Art Historian's Approach

When thinking about art history through the ages, Art Historians consider the time period, or "era," in which the art was made. Since history is sequential, one considers what came before and after to extract meaning from an artwork. Some periods are defined by who was ruling, a significant event, or a migration. These facts lend resonance to the art's purpose, intent, and message.

Another approach Art Historians employ is considering the "cultural context". Did it come from South America, for example? What types of foods, language, and rituals unified the people who made it? How did they use the artwork to demonstrate their cultural bonds?