HART229 - 01 - History of Jewelry

This survey class considers the artistic, social, and philosophical role jewelry has played in world cultures during the Modern era. With an emphasis on the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston's collection of jewelry-presented through a combination of illustrated lectures, close looking opportunities, and discussion-the course examines the historical context and function of jewelry. Examining ornament through an art historical lens, emphasis will be given to jewelry's relationship to all of the artistic fields with which bodily adornment overlaps,including fashion, religious ritual, theater (personal and public), etc. The importance of tastemakers and media celebrities will be evaluated for their key role in the popularization and dissemination of styles. Reading and class discussion offers an ongoing dialogue on the ways in which contemporary jewelry is connected to historical designs, and visits to the MFA allow opportunities for close-looking.