Art History

‘In These Times: The Intricate Riddle of Life’

The first three episodes of the OMNIA podcast’s fourth season discuss the link between making art and making meaning, and how creativity shines a light on the way out of adversity in tough times, past and present.

Keepers of the cultural memory

In wartime, saving human lives is a top priority. But secondary considerations often include preserving the cultural heritage also under siege. Penn experts offer their thoughts as the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold.

Michele W. Berger

The philosophy of visual studies

Founded 20 years ago, the interdisciplinary major of visual studies creates a bridge for students to combine interests, including philosophy, art history, architecture, fine arts, and psychology.

Louisa Shepard



Media Contact


In the News


Artnet News

Do these ancient seals unlock clues to the origins of writing?

Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and Penn Museum helped contribute to a study arguing that ancient Sumerian seals used to brand products shaped the formation of cuneiform, humanity’s earliest known example of writing.

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The Washington Post

Doug Emhoff is all over the campaign trail. Melania Trump is not

Gwendolyn DuBois Shaw of the School of Arts & Sciences says that whatever candidates’ spouses choose to do during a campaign has the potential to influence voters.

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NBC Philadelphia

Philadelphia’s Ben Franklin Parkway and how it was inspired by Paris’ Champs-Élysées

David Brownlee of the School of Arts & Sciences says the goal of the City Beautiful movement was to create a new American aesthetic, from industrial landscape to urban paradise.

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BBC

Gordion: A lost city of legends in central Turkey

Brian Rose of the School of Arts & Sciences and Penn Museum has led excavations at the ancient Turkish city of Gordion since 2007.

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Philadelphia Inquirer

The Paris-to-Philadelphia story of a rebel artist, a visionary dentist, and a treasure lost and found

Lynn Marsden-Atlass of the Arthur Ross Gallery discusses the rediscovery of a lost Gustave Courbet painting in the basement of the School of Dental Medicine. It is now the centerpiece of a new exhibition.

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Esquire

Raise a toast in honor of the world’s oldest known beerhall!

A team of researchers from Penn and the University of Pisa, led by Holly Pittman of the School of Arts & Sciences and the Penn Museum, have excavated a site in Iraq that could contain the oldest tavern ever discovered.

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