Art from The Four Corners of the Early Modern World

Between the sixteenth and eighteenth centuries, encounters between Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa challenged traditional worldviews as people, objects, and ideas traveled between the “four corners of the world.” These encounters resulted in distinct works of art such Dutch cabinets made from African ebony and classical architectural facades featuring carvings of Chinese peonies in Macau. In this course, we will consider how artistic styles spread across the globe and how historical forces shaped constructions of race and ethnicity. Students will also be introduced to various methodological approaches to the discipline of art history.