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: docs.google.com/document/d/1E...
Sources: docs.google.com/document/d/1G...
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[@melonmelon2848]

Would like to see Sarah hosts more courses, History of Museums, perhaps? 😉 She's very good at this

[@MariaMartinez-researcher]

Theological librarian here, Catholic version. I appreciate the respectful and remarkably accurate definitions. Also, "blingy." 😄

[@plasticcoyote]

Thank you for re-introducing me to James Hampton, who I hadn't thought of since college. I adore his work!

[@KannikCat]

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.

[@isacami25]

Crash course Art History has got to be the most inspiring of all crash courses, and i'm saying that as someone who has watched plenty of them

[@dragonflies6793]

I can't wait for the next episode! My system connects really strongly with nature, and we probably draw elements of nature more than anything else (especially dragonflies, flowers, wind and rain).

[@TheTennesseeGeek]

Love how you opened with the Throne of James Hampton!

[@lindsey2987]

The Rothko Chapel is one of the most sacred places I’ve ever been, it’s absolutely stunning

[@C3YDi]

All I saw was black canvas though. I don't get it

[@TJtheBee]

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. :(

[@tamedthethreebears]

"We can't touch or hold light, but we know its there" love that quote

[@3countylaugh]

I really appreciated all the ephemeral art practices too. And the changing art of a Zen garden. Love those moments that don't last.🎉

[@pedrostormrage]

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.

[@Izzy-Maurer]

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!

[@OodoriSummer]

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!

[@samwill7259]

I could never pay attention in church when it was a random wooden building on the corner of town I could only imagine what the child version of me would have done if the entire building was a jaw dropping art piece

[@rodenderon]

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.

[@rodenderon]

Such an interesting series. Thank you so much!

[@BustlingGravy]

I'm so excited to watch this whole series!

[@stephaniehendricks3537]

This is one of my favorite classes from crashcourse, keep up the good work!

[@MythicTales993]

I look forward to your videos every week. Thanks for the great content!

[@chumito10]

I learned about both art and religion here! I didn't know that Islamic art does not depict living beings due to their beliefs.

[@vrpansy]

My favorite piece of religious art is Salvation Mountain by Leonard Knight. I find it really meaningful and beautiful.

[@isabbygabbyorcrabby]

Thank you for this great series!

[@Chen-vc5gh]

I love this series! really inspiring...

[@0akshadow]

What is the building shown in 5:49? I'm really curious, it's beautiful

[@arisu5585]

I'm not 100% sure But it reminds me of the Ranakpur temple in Rajasthan, india

[@Codingale]

Delwara Temple, located in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India

[@HannahsQuizzes]

Great video!

[@MrDietsam]

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.

[@jrimman]

Love how the course is very inclusive ❤. Giving importance to all the religions and culture around the world. 🌍. Kudos to the team and presenter🫡🫡🫡

[@philipmurphy2]

Great KZbin video, better then what is on live TV

[@armaanamod]

Add this to the playlist

[@Cogouartandcraft]

Awesome 🎉🎉

[@thehomeschoolinglibrarian]

Even as an Agnostic I marvel at religious art especially the architecture.

[@abdillahfamilychannel8418]

As a Muslim, this video is amazing. Thank you.

[@davehud2552]

I believe religious art are all acquired from the beauty of nature for expressing grateful of existence. All rules & stricts are weightless 🌼

[@anisa2273]

islamic art is one of the most beautiful ones out there!

[@harsyakiarraathallah2222]

it's True!

[@Roop1962]

The masjid (mosque) in Iran simply took my breath way

[@fairygurl9269]

Thank You

[@UpasnaParikh151]

Hindu Art and architecture is the most stunning and unique IMO

[@cinema6444]

Hindu and buddhist temple art like the sculptures and intricate carvings deserves the praise!!

[@BrianHutzellMusic]

03:38 For more on the Lindau Gospels, see Christopher de Hamel, “The Manuscripts Club.”

[@matthewpfeffer4569]

Thank you for covering Jewish art. This is a very underrepresented area of art history.

[@shakirakurosawa1740]

I would have loved a more "classic" approach with more actual theory in this course but I enjoy it nevertheless, keep it up!

[@Alverant]

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.

[@Shorts_sk_001]

Yes that is old 😮

[@rajkumarofficial504]

❤from India

[@gpjclarke]

mami wata looks strikingly like the "snake goddess" of the Minoans. I think it was found at Knossos

[@user-yp8bq6io5y]

I grew up in a pretty ostentatious catholic church. Its made out of sand stone, with marble columns and floors, stained glass, brass fixtures, gilded paintings on so many walls and sacred spaces, and a ton of hand carved wood work. Ive always had an affinity for religious art and now as a pagan practitioner and artist I spend a lot of hours looking at and working on religious artefacts and artworks. its nice knowing that since I dont have a church and cultivate my own religious space im part of a long tradition!

[@nataliazulem5692]

I missed her art videos I didn’t know she was here 😭

[@tamimaljefrita]

❤

[@JurassicLion2049]

HOLY S*** THE YETI IS DOING CRASH COURSE!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@cookicha]

So far it's Art Philosophy rather than History, isn't it? Not complaining tho. But I like good ol linear history too

[@ericreativecuts]

Religion is cultural and moral transmission. Therefore there is no functional difference between art and religion.

[@MrMetro-mt5qv]

The Renaissance Era allowed for more secular expression.

[@aminkhani_ai]

Iran's buildings and civilization are really beautiful, but unfortunately, Iran has not been introduced as much as it should be

[@johnnydarling8021]

4:00 Catholics: *"God likes GOLD!"*

[@cometmoon4485]

I love Islamic architecture, it's magnificent

[@Pratchettgaiman]

A lot of Jewish and some Christian art is also aniconic, although they’re not as hardcore about it as Islamic art is

[@kryptonite0018]

Ancient hindu, shinto, Chinese, and buddhist arts are by far the best

[@msaudreylee]

+

[@rabrojonel]

4:54 I learned about triptychs in Hogwarts Legacy. 😂 See? Video games are educational.

[@lorenabpv]

tbh the only good thing about catholicism is the gothic art and architecture

[@mochisprite9779]

I'm a little disappointed she didn't talk about Orthodox Christian icons at all...