How Do Religions Use Art?: Crash Course Art History #8
From the Egyptian Book of the Dead to Tibetan Buddhist sand mandalas, humans have always reached for art to express religious ideas and impulses. In this episode, we’ll explore how concepts of the divine and spirituality intersect with the history of art.
Introduction: James Hampton 00:00
The Book of the Dead 01:07
Art & Spiritual Feelings 02:57
Sacred Spaces 05:38
Art as Prayer & Ritual 07:40
Review & Credits 09:49
Image Descriptions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ETiCxe4GrVzFii7dBhF42oHx1EUCCh5y12wbtUjsH8A/edit
Sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GW2NKzhpMNMmRyAFJVhFJG9cSfUOMRL-QrcWuHcWcIA/edit?usp=sharing
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As a Muslim I appreciate the time you spent exploring our Islamic art. 🙂
Though I have to say that most of the time we don’t shy away from depicting humans or animals. We do restrict images depicted of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), but for a different reason. That would be to stay away from Idol worship, which the people of Mecca (Quraysh) used to take advantage of the Kaaba for their own greedy purposes. Bring your holy idol and worship it here at this most holy site, and also hey let’s make some sweet trade deals while you’re here.
Ancient hindu, shinto, Chinese, and buddhist arts are by far the best
James Hampton’s work is absolutely beautiful. I’m stunned that I wasn’t taught about it in my classes…though I suspect I know the reason why. 🙁
HOLY S*** THE YETI IS DOING CRASH COURSE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
I got to intern at SAAM last year, and getting to see some of the restoration work on the Throne of the Third Heaven up close was a really incredible experience! They’ve got a significant portion of it on display now, but their upcoming reinstallation of the 1st floor galleries is going to include a specially designed area that will be able to fit in even more of it. Something to watch out for in the next few years for anyone planning a trip to DC!
I’m a religious studies major. I have not delved into art a lot but I have become fascinated with art history lately. Thank you for this series!
Religion is cultural and moral transmission. Therefore there is no functional difference between art and religion.
Awesome 🎉🎉
Add this to the playlist
I appreciate that religion is shown from all over the world, but not mentioning the art about Jesus, when 90% of all art I see in museums depicts Bible scenes??? Speaking as an atheist who doesn’t care about religion, but is interested in religious art.
I missed her art videos I didn’t know she was here 😭
Excellent topic and lesson!
Informative as always.
Iran’s buildings and civilization are really beautiful, but unfortunately, Iran has not been introduced as much as it should be
Thank you and thanks to the production team.
Thank you for covering Jewish art. This is a very underrepresented area of art history.
I really appreciated all the ephemeral art practices too. And the changing art of a Zen garden. Love those moments that don’t last.🎉
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Thank you for this great series!
❤from India
The Renaissance Era allowed for more secular expression.
Love how the course is very inclusive ❤. Giving importance to all the religions and culture around the world. 🌍. Kudos to the team and presenter🫡🫡🫡
Wow, as an architect I’ve long paid attention to how light has guided the design of religious buildings, but hadn’t yet noted how much it also guided religious objects/art. That’s eye opening and a whole new avenue to explore, thank you! Also, "Religious art doesn’t always answer these questions, but it can make space to contemplate them," is such a powerful phrase that’s going to stick with me too. Wonderful episode.
tbh the only good thing about catholicism is the gothic art and architecture
I learned about both art and religion here! I didn’t know that Islamic art does not depict living beings due to their beliefs.
These examples are beautiful, thank you!
"We can’t touch or hold light, but we know its there" love that quote
I’m so excited to watch this whole series!
Crash Course is awesome! Love all the free educational content! Keep up the great work.
0:00 The Smithsonian American Art Museum (where the artwork is) youtube channel has a video just on James Hampton’s Throne. It’s unfortunate that it only gained recognition after his death (he secretly created it in a rented garage), so many questions about it remain unanswered.
mami wata looks strikingly like the "snake goddess" of the Minoans. I think it was found at Knossos
incrediiible video. Thank you!
It was interesting to hear about the kolam here. Unexpected. Its actually common across all of South India and on on festivals, across all of india. They are called differently, muggu, rangoli, etc.
Sarah I have learned sooooo much from you. You have reignited my passion for art. Thank you for your work!
Theological librarian here, Catholic version. I appreciate the respectful and remarkably accurate definitions.
Also, "blingy." 😄
4:54 I learned about triptychs in Hogwarts Legacy. 😂 See? Video games are educational.
I would have loved a more "classic" approach with more actual theory in this course but I enjoy it nevertheless, keep it up!
As a Muslim, this video is amazing. Thank you.
Love this series and this channel! I have always had difficulty understanding or connecting with physical art, but this series is changing that!
Would Crash Course ever create a religious studies series?
I love this series!
really inspiring…
Art and Music are essential to many religious services. I used to think it was odd that practitioners of one faith would split churches over hymns and music, but I think I understand (now that I’m older) why people care so much about art and music in religious settings. It represents culture, history, and connection to the faithful past.
I love Islamic architecture, it’s magnificent
03:38 For more on the Lindau Gospels, see Christopher de Hamel, “The Manuscripts Club.”
Thanks for including non-Christian religions in this episode. Too many times I have seen the "religious = Christian" theme with just a token representation of Jewish and/or Muslim examples.
This is one of my favorite classes from crashcourse, keep up the good work!
6:47 It should be made clear that despite the majority of Sunni Muslims today forbidding the practice of drawing images and the like, other sects (like the Shia who are a majority of Iranian Muslims) find it permissible, and even throughout Islamic history, there were periods where drawing of images and pictures of individuals (even including the Prophet) was permissible and practiced.
My favorite piece of religious art is Salvation Mountain by Leonard Knight. I find it really meaningful and beautiful.
I believe religious art are all acquired from the beauty of nature for expressing grateful of existence. All rules & stricts are weightless 🌼
Religions are living organisms, which must reproduce into new generations of substrate (human consciousness), or they wither and die. Every aspect of every religion succeeds or fails based on how well it feeds reproductive strategies. Any spiritual component, true or otherwise, is incidental beyond this.
Very nice introduction to the topic!