Broaden your intellectual and personal horizons through the study of art, design, and curatorial practice within a global perspective. Through critical, theoretical, and historical analysis, we encourage respectful awareness of––and engagement with–– our pluralistic community and enlightened understanding of your own material, visual, and cultural environments and your place within them.
History of Art and Design at Pratt
Gain necessary skills and knowledge for a career as an art and design historian, a museum, gallery, or library professional, or to prepare for doctoral studies. By studying global art and design through multidisciplinary and cultural contexts and intensive specialized research, you’ll become an independent and critical thinker and writer, with an understanding of the historical role of art and design. Internships at museums, libraries, nonprofit art organizations, and galleries provide professional opportunities in your area of interest.
The Experience
Learning at the nexus of NYC arts and cultural communities, students in the History of Art and Design MA consider their discipline within larger social, cultural, and political contexts. With class sizes of just 8–12, you’ll collaborate closely with your cohort and faculty and work directly with museum collections and archives.
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 Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and more.
Study Abroad
Immersing yourself in another culture is an unparalleled experience that can extend the boundaries of your intellectual abilities and creativity. Study abroad programs are an integral part of the college and graduate experience, and Pratt has deep connections with university partners around the world. Study in Paris with the Pratt in Paris summer program or in Venice with Pratt in Venice, a 6-week program that recently celebrated its 35th anniversary.
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. Learn about resources.
Our Faculty
All full-time and part-time faculty are leading scholars and practitioners who are experts in their fields. They are deeply engaged in expanding their disciplines and building equity through their own work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors and bring their commitment, and their experience, into the classroom. See all History of Art and Design 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.
Success Stories
Ready for More?
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You are invited to “A Conversation with Heiny Srour.”
* This event is for Pratt community.v
Thursday, March 13th, 2025
5:45 – 7:00 pm
Myrtle Hall, 4th Floor, MH 4E-03 DDA
Open to the Pratt community
On the occasion of two new restorations screening at BAM, Lebanese director Heiny Srour will visit Pratt to discuss her work with faculty and students.
Born in 1945 in Beirut, Srour studied Social Anthropology in Paris, where she worked as a journalist and developed an interest in Third World Cinema. To make her first film, The Hour of Liberation Has Arrived (1974), Srour documented a revolutionary feminist uprising against the British-backed Sultanate of Oman. Her next feature, Leila and the Wolves (1984), combines fictional drama, archival footage, and fantasy sequences, and follows a young Lebanese woman in modern London as she time-travels through the 20th century, observing the place of Arab women in anti-colonial movements.
Organized by Olivia Crough (Visiting Assistant Professor, HAD) for the course History of Film, in collaboration with Graham Carter (Several Futures) – contact ocrough@pratt.edu with questions.
2 days ago
Celebrating the masterful Charles Le Brun, born February 24, 1619! Known as the 'Great Decorator,' Le Brun's visionary work defined the grandeur of the French Baroque era, leaving an indelible mark on the Palace of Versailles and beyond. His legacy continues to inspire. #ArtistOfTheMonth #charleslebrun #baroquemastery
7 days ago
Art History 101: Part 2 - Baroque to Romanticism
The Baroque Era
The Baroque period (1600-1750) introduced drama and emotion in art, with artists using bold contrasts and movement to engage viewers.
Example: Rembrandt van Rijn, The Night Watch, 1642, oil on canvas, 379.5 x 453.5 cm (Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam)
Chiaroscuro Technique
Caravaggio was a master of chiaroscuro, creating striking contrasts between light and dark that added depth to his compositions.
Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio, Calling of Saint Matthew, oil on canvas, c. 1599–1600 (Contarelli Chapel, San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome)
Neoclassicism Emerges
In reaction to Baroque excess, Neoclassicism revived classical ideals, focusing on simplicity and symmetry while drawing inspiration from ancient Rome and Greece.
Jacques-Louis David, Oath of the Horatii, 1784, oil on canvas, 3.3 x 4.25 m, painted in Rome, exhibited at the salon of 1785 (Musée du Louvre)
The Rise of Romanticism
Romanticism (late 18th century) celebrated emotion, nature, and individualism, often depicting dramatic landscapes and historical events.
Example: "The Wanderer above the Sea of Fog" by Caspar David Friedrich (1818)
1 week ago
You are invited to "A Vida Portuguesa: Portuguese Art and Design Symposium."
Date: Friday, March 7th
Time: 3:00 to 5:00 pm
Venue: Alumni Reading Room
About the Project: A Vida Portuguesa, the renowned Lisbon-based shop founded by Catarina Portas in 2007, is celebrated for its mission to preserve Portugal’s artisanal traditions while offering a modern perspective on design. In collaboration with the MoMA Design Store, A Vida Portuguesa opened a Pop-Up Shop that brings an exclusive assortment of the shop’s handcrafted designs to the United States. This series of talks at Pratt features Portuguese history and culture and reflects on its artistry and contemporary design.
A Vida Portuguesa: Why and How to Make a Shop by Catarina Portas and Nuno Coelho
Can a Country’s History be Told Through its Brands? Unpacking Portugal’s 20th- Century History through Packaging Design by Nuno Coelho
Touch by Jorge Colombo
PALAVRAS EMPRESTADAS, from under the orange tree by Analia Segal
*A visit to the MoMA Design Store Pop-Up Shop (January 8th—March 10th) is recommended for attendants to have the opportunity to experience designs from A Vida Portuguesa first hand.
