History of Art
In our increasingly visual world, we’re surrounded by images every minute. Many of the photos, videos, commercials, billboards, and logos you see may not seem like art…but look closer. Art, design, communication, and business have never been more connected. Think, for instance, of Adobe Illustrator software, branded with an image of a woman’s face and flowing blond hair—borrowed from Botticelli’s 15th-century painting The Birth of Venus: High-tech software plus Renaissance art equals successful product launch.
Whatever your major, understanding the history of art holds endless possibilities. As a designer or artist, you’ll find inspiration in the design motifs and traditions of cultures from every time and place. As a marketer or product developer, you’ll discover images, objects, and cultural references that resonate with today’s audiences. Most important, you’ll learn that works of art don’t exist in a vacuum; they’re connected to the world around them, and must be understood in that context.
FIT’s History of Art Department offers more than 20 courses, representing the arts of Western and non-Western cultures, from Africa, Asia, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. You can explore art from the prehistoric to the postmodern, or study the history of architecture, costume, industrial design, photography, and textiles.
In New York City, one of the world’s great art centers, an array of superb museums and vibrant galleries become your extended campus. On field trips and on your own, you’ll have opportunities to see treasures of all kinds and periods.
See your advisor regarding course requirements for your major.
- Our distinguished faculty take full advantage of New York’s cultural resources, including the many galleries in Chelsea, a short walk from campus.
- The Bachelor of Science program in Visual Art Management is FIT’s only liberal arts major.