Here you can carry out art historical and design research; apply the theories and practice of information science; design and curate digital libraries, archives, and exhibitions; and communicate arts content and design effectively across diverse cultures and societies.
Pratt students at the Morgan Library Reading Room (courtesy Morgan Library & Museum)
History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science at Pratt
The MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design dual-degree program prepares you for careers in art and design, museum, and academic libraries. In this program, you will become an expert on the intersection of art and design and information, going deep into art, design, and historical archives, art and design collections, and more. With fellowship opportunities at NYC’s leading museums, libraries, and archives, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick Art Reference Library, and MoMA, the dual-degree program offers unique experiential learning opportunities.
Students in the dual-degree MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design program get to experience all Pratt has to offer by taking half of their program (30 credits) at the School of Information based in Manhattan, and the other half in the Department of History of Art and Design on the Brooklyn campus (30 credits). The first two years students take courses in both departments, with much of the thesis work taking place in the third year. With class sizes of just 8–12, you’ll collaborate closely with your cohort and faculty and be learning at the nexus of NYC arts and culture communities.
Internships
Internships at museums, libraries, nonprofit art organizations, and galleries provide professional opportunities in your area of interest and prepare you for future careers. Recent students have interned at prestigious institutions such as the New York Public Library, Franklin Furnace, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.
Study Abroad
We are pleased to offer study abroad options for dual-degree students, including a new course offered for the first time during spring break 2024: “Artist Archives: Rome/New York”. We also recently celebrated the 38th anniversary of Pratt in Venice, which is a 6-week program that occurs each June and July. For more information on Study Abroad, see where you can go.
Learning Resources
We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learning resources.
Our Faculty
Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to develop each student’s potential and creativity to the fullest. Bringing different views, methods, and perspectives, they provide a rigorous educational model in which students make and learn. See all History of Art and Design faculty and administrators and School of Information faculty and administrators.
Our Alumni
Pratt’s distinguished alumni are leading diverse and thriving careers, addressing critical challenges and creating innovative work that reimagines our world.
Where They Work
Librarian, Photographs and Prints Division, New York Public Library
Archivist, Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library
IT Project Manager, J. Paul Getty Trust
Head, Reference & Reader Services, Teachers College, Columbia University
Web Collection Librarian, Columbia University Libraries
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.
You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. Check us out.
Art of the week: Exploring Transnational Feminism Through Art History
Art transcends borders, languages, and time, and it's a powerful lens through which we can view the global struggle for gender equality. Join me on a journey through the rich tapestry of transnational feminism in art history, illuminated by incredible artworks.
1️⃣ Frida Kahlo's "The Two Fridas" (1939): This iconic painting speaks to the dualities faced by women, reflecting Kahlo's own personal and cultural struggles. Her art embodied her experiences as a Mexican woman, transcending geographical boundaries.
2️⃣ Shirin Neshat's "Women of Allah" series (1993-1997): Neshat's powerful photographs and videos explore the complexities of Iranian women's identities and their resistance against oppressive norms. Her work bridges the gap between Iran and the Western world.
3️⃣ Zanele Muholi's "Faces and Phases" (2006-present): Muholi's photography project documents the lives of Black lesbian and transgender individuals in South Africa.
Their work shines a light on the unique struggles faced by this community, fostering global empathy. Art history reminds us that feminism knows no borders. These artists, among many others, have harnessed the power of creativity to break down barriers, challenge norms, and inspire change.
#ArtoftheWeek #hadpratt #hadprattpostoftheweek #HistoryofArtandDesign #TransnationalFeminism #ArtHistory #GenderEquality #FemaleArtists #EmpowermentThroughArt #EqualityThroughCreativity #InspireChange #ArtActivism #Intersectionality #FeminismInArt
Image credits:
Frida Kahlo. https://www.fridakahlo.org/images/paintings/the-two-fridas.jpg
Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/shirin-neshat-rebellious-silence-women-of-allah-series/
The Image Centre. https://theimagecentre.ca/exhibition/zanele-muholi-faces-and-phases/
We are delighted to announce that professor Marsha Morton has published a new co-edited anthology, “Visual Culture and Pandemic Disease since 1750: Capturing Contagion”.
Visit the HAD website in the bio to read more about the publication.
