In order to understand the place of Herbert Read both in 20th century aesthetics and art education, one needs to carefully consider the entire field of English art and aesthetics from 1900 to the beginning of the Second World War. This time frame was dominated by the thoughts of Roger Fry and Clive Bell, and works both literary and visual, of the…

This paper discusses the ideas of Conrad Fiedler, a 19th century German philosopher of art, concerning art criticism, or the judging of works of visual art. In addition to a brief biography of Conrad Fiedler, the paper's main subject is Fiedler's ideas on art criticism as expressed in his book "On Judging Works of Visual Art" (1876,…

Despite recent research by regional historians, Appalachian museums continue to collect and exhibit artifacts that conform to a century-old "canon" romanticizing pioneer life. Within this framework, Appalachian craft objects are considered low-status compared to the material culture of colonial elites exhibited in major urban museums.…

Paintings can fulfill many different pedagogical purposes. They can illuminate and bring to life historical events and characters. Paintings and other images can also make students aware of a point of view (the artist's commentary), which enriches and modifies the history they find in books and documents. This article provides examples of teaching…

Traces the historical relationship between Native Americans and cultural institutions such as museums through three stages: objectification of native peoples themselves as cultural artifacts, interpretation of native cultures on the basis of Eurocentric standards and from the viewpoint of the "vanishing native," and development of…

Provides four sample activities and illustrations to develop students' perceptual skills. Seeks to help teach students that (1) understanding art takes time and effort; (2) personal reactions are important; (3) understanding the culture in which artworks are created is useful; and (4) many different approaches are available for understanding art.…