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Kenney Mencher

The history of art from 1300 to the 20th Century

This is part two of a year-long college-level survey course in art history. This course covers art history from the European Renaissance around 1300 A.D. until the Mid 20th Century

This course is designed as a basic college-level survey of art history. I provide an online textbook as well as study guides and worksheets.  This course covers the language used to discuss art.  A complete overview of art, culture, and architecture from the Renaissance to the 1950s. 

Read more

The history of art from 1300 to the 20th Century

This is part two of a year-long college-level survey course in art history. This course covers art history from the European Renaissance around 1300 A.D. until the Mid 20th Century

This course is designed as a basic college-level survey of art history. I provide an online textbook as well as study guides and worksheets.  This course covers the language used to discuss art.  A complete overview of art, culture, and architecture from the Renaissance to the 1950s. 

Each work is covered in depth, the works physical or formal properties are discussed such as technology used to create the work, color, medium, materials, composition, and shading.

The symbolism of each work is discussed and how to interpret the interrelationship of symbols in a work of art. 

This course is the actual content of a course I teach at an accredited college in California called Ohlone college.

I designed this course as a series of clear, non-jargon laden video lectures and texts designed to help any student who wants to pass AP art history and or any beginning level art history survey course.

This course now has professionally created captions in English on 98% of all the videos.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • Pass any basic level art history class at the college level.
  • Go to museums and art galleries and really understand what you are looking at.

Syllabus

Udemy seems to change the extensions or file names of PDFs so here is how you fix it.
How to download the study guides and other texts on Udemy
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This is the study guide I give my students who take this for credit. I bet if you fill it out you will understand the content much better! I suggest printing it out and taking notes directly on it as you watch each lecture. Pause the video so you have time to write down your thoughts. Get the rest of the details from the on-line texts.

Hi! Just a small correction in this video. 

I mistranslated the Italian word duomo.  It does not mean "dome" in Italian.

Duomo is an Italian term for a church with the features of, or having been built to serve as, a cathedral, whether or not it currently plays this role. Monza Cathedral, for example, has never been a diocesan seat and is by definition not a cathedral.

Renaissance Art Intro to Florence (Professionally Captioned)

13th to 14th C Giotto, Dante and the Arena Chapel (Professionally Captioned)

14th C Transitions into Late Gothic to Proto Renaissance Art (with professional captions)

A correction. I have mistranslated the term duomo.

Duomo is an Italian term for a church with the features of, or having been built to serve as, a cathedral, whether or not it currently plays this role. Monza Cathedral, for example, has never been a diocesan seat and is by definition not a cathedral.

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Suitable for beginners interested in deepening their understanding of art history from the Renaissance to the 20th Century
Helps learners comprehend diverse artistic styles and movements across centuries, enhancing their understanding of art history
Provides a thorough grounding in art interpretation, encompassing symbolism, formal properties, and contextual significance
Delivers a comprehensive exploration of European art history, offering a solid foundation for further learning or museum visits
Taught by instructors with extensive experience and a passion for art history, which elevates the learning experience

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Reviews summary

In-depth art history survey (renaissance to 20th c)

