Pratt’s an exceptional place to study art and design history. From our landmarked campus you’ll have access to NYC’s premier international private collections, libraries, museums, studios, and galleries, as well as leading artists, designers, historians, and theorists.
History of Art and Design at Pratt
Join us in New York City, the art capital of the United States, for an immersive education in the history of art and design. Specialized foundational, art and design history, and liberal arts courses prepare you to conduct research, critically analyze and describe works of art, and place them in their social context. Studios and electives in your chosen concentration provide an in-depth program of study and experiential learning opportunities to practice traditional and new visual arts techniques.
The Experience
Taking specially designed foundation and survey courses, students in the BFA program will engage with a range of liberal arts disciplines including philosophy, literature, and criticism of the history of art and design, as well as studio courses. You’ll collaborate closely with your team, faculty, and community partners to learn the skills needed to create strategies and systems that meet real-world challenges.
Electives and Seminars
You’ll have the opportunity to take electives in film and design, architecture, non-Western, pre-Renaissance, Renaissance to Rococo, and 19th-, 20th-, or 21st-century art, theory and methodology, and chemistry of art. Major-specific seminars are available from your first through senior years, on topics that include the role of New York as a cultural capital, critical and theoretical models, and art and social justice.
Study Abroad
Immersing yourself in another culture is an incredible experience that can extend the boundaries of creativity. Study abroad programs are an integral part of the college experience, and Pratt has deep connections with university partners around the world. Study in Paris with the Pratt in Paris summer program. We also recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of Pratt in Venice, which is a 6-week program that occurs each June and July. For more information on Study Abroad, visit Pratt’s Study Abroad page.
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
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.
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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Fresco is a technique where pigments are applied to wet plaster, allowing the paint to bond as the plaster dries. The word "fresco" comes from the Italian "fresh," referring to the wet surface.
Used since ancient times, frescoes are iconic in churches and palaces, with Michelangelo's "Sistine Chapel" being a prime example.
Frescoes are durable and become part of the architecture, blending art with the building itself.
#Fresco #ArtTechnique #SistineChapel #Michelangelo #MuralArt #HistoricalArt #RenaissanceArt #ArtHistory #ArchitecturalArt #Painting #ArtLovers
2 days ago
Artist of the Day: Max Kahn (1902 – 2005)
Today, we're honoring the life and work of Max Kahn, a trailblazing American printmaker, painter, and lithographer born on 1902. Known for his masterful use of color and texture, Kahn's contributions to the art world spanned several decades, leaving a lasting impact on printmaking and lithography.
Early Life & Education: Max Kahn was born in Podolia, now part of Ukraine, and emigrated to the United States at a young age. He studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, where he later became a revered teacher.
Artistic Style & Legacy: Kahn's works are characterized by their bold use of color and abstract forms. He was particularly known for his innovative approaches to lithography, often blending traditional techniques with experimental methods. His dedication to the craft helped elevate printmaking as a respected art form.
Teaching & Influence: Kahn's impact extended beyond his artwork. He was a beloved instructor at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where he inspired generations of artists. His teaching emphasized the importance of technical skill, creativity, and artistic integrity.
Notable Achievements:
Kahn was a key figure in the Chicago art scene, contributing significantly to its development.
His works have been exhibited in major museums and galleries, reflecting his stature in the art community.
Kahn was a recipient of several prestigious awards, recognizing his contributions to the field of printmaking.
#MaxKahn #ArtistOfTheDay #Printmaking #ArtHistory #DesignInspiration #Lithography #ArtInstituteOfChicago #ChicagoArtScene #AbstractArt
4 days ago
You are invited to an HAD Faculty Conversations by Mary D. Edwards , "Demigods, Dragons, and Griffons in some 14th-century Italian Frescoes by Altichiero."
* This event is for Pratt community.
Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Venue: Zoom
About the Speaker: Mary D. Edwards has taught at Pratt since 1985. She was trained at Columbia University in Twentieth Century art, late medieval Italian art, and Non-Western art. Her courses include Native American Art and Pictorial Narrative. Her research focuses on iconography, the gesamtkunstwerk and text-and-image issues. She has published on Nicola Pisano; Duccio, Giotto, Simone Martini; Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Altichiero, Picasso and Norval Morrisseau in the SAH Journal; Studies in Iconography; Source; Zeitschrift für Kunstgeschichte, and elsewhere. She co-edited Gravity in Art … (2012) with Elizabeth Bailey and solo-edited Doppelgangers, Alter Egos and Mirror Images in Art … (2020)
About the Project: In my presentation I will discuss the impact of Greco-Roman art on the Italian artist, Altichiero, who painted frescoes in the late 14th century in Padua. Though Altichiero was painting the lives of Christian Saints, he included in his Paduan murals images of a griffon, Mithras and the Bull, Perseus and the Dragon, and Hercules, imbuing most of them with Christian meaning. I will support my interpretations of the artist’s classical images with texts by biblical, Roman, early Christian, and medieval writers, such as Justin Martyr, Ovid and Dante. The presentation will be illustrated with color slides.
