What do art historians do?
Art historians search for information by inquiry-asking questions and making good guesses. They use two methods of historical inquiry: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic methods focus on clues located in the art work itself and include subject and theme, composition, expressive qualities, and the physical (size of the work, dating and analysis of the materials used) and technical (procedures) characteristics of the work. They question what is actually observed in the art work. This method is similar to art criticism. Extrinsic methods question the external context of an artwork. They seek information about the artwork and artist in his or her culture. This includes functions of the art work, the history of its ownership, the artist’s educational art training, his or her patronage, and economic and political influences. Finally religious, philosophical and other cultural concerns that may have affected the artist are considered. These elements illuminate the artwork’s creation process a