According to learners, this course offers a comprehensive and well-structured survey of art history from the Renaissance through the 20th Century. Students particularly praise the instructor, Kenney Mencher, finding his lectures engaging, knowledgeable, and often delivered with a unique, memorable style. The course content is seen as highly informative and great for building a foundation in art history, suitable for both academic purposes like AP Art History or college courses and for general appreciation. While the video quality and some early technical aspects were noted by a few, recent reviews often highlight professional captions and consistent quality. The provided online textbook and study guides are considered valuable resources.
Earlier reviews noted some inconsistencies; recent ones are positive.
"Initially, some videos had less optimal audio or visual quality, but it seemed to improve later in the course."
"While the content is great, some of the earlier video production feels a bit dated."
"The recent addition of professional captions is a fantastic improvement."
"The video quality was generally good, and the instructor is clear throughout."
Instructor acknowledges and corrects occasional errors.
"It's great that the instructor includes correction videos for minor errors, shows commitment."
"Appreciated the follow-up messages and videos correcting small details like the 'duomo' translation."
"Shows the course is actively maintained and improved based on feedback."
"Minor corrections were handled promptly, adding to the course's reliability."
Online textbook and study guides are helpful resources.
"The online textbook and study guides are incredibly useful for following along and reviewing."
"I really appreciated having the downloadable study guides to take notes directly on."
"The e-text provided a lot of additional context and detail discussed in the videos."
"Having the study guides and text available for download made it feel like a real college course."
Great for college prep, AP Art History, or general interest.
"This course is perfect for anyone preparing for AP Art History or a college survey course."
"I took this to deepen my general appreciation for art, and it exceeded my expectations."
"Provided a solid academic foundation, just like a college class."
"This course is ideal for either refreshing knowledge or starting from scratch."
Covers art history from 1300s to the 1950s in depth.
"This course is a very comprehensive overview of art history from the Renaissance to the 20th century."
"The scope is vast, covering key periods and artists with sufficient depth for a survey course."
"I feel much more confident discussing art from these periods after taking this course."
"Excellent course, covering the Renaissance to 20th century, very thorough for an introduction."
Instructor Kenney Mencher makes lectures engaging.
"Kenney is an excellent, knowledgeable and very engaging presenter. His passion and experience shine through."
"The professor's passion and engaging lecture style make the extensive content approachable and interesting."
"I found the instructor to be highly engaging and knowledgeable, presenting the material in a compelling way."
"His lectures are presented in a very unique and memorable way that makes learning enjoyable."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Art History Renaissance to 20th Century with these activities:
Review basic drawing or painting skills
Enhance your understanding of artistic techniques and principles.
Browse courses on Drawing
Show steps
  • Find a beginner-friendly drawing or painting class
  • Practice drawing or painting basic shapes and forms
Practice recognizing art styles
Develop a keen eye for recognizing key characteristics of different art styles.
Browse courses on Art
Show steps
  • Find online quizzes or flashcards for art styles
  • Practice identifying styles
Refresh knowledge of European history
Make certain you have a solid understanding of European history before taking this course.
Browse courses on European History
Show steps
  • Review your notes from previous coursework, textbooks, or online resources.
  • Consider reviewing documentaries or other videos that provide an overview of key events and figures in European history.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Watch videos on art history
Gain a visual understanding of art styles, techniques, and movements.
Browse courses on Art History
Show steps
  • Search for videos on YouTube or other platforms
  • Watch videos on specific topics
Review "The Story of Art"
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the history of art from prehistoric times to the present day, making it an excellent resource for students in this course.
Show steps
  • Read through the book to get a basic understanding of the content.
  • Take notes on the key concepts and ideas presented in the book.
  • Review your notes regularly to reinforce your understanding.
Study online art history courses
Gain a systematic understanding of art history from reputable sources.
Browse courses on History of Art
Show steps
  • Search for online courses on platforms like Coursera or edX
  • Choose a course that aligns with your interests
  • Complete the course modules
Create a timeline of famous artists and their notable works
Visualize the progression and evolution of art periods and styles.
Show steps
  • Research artists and their works
  • Create a timeline using a spreadsheet or presentation software
Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art's online collection
This online collection provides a wealth of resources that can help you learn more about the art history covered in this course.
Browse courses on Renaissance Art
Show steps
  • Browse the collection by period or style.
  • Read the descriptions and analyses of the artworks.
  • Take note of any artworks that you find particularly interesting or important.
Discuss art history with friends
Consolidate understanding and gain different perspectives on art.
Browse courses on Art History
Show steps
  • Find friends who are interested in art
  • Discuss your knowledge and ideas
Read 'The History of Art' by E.H. Gombrich
Understand the major movements and artists in art history.
Show steps
  • Read the book
Collect images of different art styles and techniques
Build a reference library to enhance your visual understanding and appreciation of art.
Browse courses on Art
Show steps
  • Search for images online or in books
  • Organize images by style or technique

