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All art is - or someday will become - a part of history. The shifting identity, purpose, and interpretation of art across time are vital aspects of any artist's experience. In this course we explore these aspects in detail by situating representative works from the ancient to early modern periods within the broader spectrum of history, and analyzing contextual circumstances that can influence the production and perception of art. While the larger context of this course is Western, we also consider examples outside this tradition that shed further light on the role of art in various societies and at certain moments in history. Throughout our study, practice of essential visual analysis and basic methodologies is emphasized to facilitate a critical engagement with art.