Art History by Eleni

Art History by Eleni - January 2023 Scholarship Essay

Humanity can be defined in so many ways, by so many things, but one of the most important characteristics and defining factors of humankind is our art. Throughout history, humans have shown their civilization, standards, beliefs, religion, life, and culture through their artwork. Through art, humanity’s history is written.
Art history is fundamental to education, and it should be a required class. Art teaches history from the perspective of the people living at that time, and that develops the importance of the perspective of their unique human experience. Art shows the undeniable creativity and wonder of humans beyond our lifetime and profoundly proves the miracle of the human mind.
There is nothing quite as nuanced and beautiful as the telling of history through art. When an artist creates a piece, this piece is a culmination of the lives and history before them for such a piece to be made. From the beginning of human existence, we have been leaving a material mark on the world. This mark becomes our art, and it becomes the ineffaceable footprints of humanity throughout the ages. It would be a tragedy for our educational system to leave out the important voice of our past by not requiring art history to be taught to every student.