Art Talks #1 - Recap: "Art History: Who Decides What Matters?"

Welcome!

Wow — the very first Art Talks happened last week, and I still can’t believe how amazing it was! 😊

I met such thoughtful, curious people from all kinds of backgrounds, and what amazed me the most was that everyone stayed until the very end.

There was this beautiful shared energy — the kind that makes you feel like something special is starting. A space where we can ask big questions, challenge each other, and grow together. 💬🌱

Thank you so much to everyone who came, supported the idea, and brought such good energy. This is just the beginning!

The Title: 

"Art History: Who Decides What Matters?"

For our very first topic, I chose a question that’s deeply important to me:

Who decides what “matters” in art history? 🤔

We explored how institutions like museums and universities — along with colonialism, politics, and market trends — shape what gets remembered, and what gets ignored.

It was a discussion where we asked:

Who’s been erased or left out?

Why are certain stories told more than others?

How can we rethink what’s “valuable” in art?

This is not just about the past — it’s about how we view culture and creativity right now. 🧠

What We Covered

We talked about some of the foundational texts and key figures that shaped the way we talk about and study art today.💬💡

📖 Books:

Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects by Giorgio Vasari (1996) – One of the earliest art historical texts, full of Renaissance passion 🎨

The Story of Art by E.H. Gombrich (1950) – The classic intro that many of us met in school 👩‍🏫

The Origins of Museums: The Cabinet of Curiosities in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Europe by Impey & MacGregor (1985) – A deep dive into how museums began as elite collections 🏺

Art Since 1900: Modernism, Antimodernism, Postmodernism by Foster, Krauss, Bois, and Buchloh (2004) – Challenging the canon and offering new ways of seeing 🌀

🧠 Art Historians:

Johann Joachim Winckelmann (1717–1768) – Pioneer of stylistic analysis and idealized antiquity

Heinrich Wölfflin (1864–1945) – Brought in formal analysis and visual comparison 👀

Linda Nochlin (1931–2017) – Asked, “Why have there been no great women artists?” and changed the game 🧨

🏛 Museums:

The British Museum – and the questions around colonial acquisitions 🤔

The Louvre – a former palace turned art powerhouse 🏰

The Hermitage – its imperial roots and rich collections in St. Petersburg 🇷🇺

💸 Art Patrons Who Shaped History:

The Medici Family – Renaissance power players and cultural influencers

Catherine the Great – Built an empire and a collection 🖼

Jean Paul Getty – The modern billionaire collector whose legacy still echoes today

Questions We Asked & Explored

❓ Our first Art Talks didn’t just offer a timeline of names and dates—we challenged it. We asked big questions about power, beauty, memory, and inclusion in art history. Here are some of the questions that sparked our discussion—and we invite you to reflect on them too:

- Have you ever heard of artists from outside Europe before the 1800s? If not—why do you think that is?

- What impact do you think Giorgio Vasari’s idea of the “artistic genius” has on how we still value artists today?

- How might The Story of Art read if it were written from a non-Western perspective?

- What’s the difference between collecting and stealing—especially when it comes to art?

- Can an art history book be critical and still remain Eurocentric?

- Is the concept of beauty universal—or is it culturally shaped?

- What would true decolonization look like in a place like the Louvre?

- How is the Hermitage similar to or different from institutions like the British Museum or the Louvre?

- Are there modern-day versions of the Medici family—wealthy patrons shaping the art world today?

- Can wealthy individuals ever be ethical collectors?

- Should modern museums be held accountable for how their collections were built—even if it was “legal” at the time?

💬 Bonus Question

We ended the evening with a personal invitation:

- What’s something from your own culture or background that you believe deserves a place in global art conversations?

Why do you think the world should know about it?

Let’s Build This Together! 🧡

Even though I organized and moderated this first session, the real magic came from the people in the room. The ideas, questions, and openness made it feel like a real community space.

Moving forward, I’d love to invite others to co-moderate with me! 🙌

If there’s a topic you care about, a perspective you want to bring in, or even if you just want to help guide the conversation — you’re so welcome.

Let’s keep this space open, creative, and shaped by all of us.  💬✨

What’s Next?

🗓️ Coming up in August 5, our next theme is:

Art, Exile, Identity: How displacement shapes artistic identity?

We’ll explore how artists respond to exile, migration, and cross-cultural life — and how those experiences shape their work and sense of self.

Can’t wait to dive into this one. Follow @thearttalksprague on Instagram to stay updated — and definitely bring a friend! 💫

Big Thanks!

A huge thank you to Local Cafe/Bar for welcoming us into such a cozy, relaxed space! ☕🪑

And thank you to every single person who showed up, asked a question, stayed curious, or encouraged this project. You made it real.

It meant so much to me — and I truly hope we can keep doing this, again and again. Let’s keep learning, questioning, and growing together. 💛

See you soon for the next Art Talk!

Irem