The Chicago School of Art History

The Chicago School of Art History is a scholarly approach that developed at the University of Chicago, emphasizing the importance of historical context and formal analysis in understanding art. Scholars focus on how artworks reflect their cultural, social, and political environments, often incorporating interdisciplinary methods from history, literature, and social sciences. This approach aims to deepen insight into an artwork's meaning by examining its historical background, the artist's intentions, and its impact on society, promoting a comprehensive understanding of art as a product of its time rather than purely aesthetic objects.