FAH315 Michelangelo and His World: Writing About Art

The importance of images and visual media in contemporary culture is changing what it means to be literate in the 21st century. Today's society is highly visual, and visual imagery is no longer supplemental to other forms of information. New digital technologies have made it possible for almost anyone to create and share visual media. Yet the pervasiveness of images and visual media does not necessarily mean that individuals are able to critically view, use, and produce visual content. Individuals must develop these essential skills in order to engage capably in a visually-oriented society. Visual literacy empowers individuals to participate fully in a visual culture.

In addition to over 5,000 images of traditional and contemporary artworks, Visual-Arts-Cork.com features thousands of articles on the history of fine art, the main painting genres, art movements, periods and styles, as well as hundreds of artist-biographies, and reviews of museums and galleries.

A not-for-profit association of researchers, educators, designers, media specialists, and artists dedicated to the principles of visual literacy.

Images contain information and ideas, and visual literacy allows the viewer to gather the information and ideas contained in an image, and place them in context.