Art History.
what is it? and why is it important?
The AP Art History’s “250”
In my junior year of high school, it took the Advanced Placement art history class—because it seemed like fun. And not only was it fun, it remains to this day the best class I ever took. It sparked in me a fasciation and love for art history and all its pieces: form, style, period, color, class, and so much more.
and not to brag, but I did get a 5 on the exam.
Importantly, this class employs a unique curriculum. It revolves around a list of two-hundred fifty artworks, that span all of history and the world. there are units and periods to learn, but you know this list inside and out when the exam rolls around. As a student, each piece becomes instantly recognizable, and each has a unique relationship to the rest of the list, as well as a distinct impact on their own.
All of this is relevant because the summer I graduated, I was traveling in Colorado with my father—when we arrived he revealed we were going to visit Mesa Verde National Park. I lit up at that—because the Mesa Verde cliff dwellings are on the 250 list—and I was going to see them in person! And a few months later I found myself in France, and subsequently was able to see sixteen more 250’s in person over the span of a week.
thus, I found myself with a impressive little start of a collection. and ever since, I have pledged to myself to attempt to see every 250 in person.
this page is then dedicated to my travels, adventures, and logs of my journey through this list. enjoy!
where it began:
ways to view my collection :
by date seen
by sequential order
by unit
if you are interested in looking at the 250 in its entirety, I suggest Smart History’s web page about it.
It was the best resource I had as a student of the class, and still is whilst seeking these pieces out.
