History of Art

The history of art collection covers the history, criticism, theory, and analysis of visual arts and culture. Particular collection strengths include the pre-twentieth century art and architecture of Islam, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. The collection also represents the art and architecture of antiquity, the early Christian world, and Byzantium; Romanesque and Gothic art of the medieval era; and the Renaissance, Baroque, early modern, and modern periods.

Our collecting practices have expanded to include representation from people traditionally underrepresented and marginalized in art and visual culture studies, to facilitate the multidisciplinary study of art at the intersections of race, gender, social class, and technology. 

The collection aims to support the teaching and research needs of the History of Art department. Materials include books, exhibition catalogues, and publications issued by foreign and domestic museums and galleries. We collect in a variety of languages, particularly French, German, Italian, Chinese, and Japanese. 

Important related collections 

Related collecting areas on campus include art and design and architecture.

Special history of art collections, which include folios, facsimiles, rare volumes, and Asian language materials, are shelved offsite and may be retrieved for consultation.