American Historical Association

Images of Power: Art as an Historiographic Tool is an informal approach to teaching and learning history through the use of great artworks. The project uses images beginning with Paleolithic cave art through the early Christian era to provide insights into how earlier people lived and the motives that impelled them to create their art. Images guides the participant step-by-step through the illustrations in chronological order in an attempt to help the viewer achieve a working visual literacy that can be applied to understanding history. Images also encourages active participation to appreciate the social, political, and religious implications of the artworks.