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Art History

Why Study Art History?

 

Our Program

Prof. Zorach with grads at Newberry Library

In Art History, we study the art and architecture of cultures around the world and across millennia. We take a variety of approaches to our objects, but focus on understanding their aesthetic and historical significance as well as their social relevance.  

 

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Warnock Lecture Series

 

Northwestern University Department of Art History presents the Warnock Lecture Series in 2025-26:

October 29, 2025: Adriana Zavala (Tufts University)

 

Winter and Spring speakers to be announced!

Faculty Spotlight

Faculty Spotlight

Our newest faculty member, Bihter Esener, is featured on the Faculty Spotlight page.

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Warnock Gift

The Liz Warnock Gift to Art History provides generous funds to support an array of programming in the department.
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News & Events

 

Department News

 

Professor Bihter Esener 

Congratulations to Professor Bihter Esener on being selected for the 2025 –26 Searle Fellows program by the Northwestern Office of the Provost and the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching.

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Congratulations to Professor Jesús Escobar on being appointed as Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor in the Humanities.

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Congratulations to Professor Thadeus Dowad on being appointed the Crown Junior Chair in Middle East Studies.

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Congratulations to Professor Krista Thompson, one of the 2024 recipients of the Guggenheim Fellowship. 

Rebecca Zorach

Congratulations to Professor Rebecca Zorach on being awarded the Ver Steeg Fellowship.

Events

 

All Events

News

 
Professor Emeritus Rob Linrothe gave a talk in Leh, Ladakh, titled, "Early Matters: Toward a History of Buddhist Art in Zangskar."
Congratulations to Professor Bihter Esener on being selected for the 2025 –26 Searle Fellows program by the Northwestern Office of the Provost and the Searle Center for Advancing Learning and Teaching.
Professor Emeritus Rob Linrothe will deliver a guest lecture at the University of Leipzig titled, "Atisha's Acala & Three Types of Elephant-Headed Deities in Ladakh and Zangskar."
Read About Professor Emeritus Rob Linrothe's recent fieldwork in India and Nepal!
Congratulations to Professor Bihter Esener on being the keynote speaker for the 2025 EIU Premodern Global Studies Minor Celebration Day, which is themed "Technology, AI, and the Premodern World.”

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