Career center

Learners who complete Art History Renaissance to 20th Century will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Art historian
Art Historians research, analyze, and interpret works of art. This requires a deep understanding of art history, as well as strong research and writing skills. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course provides a comprehensive overview of art history, and can help students develop the skills needed to succeed in this field.
Art Curator
Art Curators research, acquire, and display works of art in museums and galleries. This requires a deep understanding of art history, as well as strong research and writing skills. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course provides a comprehensive overview of art history, and can help students develop the skills needed to succeed in this field.
Art teacher
Art Teachers teach art to students in schools and other educational settings. This requires a strong foundation in art history and art education methods. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and museum practices.
Art dealer
Art Dealers buy and sell works of art. This requires a deep understanding of art history, as well as strong business and marketing skills. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history.
Art conservator
Art Conservators restore and preserve works of art. This requires knowledge of art history, chemistry, and conservation techniques. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course provides a strong foundation in art history, and can help students develop an understanding of the materials and techniques used to create artworks.
Museum Educator
Museum Educators develop and deliver educational programs for museum visitors. This requires a strong foundation in art history and museum education methods. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and museum practices.
Art gallery director
Art Gallery Directors oversee the operation of art galleries. This includes managing staff, planning exhibitions, and fundraising. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and museum practices.
Art Librarian
Art Librarians manage and catalog art-related materials in libraries and archives. This requires a strong foundation in art history and library science. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history.
Art Museum Registrar
Art Museum Registrars help oversee museum collections of artwork. Responsibilities can include managing artwork loans, tracking inventory, and preparing artworks for storage and display. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and museum practices.
Art Critic
Art Critics write and publish reviews of art exhibitions and works of art. This requires a deep understanding of art history and strong writing skills. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and developing writing skills.
Appraiser
Appraisers determine the value of works of art. This requires a deep understanding of art history and appraisal methods. The \"Art History: Renaissance to 20th Century\" course can help build a foundation for this role by providing a comprehensive overview of art history and appraisal methods.
Industrial Designer
Industrial Designers may be interested in the course's coverage of art and design from the Renaissance to the 20th Century, which can provide contextual knowledge for their work.
Interior designer
Interior Designers may be interested in the course's coverage of art and design from the Renaissance to the 20th Century, which can provide contextual knowledge for their work.
Architect
Architects may be interested in the course's coverage of art and architecture from the Renaissance to the 20th Century, which can provide contextual knowledge for their work.
Photographer
Photographers may specialize in photographing artwork and exhibitions, which can require a deep understanding of art history as well as photography.

Featured in The Course Notes

This course is mentioned in our blog, The Course Notes. Read two articles that feature Art History Renaissance to 20th Century:

Reading list

We've selected 13 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Art History Renaissance to 20th Century.
This widely used textbook provides a comprehensive overview of art history from prehistory to the present day. It is an excellent resource for students who want to learn more about the major periods, artists, and works of art covered in the course.
This multi-volume series provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of art history. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the major periods, artists, and works of art.
This online encyclopedia provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of art history. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the major periods, artists, and works of art.
This classic text provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the art of the Renaissance. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the major artists, works of art, and themes of the period.
This beautifully illustrated book provides a comprehensive overview of art history from prehistory to the present day. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the major periods, artists, and works of art covered in the course.
This classic text provides a cultural and historical overview of the Neoclassical period. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the social, political, and economic context of the period.
This classic text provides a cultural and historical overview of the Romantic period. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the social, political, and economic context of the period.
This classic text provides a cultural and historical overview of the Modernist period. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the social, political, and economic context of the period.
This classic text provides a cultural and historical overview of the Renaissance. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the social, political, and economic context of the period.
This classic text provides a cultural and historical overview of the Baroque period. It great resource for students who want to learn more about the social, political, and economic context of the period.
This classic text provides a philosophical and critical perspective on art history. It great resource for students who want to think more deeply about the nature of art and its role in society.
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This massive volume contains over 5,000 images of works of art from all over the world. It great resource for students who want to browse and explore different types of art.
This engaging and accessible book provides a concise overview of art history. It great resource for students who want to get a quick and easy introduction to the major periods, artists, and works of art.

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