We are committed to global historical inquiry from the Middle Ages to the present and collaborate in research, including in contemporary art and theory, colonial and postcolonial histories, histories of the body and the formation of art historical knowledge itself. As one of the first History of Art departments in the UK to pursue feminist studies, examine issues of class and inequality, and explore visual studies of difference, our work formed the groundwork for the pioneering critical approaches for which we are now known. The Department also has longstanding expertise in the study of print culture and other visual technologies, which has emerged in tandem with our commitment to materials and conservation, a focus of research served by our unique Material Studies Laboratory.
We host a range of research events, including our visual cultures Past Imperfect series, Centre for the Study of Contemporary Art (CSCA) seminars and Department Research Seminars with invited academics. We also partner with the Institute of Advanced Studies (IAS), a community of scholars committed to critical thinking and enquiry.
Public Engagement
Find out how members of the Department engage with diverse audiences.
Material Studies Laboratory
A research and teaching facility housed within the Department.
Staff Publications
An online bookshelf of publications authored and edited by staff past and present.
Postdoctoral Research Opportunities
Opportunities for postdoctoral researchers to join us and contribute to impactful research.
Laidlaw Scholars
Learn about our ambitious undergraduate Laidlaw Scholars and their research.
REF 2021
UCL History of Art researched is ranked overall best in London for Art and Design and 3rd in the UK for Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory by REF 2021.
Banner Image: Autumn Maples with Poem Slips, Tosa Mitsuoki, c. 1675