1 week ago
Happy World Art Day!
Today, we celebrate the power of art—a universal language that transcends time, culture, and geography. From the earliest cave paintings to the cutting-edge designs of today, art has always been a vital part of the human experience, expressing our deepest emotions, stories, and dreams.
Art connects us across generations, continents, and mediums. Whether it's a masterpiece in a museum, a mural in your neighborhood, or a digital design on your screen, art brings beauty, challenges perspectives, and sparks conversations.
Fun Fact: World Art Day is celebrated on April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci, one of history’s greatest artists and inventors. His genius continues to inspire us to explore the endless possibilities of creativity.
#WorldArtDay #ArtHistory #CelebrateArt #CreativeExpression #ArtForAll #ArtLovers
1 week ago
Professor Maria Vinogradova and her Art Since the Sixties class visited the Whitney Museum of American Art to see the Shifting Landscapes Exhibition.
1 week ago
"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls."
— Pablo Picasso
Art has a unique way of transforming our perspective. It’s more than just an expression of creativity—it’s a means of escape and a way to reconnect with our deeper selves. As Picasso beautifully put it, 'The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls.' In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we often forget to pause and reflect. Art offers us that moment of clarity, allowing us to lose ourselves in beauty, and in doing so, find ourselves again. Whether it’s through painting, sculpture, or any form of creative expression, art has the power to refresh our spirits and reignite our passions. So, take a moment today to let art speak to you, cleanse your mind, and inspire your soul.
#ArtInspiration #CreativeExpression #Picasso #ArtQuotes #SoulfulArt #FindingYourself
2 weeks ago
You’re invited to the Surrealism Tomorrow exhibition, which will be held at the Student Union on Wednesday, April 16, at 3:00 PM. We hope you can join us there to celebrate the creativity and astute psychological insight of our students.
The submissions range from traditional techniques such as oil painting, sculpture, and photography to more innovative approaches like digitized claymation, video game design, and mixed-media installations. The use of materials is equally varied and creative, including textiles, metal, wood, and ceramics, offering a dynamic mix of visual, tactile, and conceptual experiences.
During the opening, a panel of We look forward to seeing you at the openingexperts from leading institutions will review submissions, providing recognition, conservations, and valuable feedback:
Stephanie Weber, Lenbachhaus Munich
Ana Janevski, The Museum of Modern Art
Danielle Drori, Manhattan Institute for Psychoanalysis
Emir Kapetanović, Los Angeles-based filmmaker
Cacho Falcon, New York City-based visual artist
The opening of the exhibition is preceded by two sessions of Surrealist Games that will take place on April 15th, in the Alumni Reading Room. This event is open to students, faculty and staff.
This event is sponsored by the History of Art and Design Department, Social Sciences and Cultural Studies Departments, Psychology at Pratt, and School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Refreshments will be provided.
2 weeks ago
Weekly Design History: The Helvetica Typeface
This week, we celebrate the Helvetica Typeface, one of the most influential and widely used typefaces in modern graphic design. Designed in 1957 by Max Miedinger and Eduard Hoffmann, Helvetica epitomizes the Swiss Style, known for its clean, neutral, and highly legible design.
Helvetica quickly became the go-to typeface for corporate branding, signage, and transportation systems around the world due to its versatility and modern aesthetic. Its simplicity and clarity make it timeless, continuing to be a favorite among designers.
Fun Fact: Helvetica was originally called Neue Haas Grotesk but was renamed to reflect its Swiss origins, as "Helvetica" is the Latin name for Switzerland.
#Helvetica #Typography #SwissDesign #DesignHistory #WeeklyDesignSpotlight
2 weeks ago
You are invited to “Climate Change and the New Polar Aesthetics: Artists Reimagine the Arctic and Antarctic.“
If you are interested in attending, Please RSVP.
* This event is open for public.
Date: Monday, April 21st, 2025
Time: 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Venue: Alumni Reading Room
A Talk by Lisa Bloom
In Climate Change and the New Polar Aesthetics, Lisa E. Bloom considers the ways artists, filmmakers, and activists engaged with the Arctic and Antarctic to represent our current environmental crises and reconstruct public understandings of them. Bloom examines feminist, Black, Indigenous, and non-Western perspectives to address the exigencies of the experience of the Anthropocene and its attendant ecosystem failures. Bloom’s examination and contextualization of new polar aesthetics makes environmental degradation more legible while demonstrating that our own political agency is central to imagining and constructing a better world.
Lisa E. Bloom is the author of many femi- nist books and articles in art history, visual culture, and cultural studies including Gender on Ice: American Ideologies of Polar Expeditions (University of Minnesota Press), With Other Eyes: Looking at Race and Gender in Visual Culture (University of Minnesota Press) and Jewish Identities in U.S. Feminist Art: Ghosts of Ethnicity (Routledge). She has taught and had been a researcher at numerous universities and art schools over the years including the University of California, Berkeley, (2018-2024) where she was recently a scholar-in-residence at the Beatrice Bain Center in the Department of Gender and Women’s Studies.
2 weeks ago
