ARTH 1610 - The History and Politics of Landscape in Art

Goals: The land has historically been critical to the forming of national and individual identities. Through its representation in art and visual culture, it has been put to the service of politics, economics, class, and gender, as well as personal expression and the quest for beauty.

Content: This course examines the representation of landscape from its beginnings as “background” in 15th century Renaissance images, to a powerful independent genre in the 19th century, a “dematerialized image” in the late 20th, and a newly popular art form today that meets multiple needs. We will examine images along with primary source readings and, on occasion, a visit by a contemporary landscape artist.

Taught: Alternate years

Credits: 4 credits