The artistic ideals of James Abbott McNeill Whistler were informed by the Aesthetic movement and its emphasis on refinement, subtlety, and belief in the autonomy of art. His admiration for Asian art prompted experimentation with abstract color and composition. He also created visual arrangements and color harmonies that correspond to those in music. Art historian Aneta Georgievska Shine looks at how these ideals were expressed in Whistler’s works. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Philadelphia Art Museum curator David Barquist highlights the Arts and Crafts movement by focusing on Philadelphia artists who sought to correct what they saw as the poor quality of factory production by embracing the British Arts and Crafts movement's principles of handwork, simplicity in design, and what they called “truth to materials.” Despite their shared interest in Arts and Crafts principles, the artists created individual responses that were shaped in part by the size and organization of their workshops. (World Art History Certificate elective, ½ credit)
During the early years of the Great Depression, Americans experienced economic decline on a scale that was without precedent in the nation’s history. Historian Edward O’Donnell explores the causes and impact of this era in an examination of the key aspects of President Roosevelt’s New Deal, including the philosophical and political ideas behind it.
Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life is a beloved Christmas classic. Yet when the film was released in 1946, it was a box office flop, won no Academy Awards, and was largely forgotten—until it was rediscovered through endless airings on local TV stations beginning in the 1970s. Media historian Brian Rose examines the movie’s fascinating story.
Fantasy is now an established and lucrative genre with a dizzying array of popular iterations across literature, games, and film. But the story of how hobbits, dungeons, knights, and dragons took over our collective imaginations is a long, complex one. In a fall series, historian Justin M. Jacobs explores the origins of the modern fantasy genre, from the evolution of obscure Gothic novels to the iconic works of J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert E. Howard, and the co-creators of Dungeons & Dragons. This session focuses on the cultural impact of the fantasy roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons.
Few art forms capture the spirit of design and function quite like Scandinavian glass, celebrated worldwide for its elegant simplicity and innovative craftsmanship. From classic pieces like Alvar Aalto’s flowing Savoy vase to the bold experimentation of mid-century designers, Scandinavian glass transformed the art world and redefined everyday objects as works of art. Art historian Jennie Hirsh traces the evolution of this distinctive Danish, Swedish, and Finnish glassmaking from the 19th century to the present, with a special focus on the groundbreaking developments of the 20th century. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Ages 5 to 10. Celebrate the holiday season with traditions from around the world.
Begin your watercolor portrait journey stress-free as you study photographs of well-known sculptures to practice monochromatic portraits and then build up to painting a portrait of your choice.
