Studies in the History of Art

Studies in the History of Art
Title	Studies in the History of Art
Discipline	Art history
Publisher	National Gallery of Art
Country	United States
History	1972–present
Website	https://www.nga.gov/research/publications/studies-in-the-history-of-art.html

Studies in the History of Art. This distinguished monograph series, published by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., serves as a premier venue for advanced scholarly research in the field of art history. Originating from the museum's Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts (CASVA), the series presents in-depth, peer-reviewed studies on a wide array of topics, from antiquity to the modern era. Its volumes are renowned for their rigorous scholarship, high production values, and contributions to ongoing academic discourse, often stemming from symposia and research initiatives sponsored by the National Gallery of Art.

Definition and Scope

The series is defined by its commitment to publishing substantial, book-length studies that delve deeply into specific art historical subjects, rather than brief articles. Its scope is intentionally broad and interdisciplinary, encompassing the visual arts of all periods and cultures. Typical volumes might focus on the painting of the Italian Renaissance, the architecture of Ancient Rome, or the sculpture of Mesoamerica. The series frequently explores connections between art and other fields such as literature, political history, and the history of science, as seen in studies of Leonardo da Vinci or the Dutch Golden Age. This expansive approach ensures the series addresses the global history of art, including non-Western traditions and cross-cultural exchanges.

Methodological Approaches

Volumes in the series employ a diverse range of art historical methodologies, reflecting the evolution of the discipline itself. Traditional connoisseurship and formal analysis are often foundational, particularly in studies of attribution and style, such as those concerning Rembrandt or Michelangelo. Many contributions utilize social history approaches, examining art within its original context of patronage, religious practice, or court culture, as in analyses of Medici commissions or Baroque altarpieces. More recent volumes incorporate methods from gender studies, postcolonial theory, and material culture, investigating topics like the representation of women in Impressionism or the collection of African art in Europe.

Historical Development

The series was inaugurated in 1972, emerging from the scholarly environment fostered by the National Gallery of Art under director J. Carter Brown. Its establishment was closely tied to the founding of the Center for Advanced Study in the Visual Arts (CASVA) in 1979, which provided an institutional home for the fellowship programs and symposia that frequently generate the research published in the series. Over decades, it has evolved from a more traditional focus on Western art to a deliberately global perspective, mirroring broader shifts within academia. The series has maintained a consistent reputation for quality, with its development paralleling major exhibitions and research initiatives at the National Gallery of Art, such as those on Andrew Wyeth or the Silk Road.

Major Publications and Series

The series is characterized by its numbered volumes, each dedicated to a specific theme or set of essays. Notable publications often arise from major symposia; for example, volumes have been dedicated to the art of Pablo Picasso, the Gothic architecture of Chartres Cathedral, and the photography of Walker Evans. Some volumes serve as *Festschrift* collections honoring eminent scholars like Erwin Panofsky or Julius S. Held. The series also includes occasional monographs that become standard references in their sub-fields, such as studies on technological examination of Old Master paintings or the iconography of Buddhist art in Asia.

Influence on Art Historical Scholarship

*Studies in the History of Art* has exerted a significant influence on the direction of art historical scholarship, particularly in North America. By providing a prestigious and rigorously edited platform for extended research, it has helped define key debates and introduce new areas of inquiry. Volumes from the series are routinely cited in major journals like *The Art Bulletin* and are essential holdings in research libraries worldwide, including the Getty Research Institute and the Warburg Institute. The series' association with CASVA and its fellowship programs has also nurtured the careers of generations of art historians, many of whom have gone on to hold prominent positions at institutions like Harvard University and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Notable Scholars and Contributors

The series has featured contributions from a veritable who's who of international art historians. Early volumes included work by towering figures such as Sir John Pope-Hennessy, an authority on Italian Renaissance sculpture, and Otto Pächt, a leading scholar of medieval manuscript illumination. More recent contributors include specialists like Salvador Salort-Pons, Simon Schama, and Zainab Bahrani. The editorial direction has been guided by scholars associated with CASVA, including former deans like Henry A. Millon and Elizabeth Cropper, ensuring the series maintains its exacting scholarly standards and continues to engage with the most pressing questions in the study of visual culture.

Category:Art history journals Category:National Gallery of Art Category:Academic publishing series