The Art History program at The American University of Rome offers its students exceptional opportunities to study the artistic and cultural legacy of Rome and Italy and to relate the artistic works of previous epochs to the contemporary, global art world. Rome’s rich history and extensive tradition of groundbreaking art and artists spans classical antiquity through the modern age. Consequently, this city is the ideal destination for students interested in studying art and art history.

Place

From the Roman Forum to the Sistine Chapel to the MAXXI Museum of Contemporary Art, Rome houses countless art treasures that all have an important place in the history of art. Students who pursue this major go beyond textbooks to come face to face with these masterpieces in galleries and museums – many of which are just a stone’s throw from the university – as part of our regular on-site classes. 

Program

The program in Art History combines the comparative method and critical approach typical of American curricula with an intense immersion in one of the greatest art centres in the world: the city of Rome. Coursework at all levels emphasises on-site observation and analysis and the use of Rome’s unique resources for individual study and research.

Career

Upon completion of the degree, students will find their connoisseurship, critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding to be highly transferable, enabling them to continue to careers in which they can make valuable contributions to the analysis, research and preservation of material heritage from across the ages.

The Art History Program organises day trips and weekend excursions in connection with its courses."We explore the greatest theatre of antiquity, the Colosseum; the center of ancient market life, the Market of Trajan; as well as the most incredible of the temples dating from 2000 years ago, the Pantheon. We visit the earliest churches built in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine and the first basilica dedicated by a pope to the Virgin Mary. We look at the masterpieces of Renaissance artists Raphael and Michelangelo in the Vatican Museum and in the Roman palaces and piazze, and we study the most dramatic paintings by the great genius of Caravaggio" Professor Claudia La Malfa.

The visual arts and culture industries have become an increasingly significant part of the international economy, and our art history graduates leave AUR with the skills to take advantage of the myriad opportunities within this growing sector.

Careers that are directly linked to this degree include museums and galleries, auction houses, education, marketing and advertising, and anything connected with visual media. Our degree also prepares students to manage their own galleries, to work as industry-specialist lawyers and PR agents, and for positions in charities, fashion and publishing.

AUR's Art History faculty are steeped in the history and culture of Rome & Italy. All are enviable scholars and practitioners who continue to lead in their respective fields of expertise.