American Art in the 20th Century

Course Title: American Art in the 20th Century

Catalog Description

Everyone has heard of Georgia O'Keeffe, but do you know about Florine Stettheimer? What about Joan Mitchell? Let's look at American art of the 20th century from a woman's point of view first. Then let's consider the major African-American artists. Finally we'll turn to the mainstream artists. You've probably heard of Edward Hopper, but what about Thomas Hart Benton and Arthur Dove? American art is so relevant to our lives, the images are so familiar, that the artists seem more like neighbors or friends than far away icons. Come and get to know the people who told America's story in the 20th century in paint.

Course Proposal

Students become familiar with the names of major American women artists: Gertrude Whitney, Florine Stettheimer, Georgia O'Keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Alice Neel, Joan Mitchell, Helen Frankenthaler, Louise Nevelson, Ruth Asawa.

Students learn the names of two of the foremost African American painters: W. H. Johnson, Jacob Lawrence.

Students become familiar with the stars of American art in the 20th century: Edward Hopper, George Bellows, Thomas Hart Benton, Joseph Stella, Arthur Dove, Marsden Hartley, Stuart Davis, Jackson Pollock, Roy Lictenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Sol LeWitt, Jasper Johns, Wayne Thiebaud, Chuck Close.

Format

Course presentation will take the form of a narrated slide show using instructor's own photos, presented via computer-aided projection. Plenty of time will be allowed for discussion and interpretation. Review periods and exercises will be provided to help firm up learning. Materials provided by instructor, including ample online access to photos of paintings.

Course Material

20th Century American Art