Art of the week
It’s the Barbenheimer Week!
This week we are going to introduce the collaborations of Barbie and famous artists. Mattel has collaborated with famous artists and designers to create limited-edition Barbies with unique designs inspired by art movements and iconic figures. These collaborations bridge the gap between the world of toys and high art, showcasing Barbie as a canvas for artistic expression.
The limited edition Jean-Michel Basquiat x Barbie doll merges art and beauty to pay tribute to the legacy of the American artist. The doll features beautiful dark skin and dreadlocks in the shape of an "X", as well as a crown on her head that resembles Basquiat's signature seal from some of his pieces. Her costumes also pay homage to street art, reminiscent of some of the artist's works.
Courtesy: Mattel
#Barbie #Basquiat #ArtoftheWeek #hadpratt
Art of the week: Thangka
Thangkas are intricate and delicately hand-painted scrolls that originated in the Himalayan region, particularly in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. These exquisite artworks are typically made on cotton or silk canvas, reflecting the devotion and craftsmanship of the artists. Steeped in religious symbolism, Thangkas offer us glimpses into the spiritual world. They depict Buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, and mandalas with meticulous attention to detail. These divine portrayals serve as objects of meditation and veneration for practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism.
#artoftheweek #Thangka #hadpratt #TheWheelofExistence
Image reference
Title: The Wheel of Existence (Proper)
Medium: appliqué and embroidery on silk
Dimensions: 111 1/2 x 80 in. (283.2 x 203.2 cm)
Work type: thangka
Retreived from: https://www.artsbma.org/collection/the-wheel-of-existence/
Art of the week:
Georgia O’Keeffe
O'Keeffe (1887-1986) was famous for her flower paintings, but she also created impressive series of works in different mediums. Throughout her career, O'Keeffe transformed the same themes, creating motifs that were a blend of observation and abstraction. During a period of experimentation from 1915 to 1918, she produced many works on paper, including bold lines, organic landscapes, frank nudes, and abstract charcoals she called "specials". This was as many works as O'Keeffe produced in the next four decades.
O’Keeffe created the From the Lake in 1924. In this artwork, Georgia O'Keeffe creates abstract designs inspired by the landscapes of stormy Lake George country. Her compositions mark the continuation of her abstract vision in the 1920s, while also moving toward more representational views of the world around her.
#artoftheweek #GeorgiaOKeeffe #hadpratt
Image reference
From the Lake by Georgia O'Keeffe
Date: 1924
Style: Precisionism
Genre: abstract
Retreived from: https://www.wikiart.org/en/georgia-o-keeffe/from-the-lake/
Art of the week:
Bauhaus Design Movement
Bauhaus, founded in 1919 by Walter Gropius, aimed to unite fine arts, crafts, and technology. With a focus on simplicity, practicality, and geometric forms, Bauhaus design transformed the way we perceive architecture, interior design, and everyday objects. From sleek furniture to avant-garde buildings, the movement's impact is undeniable. 🖼️✍️
“Our guiding principle was that design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply and integral part of the stuff of life, necessary for everyone in a civilized society”, said Walter Groupius.
At the core of Bauhaus lies the belief that design should serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. Every form, every line, and every material used served a functional role, with no element deemed unnecessary. The movement's philosophy championed the idea of creating practical yet visually appealing objects that seamlessly integrated into daily life. 💎🔍
Bauhaus embraced the advancements of the industrial age, exploring the possibilities of new materials and manufacturing techniques. It celebrated the marriage of art and technology, allowing for innovative designs that were not limited by traditional constraints. The movement's interdisciplinary approach fostered collaborations and pushed the boundaries of creative expression. 🚀🎨
Even a century later, the Bauhaus movement continues to inspire countless artists, designers, and architects worldwide. Its clean lines, bold colors, and emphasis on functionality can be seen in modern furniture, architecture, graphic design, and more. Bauhaus remains a testament to the enduring power of design that transcends time. 🌈🔝
#artoftheweek #bauhaus #hadpratt #BauhausDesignMovement #HistoryofArtandDesign #ArtMeetsTechnology
Image: Club Chair (Model B3) | The Wassily Chair
Retrieved from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wassily_Chair#/media/File:Bauhaus_Chair_Breuer.png
Art of the week:
Vincent Van Gogh’s Wheat Field with Cypresses
Van Gogh became interested in incorporating cypresses into his work in June 1889, and decided to create a series of paintings featuring the majestic trees. He painted on-the-spot studies of the cypresses, including a close-up vertical view and a majestic horizontal composition illustrated in reed-pen drawings. The piece in question was one of Van Gogh's favourite summer landscapes, and he was inspired to create two studio renditions of it in September: one on the same scale, which is now in the National Gallery in London, and a smaller replica for his mother and sister, which is held in a private collection. Van Gogh's cypress paintings are known for their distinctive use of rich impasto.