Please RSVP using the link in bio.
2 weeks ago
Pentimento: The Ghosts of Art’s Past
Definition:
Pentimento (plural: pentimenti) refers to a visible trace or alteration in a painting, where an earlier version, design, or element has been painted over but becomes visible again as the top layer of paint ages and becomes more transparent over time. This phenomenon provides insights into the artist’s process and reveals changes made during the creation of the artwork.
Image 1: Jan Van Eyck, The Arnolfini Portrait, 1434, tempera and oil on oak panel, 82.2 x 60 cm (National Gallery, London)
Image 2: Arnolfini Wedding Portrait by Jan van Eyck (left), detail of infrared scans of Arnolfini Wedding Portrait (right); Courtesy: Principle Gallery
3 weeks ago
On this day celebrating love, the I ♥ NY logo reminds us how a few simple elements can create a deep sense of pride and belonging, proving that design can be both emotional and iconic.
Created in 1977 by graphic designer Milton Glaser, the 'I ♥ NY' logo is one of the most recognizable and enduring symbols in graphic design history. Originally commissioned as part of a campaign to boost tourism, it quickly became a global symbol of New York City’s bold spirit and resilience.
Key Highlights:
Simple and Iconic Design: The logo features the phrase "I ♥ NY" with a heart symbol, using bold typography that conveys warmth and emotional connection. The heart replaced the word "love," making it instantly recognizable.
Cultural Impact: Despite being created for a specific tourism campaign, the logo became synonymous with the city itself, adapting to various cultural contexts and becoming a symbol of New York’s identity.
Enduring Popularity: From T-shirts to tattoos, the "I ♥ NY" logo remains a timeless example of how effective and universal graphic design can be, transcending its original purpose to become a global icon.
#GraphicDesign #ILoveNY #MiltonGlaser #DesignHistory #IconicDesign #NYC #SimpleDesign #WeeklyDesignHistory
4 weeks ago
Umberto Boccioni’s 'The City Rises' (1910) is a powerful representation of the energy and chaos of urban life. As a key work of the Italian Futurist movement, this painting captures the spirit of modernity with dynamic forms and vibrant colors.
Details About the Artwork:
Subject: The painting depicts the construction of a new city, with laborers, machinery, and horses in a chaotic, energetic scene. It conveys the frenetic pace of urbanization and industrial progress.
Technique: Boccioni uses sweeping, fluid lines and bold colors to create a sense of motion and vitality. The composition is filled with overlapping forms, emphasizing the dynamism and power of human and mechanical effort.
Significance: Although less famous than other works, 'The City Rises' is a quintessential Futurist painting, celebrating the modern age and its transformative energy.
Inspirational Idea:
"‘The City Rises’ reminds us of the relentless energy and progress of urban life. It captures the essence of modernity, urging us to embrace change and the possibilities of the future."
Image: Umberto Boccioni, The City Rises, 1910, oil on canvas, 199 cm × 301 cm (MoMA)
#thecityrises #umbertoboccioni #artinspiration #futurism #modernlife #urbanenergy #momaart
4 weeks ago
Brutalism: The Raw Beauty of Concrete
Emerging in the mid-20th century, Brutalism made a bold statement with its raw, unpolished aesthetic. Known for its use of concrete and stark, geometric forms, this architectural style focuses on honesty in materials and structure.
Key Characteristics:
Raw Concrete (Béton Brut): Exposed concrete surfaces define Brutalism, showcasing the material in its natural, unadorned state.
Monolithic Forms: Massive, block-like structures that emphasize weight, solidity, and simplicity.
Function Over Ornamentation: Design that highlights utility and structure, rejecting decorative embellishments.
Brutalism reminds us that beauty can be found in raw, honest expression. It challenges us to appreciate the inherent qualities of materials and the integrity of structure.
#Brutalism #DesignInspiration #ConcreteJungle #ArchitecturalHonesty #Habitat67 #RawBeauty
1 month ago
HAD Faculty Conversations by Jennifer Miyuki Babcock, “A Work in Progress: Mapping the Wandering Goddess”
* This event is for Pratt community.
Date: Wednesday, February 26th, 2025
Time: 12:00 – 1:00 pm
Venue: Main 212
About the Project: Hathor, one of the world’s first imperial goddesses, absorbed numerous Egyptian, Nubian, and Levantine divinities into her multifaceted identity. The ancient Egyptians described her as “wandering” due to her many mythic journeys and manifestations. This digital project, born from my 2022 book, centers Hathor to foreground the divine feminine in Egypt and to explore the deeply intertwined nature of ancient Egyptian religion at both national and local levels. In this lecture, I will discuss the project’s origins, current status, and long-term goals.
About the Speaker: Jennifer Miyuki Babcock specializes in ancient Egyptian and Nubian art and archaeology. Her research explores cross-cultural parallels with other ancient and modern African cultures, examining how material and visual culture support the concept of divine kingship. She is also interested in artifacts and imagery that reflect personal piety, offering a compelling contrast to the royal and elite experience.
1 month ago
