Having never studied art history while deliberately using theory, I found the expanse of theories applicable to art history\u2019s study surprising and enlightening. D\u2019Alleva begins by showing that theory is difficult to define and always changing, therefore eliminating my preconceptions that theory is a simple idea and preparing me to be more receptive to the theories in the chapters to follow.<\/p>\n
After reading and learning about each of the theories, I concluded that every theory has its advantages, but that each is incomplete and can only be best applied to art when used concurrently with other theories. For example, I found formalism to be too inadequate of an approach to art, but that it is valuable because it helps to narrow the mind of the researcher and prevents the study of artists from being mistaken for the study of art. Formalism combined with iconography and the history of ideas would allow for a more well-rounded approach to a work of art by taking into account the formal qualities, the meanings of the images, and the context of the piece itself.<\/p>\n
While completing the reading I was particularly drawn to the discussion of word and image due to James Elkins conviction that \u201cart history’s words are always doomed to failure on some level, because there are aspects of images that are beyond explaining\u201d. I found this statement intriguing because it presents a paradox in art history; that no matter the research done, or theories used, art history fails the reader, and can only be fulfilled when the artwork is viewed in person. However, art history (although doomed from the perspective of the word and image theory) continues to be studied and researched because from the point of view of the other theories, the merit of a piece of art history can lie in the discussion of art\u2019s iconography, semiotics, role in culture, meaning with respect to the identity of the artist, or any of its other facets.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Having never studied art history while deliberately using theory, I found the expanse of theories applicable to art history\u2019s study surprising and enlightening. D\u2019Alleva begins by showing that theory is difficult to define and always changing, therefore eliminating my preconceptions that theory is a simple idea and preparing me to be more receptive to the … <\/p>\n