Definition Art history as we know it in the 21st century began in the 19th century but has precedents that

date to the ancient world. Like the analysis of historical trends in politics, literature, and the sciences, the discipline benefits from the clarity and portability of the written word, but art historians also rely on formal analysis, semiotics,psychoanalysis and iconography. Advances in photographic reproduction and printing techni ues after !orld !ar "" increased the ability of reproductions of artworks. #uch technologies have helped to advance the discipline in profound ways, as they have enabled easy comparisons of ob$ects. %he study of visual art thus described, can be a practice that involves understanding conte&t, form, and social significance.