The exhibition focusing on Van Gogh’s cypresses is now on view in the Met Museum thru August 27, 2023.
#artoftheweek #vangogh #hadpratt #Impressionism #VanGoghCypresses
Image reference
Title: Wheat Field with Cypresses
Artist: Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, Zundert 1853–1890 Auvers-sur-Oise)
Date: June 1889
Medium: Oil on canvas
Dimensions: 28 7/8 × 36 3/4 in. (73.2 × 93.4 cm)
Classification: Paintings
Credit Line: Purchase, The Annenberg Foundation Gift, 1993
Accession Number: 1993.132
Retrieved from: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436535
The Renaissance reached its peak (known as the High Renaissance) in the short period from about 1500–1530 in the work of Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raphael. The Renaissance style then underwent a myriad of successive transformations in Mannerism, Baroque, Rococo, neoclassicism, and the Romantic movement.
The work of Raphael may be seen as representing the purest form of the Renaissance style and he was held up as a prime model in the art academies until the mid-nineteenth century when artists turned their back on this classically governed approach. The revolt can be seen in movements such as the Pre-Raphaelites (who drew inspiration from medieval art), realism, naturalism and impressionism.
Image Reference
The Creation of Adam
Michelangelo
Original Title: Creazione di Adamo
Date: 1508 - 1512
Style: High Renaissance
Series: Sistine Chapel Paintings
Genre: mythological painting
Media: fresco
Location: Sistine Chapel, Vatican
Dimensions: 280 x 570 cm
Content Reference
Tate. (n.d.). Renaissance. Tate. https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/r/renaissance
It is almost the end of Spring Semester!
The HAD Department wishes you all the best of luck in your finals and congratulations to our graduating class of 2023! You are almost there!
#pratt #prattinstitute #historyofartsanddesign #hadpratt #classof2023 #graduation #springsemester #spring #finals
The MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design dual-degree program prepares students for careers in art, museum, and academic libraries. With fellowship opportunities taking place at NYC’s leading museums, libraries, and archives, such as the Brooklyn Museum, the Guggenheim Museum, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the dual-degree program offers unique opportunities for experiential learning.
This program consists of 30 credits at the School of Information and 30 credits at the Department of History of Art and Design for a total of 60 credits, which must be completed with a B average or higher. Students in the dual-degree program generally take one or two classes in each program per semester (3–4 courses, 9–12 credits).
Students in the dual-degree MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design satisfy the learning outcomes of each of the respective degrees.
MS Library and Information Science
Throughout the LIS program, students will create a digital portfolio to highlight the work they have completed and demonstrate they have met the program’s five student learning outcomes:
Foundations of Library and Information studies – Apply core concepts and theories to information collection, organization and access in multiple environments.
User-centered services – Students can meet information needs of diverse user communities across multiple communication formats (e.g. oral, written, visual, interactive).
Technology – Students can select and apply tools and technologies used in the field to improve information functions.
Research – Investigate information environments and users’ needs, behaviors, and experiences through appropriate research methods and analysis.
Ethical/Creative/Critical practice – Apply core ethical principles to professional practice and understand the broad impact of information on society. Students can raise critical questions about information, its production, dissemination, storage and preservation.
MA History of Art and Design
Graduates are able to articulate the mutually constitutive nature of historical changes in social, political and economic conditions in the fields of art, design, and cultural production.
Graduates are able to describe, research and analyze the forms of cultural artifacts and monuments.
Graduates demonstrate a critical engagement with the discipline’s tools and methods.
Graduates have the skills to craft lines of inquiry and perform in-depth research, including the use of relevant languages, that results in original analysis and interpretation.
