All upcoming World Art History Certificate: Electives programs

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)

In 1734, the Duke of Parma (and soon-to-be King of Naples) had most of the extensive art collection established by his family moved from Parma to Naples. Filippo Borbone, who became Duke of Parma in 1748, was determined to hold on to what works were left. The collection eventually would become the National Gallery of Parma. Italian Renaissance art expert Rocky Ruggiero delves into the museum’s artworks, including important pieces by Correggio as well as La Scapigliata by da Vinci. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

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)

As the Mexican Revolution drew to a close in 1920, Mexico’s new democratic government commissioned public murals depicting what the nation could look like. They were painted by many artists, most notably José Clemente Orozco, Diego Rivera, and David Alfaro Siqueiros. Soon works by the three artists and others influenced by them appeared outside Mexico, too. Using the imagery and influences of works painted by Orozco, Siqueiros, and Rivera in the U.S., Walters Art Museum curator Ellen Hoobler explores how the ancient Americas and modern politics intertwined in 1930s and ‘40s public murals in the United States. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

French Post-Impressionist artist Paul Gauguin worked in Brittany’s Pont-Aven and later with Vincent van Gogh in Arles until he decided to travel to Tahiti in 1891. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar discusses Gauguin’s many travels with the French Navy and his time as a successful stockbroker before committing himself to painting. Focusing on Gauguin’s main masterpieces and his legacy, Cassar also provides a critical analysis of the works created by the artist during his visits to Tahiti. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

The study of iconography—how symbols and allegories function in art—offers a way to understand masterpieces that have puzzled scholars for generations. Art historian Noah Charney explores the rich stories hidden in details of paintings associated with Christmas, specifically representations created by a variety of artists of the adoration of the Christ Child by the Magi or shepherds. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

Winslow Homer remains one of the most celebrated American artists of the 19th century, renowned for his evocative portrayals of everyday life and the natural world. Rather than focus on society’s elite, Homer turned his attention to ordinary Americans, capturing them with honesty, restraint, and quiet empathy. Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton traces Homer’s artistic evolution, his commitment to American Realism, and his enduring legacy as a painter of elemental truths. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

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)

Artists in the Renaissance had to know mathematics and geometry and studied anatomy, classical culture, theology, and philosophy. Previously they had been seen as craftsmen valued only for skill, but with the rediscovery of classical art and new techniques, increasing value was placed on artistic innovation and creativity. From her home in Florence, Renaissance art historian Elaine Ruffolo examines how painting, sculpture, and architecture came to be considered part of the liberal arts rather than menial trades. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1/2 credit)

The Mediterranean island of Malta has a rich past that reaches back some 7,000 years—a culture that thrived well before the pyramids of Egypt. Art historian Joseph Paul Cassar, who was born on Malta, surveys its geography, history, and heritage as well as its vibrant modern and contemporary art. (World Art History Certificate elective, 1 credit)