Standing at the geographic intersection of several cultures, Croatia has been coveted by various foreign powers for centuries, with Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Ottomans all leaving their mark. Aneta Georgievska-Shine, a scholar of Renaissance and Baroque art, examines the artistic legacy of this long and tangled history by exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Site city of Dubrovnik and other significant sites. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
From preserving his father’s family photographs and his own teenage documentaries of outdoor adventures through his youth in Paris to his physical breakdown in Africa and Cuba, Ernest Hemingway’s process served as his magnetic north throughout his eventful life. Drawing on his personal papers and private photograph collection, Hemingway biographer Hilary Justice recreates how Hemingway worked, illustrating the writer’s process: Experience sparks inspiration, and creativity meets craft in service of “one true sentence.”
Giraffes maintain complex social systems: They form lifelong friendships, establish babysitting crèches, and follow matriarchal leaders. In the past 30 years, however, giraffe populations have declined by roughly 40 percent, placing them at risk of extinction. Wildlife conservation biologist Fred Bercovitch explores the hidden social lives of giraffes.
Casa Buonarroti in Florence offers an intimate perspective on Michelangelo’s life and legacy, distinct from his monumental public works. The house museum is a carefully constructed site of family memory, shaped by Michelangelo’s descendants in the 17th century. Through Casa Buonarroti’s architecture, decorative programs, and collection of early works, Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero reveals how examples of artistic genius were curated within a domestic setting. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
Rachel Carson rose to prominence through poetic nonfiction celebrating the natural world, especially the oceans, drawing on her marine zoology background and years with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Her articles in major magazines and bestselling books earned her the title “Biographer of the Sea.” Her final work, Silent Spring, reshaped public understanding of environmental harm and came to define her legacy. Environmental educator Rebecca Henson examines Carson’s writing process, the book’s cultural impact, and the ecological vision that guided her career.
Pull out your sketchbook and pencil to take an artful break as you explore the Smithsonian while drawing objects from vast and fascinating collections.
Composers from the countries situated around the Baltic, North, and Norwegian seas have long held a cherished place in concert halls. Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Nielsen, and Arvo Pärt are among those who shaped the understanding of their varied cultures. Their music explores mysterious folklores, vast frozen land and seascapes, spiritual beliefs, and turbulent histories. In a 4-session series, speaker and concert pianist Rachel Franklin uses live piano demonstrations and film clips to explore both well- and lesser-known masterpieces from the North.
Since ancient times, the Ganges has been embodied as the goddess Ganga, and her reach stretches well beyond the riverbanks. Art historian Robert DeCaroli traces the Ganges from its origins in the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal, exploring historic and sacred locations along the way. He also examines the art and architecture used to enhance and replicate access to Ganga’s sacred waters. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
The American War of Independence freed the 13 British colonies in North America from Crown rule and set the stage for the United States’ bold experiment in self-government. Drawing on primary sources, historian Christopher Hamner traces the war from its roots in the crises of the 1770s through the opening campaigns of the conflict, culminating in the American victories at Trenton and Princeton and an examination of British strategy in a springtime series. This session focuses on American Revolution events around Christmas 1776.
Raphael, one of the High Renaissance’s great masters alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo, rose from Perugino’s apprentice in Urbino to the favored artist of popes and princes. In just two decades, he synthesized influences into serene compositions and ideal beauty, leaving a legacy of harmony and grace before his death at 37. Art historian Elaine Ruffolo explores his extraordinary ascent—from early apprenticeships under Perugino to encounters with Michelangelo and Leonardo in Florence, and finally to his crowning achievements in Rome. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)
