To say “art history” in Italian, you say “Storia dell’arte”
Italy has one of the richest histories in terms of art and culture in the entire world, which is why it is often seen as the holy land for Art History students.
Hannah Robertson is a First-Class Art History graduate from the University of Sussex who visited Rome in Italy as a part of her course. We asked her why Italy was such an important destination for her, “I would say that it was really important to be submerged into the art and your surroundings to get a real idea of the importance and impact of the art – like seeing the Sistine chapel or Trevi fountain, you can only get to grips with its beauty when you are there looking at it, and even to non-art historians you can feel its impact and beauty! Rome itself was just a fascinating city, every corner you turned you would be met with a fascinating church, and it really took you back in time!”
Italy is the country with the most UNESCO world heritage sites in the world: the whole country is an open-air museum! This makes the boot-shaped peninsula a living classroom for international students.
There is an overwhelming amount of study abroad programmes, as it is such a popular location, and each location will give you a deep insight into a specific part of Italian Art History.
For instance, if you find yourself in Rome, you could head to Vatican City to catch a glimpse of Raphael’s famous fresco, School of Athens. Or maybe you’re curious to see Botticelli’s Birth of Venus in her glory at the Uffizi in Florence. Of course, you don’t want to miss seeing some of Michelangelo’s grandiose works like The Last Supper in Milan or the massive works in the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City.
For art aficionados, Italy is a paradise with an invaluable heritage of works and places: in Italy you will experience the greatest achievements in art, architecture and sculpture from the Classical World, to the Renaissance, the Baroque and contemporary art.
If you directly enrol through a University, it can cost you on average around $3,500 USD, which is a very reasonable price.
Italy also tends to offer a great deal of summer courses, which are more intense but for a shorter length of time.
The low price and the flexibility of the courses means that studying Art History in Italy is easily accessible for everyone.
