grapple with!! So many people people treat history as the Truth™️ Can’t wait for this series and glad to see that Sarah Urist Green is hosting it!!

[trishamcmillan]

The Yeti is Back!!! I love her sooo much! Been watching since The Art Assignment and I am glad to be back witnessing Her Greatness!!!

[kellyb]

I'm so emotional over this whole series: Sarah Urist Green hosting, the new canon, the recognition of the value of art and history. I'm still crying

[Dycehart]

HELL YEAH BOIS WE GETTIN EDUCATED TODAY

[nleshin]

Omg I have missed your voice from your own Chanel and I am sooo happy you are making more videos!! Your voice has always been soothing and your videos are always packed with interesting info and keeps us engaged!! Welcome back!

[SuperNova]

I haven't been this excited for a crash course series since theater!

[acchristianson]

I can listen to Sarah talk about art all day. So glad to have you teaching us again! ❤️

[MrDietsam]

I keep rewatching Art Assignment videos because of how well they are made and because I always pickup something on the rewatch.
I'm very happy to see SUG hosting again, looking forward to this series!

[AccentedCinema]

It's like I'm back in art school again! School anxiety has never been this fun!🎉

[MrARock]

I have never gone from so disinterested to so incredibly interested in a subject so quickly! A wonderful introductory episode!

[Beryllahawk]

Off to a great start! I am loving the way you've framed the concepts, placing them inside familiar language for the younger folks. I'm "old, " and terms like "influencer" and "sponsored content" are sensible but not familiar in the same way. So with one choice in phrasing you're not only connecting us to the past, the history that was - but to each other and the history that's Now. VERY impressed and looking forward to the next episode!!!

[rolandtowen]

Love love love this series! Would love to see a music history and/or music theory series in the future

[AnotherGradus]

A superb approach to Art History-- continuing the Gombrich-aligned "Art History is History" only with more Sontag, Lippard, and Greenberg type criticisms.

[swiftie]

I can't wait for the rest of this series! Sarah is so engaging. I've only recently become interested in art, after visiting the Tate Britain museum in London. Now I can't get enough of it.

[richclarey]

The Art Assignment was one of the best things on the internet and I am so glad this is here.

[gypsydonovan]

Yay! I’ve been so excited for this series! 🎉🎨

[olischues]

This has been a long time coming and I’m looking forward to following this on a weekly basis!

[Thetechnicolorchild]

Been with Crash Course since the beginning, so happy to see Sarah have a series! 🥰

[imCurious_eye]

If aliens were to visit us and ask "Who are you?" - Art to me is the best answer to that question. It will show them everything about who we are, going through: emotions, wars, love, conflict, development, and everything that makes us, us. Art is the best exploration tool to the wider depths of what "human nature" is. Learning about human nature is thus why we study art, to better understand ourselves, other fellow humans, and leave a mark on earth of our presence and existence.

[britneycampbell]

I hope this series never ends I’m so excited 🥳