AP Art History Students Dive Into the World of Art at the Met

A group of Advanced Placement Art History students from Bronxville High School brought their studies to life with a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art on Dec. 3. Under the leadership of their art teachers Courtney Alan and Marijke Briggs, the students explored two exhibits, “Siena: The Rise of Painting, 1300-1350” and “Flight into Egypt: Black Artists and Ancient Egypt, 1876-Now.” 

Having studied late Gothic painting in Italy, the students viewed the work of Proto-Renaissance artists, such as Duccio, Lorenzetti and Martini, to deepen their understanding of the time period and how the influence of Sienese artists helped define Western painting. The “Siena” exhibit was a rare occasion to see these works outside of Europe that set the stage for later Renaissance works.

The “Flight into Egypt” exhibit explored the influence of Ancient Egypt on modern art and culture. The students then explored their own areas of interest around the museum and completed a scavenger hunt to discover connections between their curriculum and the art on display. Throughout their lessons, the students will be researching themes of their choosing to connect works across multiple cultures.

“For the art department, field trips are an integral part of the curriculum that allow students to connect directly with the artwork and understand the current time that we live in,” Alan said. “Seeing art in person allows for students to observe details that cannot be seen in a book or on a computer and helps push their artwork or studies further.”

In addition to the Metropolitan Museum of Art field trip, Alan and Briggs have provided enriching opportunities for their other art students. They recently guided their students to the Whitney Museum of American Art and the American Folk Art Museum, offering them diverse encounters with art.