Art of the United States

Catalog description

This course provides an introduction to the history of American art from the colonial era to the present through the examination of paintings, sculpture, architecture and photography. Special emphasis is given to the cultural, social and historical contexts in which American art flourishes. We begin by examining the negotiations between colonial and European styles. We then move to issues of displaced populations, myths of the American landscape, transatlantic experiences of expatriate artists, conflicts between urban and rural conceptualization of the "typical" American experience, and the role of the American avant -garde after World War II. Course fee required.