History of Art, Archaeology, and Visual Studies
Field Description
Students choose a major concentration and two minor ones, one (in rare cases, both) of which may be in another field. The format of examinations in the major and minor concentrations is determined in consultation with each member of the Special Committee. Individual exams are followed by an oral exam with all members of the committee.
Research and study opportunities:
The Fine Arts Library in Sibley Hall has extensive holdings in art and architectural history; Olin and Kroch Libraries have excellent resources in history, literature, and other related fields. Particularly notable are the special collections on Dante, Petrarch, witchcraft, the history of science, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.
The Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art is particularly strong in modern and Asian art. It also has a study collection in other fields, including a rich print collection. A study gallery and classroom in the museum make it a regular part of instruction.
The Department of History of Art has a collection of over 300,000 slides and a study collection of photographs of works of art.
The field sponsors a colloquium including graduate students in the field. Students are also encouraged to participate in one of many interdisciplinary groups in theory, medieval studies, the Renaissance colloquium, the Southeast Asia program, and others.
Students interested in the history of architecture and urban development may want to consider the Field of Architecture.
Contact Information
Email: art_history@cornell.edu
Phone: 607 255-9861 or 607 255-4905
GM08 Goldwin Smith Hall
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Subject and Degrees
Concentrations by Subject
History of Art and Archaeology
- 19th century art
- African, African American, and African Diaspora
- American art
- ancient art and archaeology
- Asian American art
- baroque art
- comparative modernities
- contemporary art
- digital art
- East Asian art
- history of photography
- Islamic art
- Latin American art
- medieval art
- modern art
- Native American and Indigenous studies
- Renaissance art
- South Asian art
- Southeast Asian art
- theory and criticism
- visual studies