Modern Art (Art History 3)
Barbara Reisinger
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Art History
2026W, Lecture (VO), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S51281
Gender/diversity/queer-specific
Description
This lecture covers art from the late 18th century to 1945. I discuss the implications of modernity and modernisms through the lens of conceptions of the body and its relations to global infrastructure. One focus lies on gender and sexuality, and how gendered bodies were intertwined with urban development, the "discovery" of the modern psyche, and medical innovations across the different strata of classed society. Another nexus connects racialized bodies and global economies: How are the institutions and exhibition forms of modern art entangled with colonial hierarchies and violence? How do the beginnings of art history as a western, academic field mirror primitivist, euro- and phallocentric concepts? These questions are discussed along close readings of art works, some well-known and canonical, some less prominent in classical art history. The aim is to provide grounds for both, understanding how canonical terms and canons of modernity were shaped, and for multifocal, alternative perspectives as well as critical readings.
Examination Modalities
Written exams will be held on three different dates (end of the term + two dates at the beginning summer term 2027).
Questions will be provided in both German and English, and can be answered in either language.
Comments
This semester the lecture is held in English.
Dates
Mon, 12 October 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 19 October 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 09 November 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 16 November 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 23 November 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 30 November 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 07 December 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 14 December 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 21 December 2026, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 11 January 2027, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 18 January 2027, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Mon, 25 January 2027, 15:30–17:00 Lecture Room 1
Course Enrolment
From 31 August 2026, 09:00
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: GO: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 067/003.11
Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 067/003.19
Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: GO: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 067/003.11
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: GO: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 074/003.11
Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 074/003.19
Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: GO: Kunstgeschichte (1-4), VO 074/003.11
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Cultural Transformation 162/040.40
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01
Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Art History 537/080.10
Stage Design (1. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kunstgeschichte 542/107.01
Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kunstgeschichte 542/207.01
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kunstgeschichte 566/108.12
Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kunstgeschichte 566/208.12
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (1. Section): Wissenschaftlich theoretische und historische Grundlagen: Kunstgeschichte 567/108.12
Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kunstgeschichte 567/208.12
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Art History 568/005.03
Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Art History 568/006.03
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 1: Artistic Strategies and Approaches to Art 569/020.10
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Art History 576/103.02
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Art History 577/103.02
Industrial Design (1. Section): Art and Cultural Studies - Basics: Art History 580/104.08
Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Art History 584/103.02
Design: Specialisation in Fashion Design (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Free Elective Pool Methodological and Theoretical Basics 584/103.80
Fine Arts (1. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art History 1-4 (VO) 605/102.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art History 1-4 605/202.03
Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (1. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Art and Design History 626/103.02
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Artistic Strategies and Approaches to Art: Foundation 700/001.10
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Artistic Strategies and Approaches to Art: Deepening and Application 700/001.20
Co-registration: possible
Attending individual courses: possible