Art sense: The responsibilities of an art historian includes budgeting, planning and implementing exhibitions

Art, be it ancient art, medieval art, renaissance art, abstract art, surrealism, impressionism, modern art or contemporary art, reflects the history and development of our society.

The study of art history provides a comprehensive introduction to the fundamental changes which have occurred in both the institutions and practice of art over the years.

After the imperial Mughal ateliers, the tradition of miniature painting, for example, is generally seen as having passed on to the Rajput courts like those of Ajmer, Bundi, Kota, Kishangarh and then to the Company school. The schools of painting that flowered in the hill kingdoms of northern India are referred to as Pahari.

Thus, the art historian seeks to interpret and understand works of art of many types by studying the artists’ lives as well as the social conditions that they lived in.

What do i have to do?

Art historians support and promote the study of art history. They are professional art and design historians, researchers or students who are involved in education, galleries, museums and art-related publishing, or any other activity linked with art and design history.

Despite the great gap in our knowledge of continuous history, the story of Indian paintings begins with the art of primitive man in rock shelters and caves.

Indian art has been witness to different cultures and the influence of each culture can be seen in Indian art. It has evolved and changed over the eras.

All the evolving and influencing by way of social, political and religious upheavals have also carved their niche in the world of art.

Every state of India has left its own distinctive cultural influence on art.

The responsibilities of an art historian includes budgeting, planning, and implementing exhibitions, overseeing art exhibitions as well as undertaking original research and providing scholarly contributions to museum publications and gallery texts.

Art historians also help in building and refining the collections by recommending new acquisitions and soliciting donations for that. They help oversee the care of the art collection and its conservation. One should have experience in exhibitions and publications, close familiarity with museum practices, and a broad knowledge of art history to do justice to the job.

Excellent communication and organisational skills, success in fundraising, grant writing, and donor cultivation, ability to work well with and motivate staff, volunteers, students, and faculty are the other essential attributes.

What should i study?

For the graduate course offered at M.S. University, Baroda, you should have passed your Plus Two exam of the Gujarat State Board with English as one of the subjects. Selection is on the basis of an aptitude test conducted by the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S.University, Baroda.

For the postgraduate course, you should have done a BA (honours) with history of art or fine arts as one of the main subjects of BFA or an equivalent degree from a recognised university or institute.

Candidates with an MA or an equivalent degree in ancient Indian history and culture or archaeology, comparative aesthetics, literature and fine arts are also eligible to apply for this course.

What next?

You can find employment as a curator, art appraiser, archivist, historic preservation specialist in art galleries, art preservation firms, media organisations, performing art centres, theatre companies etc.

In India trained art historians can easily find openings at any of the three National Museum Centres at Delhi, Calcutta and Lucknow, or at private art firms and galleries.

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) centre at New Delhi also offers employment. Many art historians also teach at colleges and universities.

Others use art history to hone their intellectual abilities in art for careers in art journalism, media, advertising, publishing, fashion designing, archaeology, art dealing (involves trading art materials) which requires not only a good business sense but artistic skills as well. Thus, art history offers a promising future.

where to study

• M.S. University Baroda, www.msubaroda.ac.in
• The National Museum Institute of History of Art, Conservation and Museology (deemed University), New Delhi
• School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
• University of Bombay, Mumbai www.mu.ac.in