David Stewart

• Associate Professor of Art & Art History
• office: 301 Roberts Hall
• phone: 256.824.2587
• email: stewartd@uah.edu

education

• PhD Boston University, Art History 1988
• MA University of South Carolina, Art History 1980
• BA University of South Carolina, Philosophy 1976

teaching

Art History demonstrates the enormous impact that history, philosophy, literature, politics, science, technology and economics have had on the history of art. Works of art create immensely concentrated bundle of meanings, through style and subject matter; and art history equips us to engage this branch of culture, which is as intellectually exciting as it is visually stimulating. The work of art is the touchstone of art history and its meanings are first and foremost visual, but art history also demands finely honed skills of critical thinking. I teach the history of art, in part, by teaching the history of art history. By exposing students to a breadth of fine art historical interpretations, and by cultivating critical thinking, students learn that art history is far more than a cold list of facts.

research interest

My current research concerns the intersection between the Victorian Women's Rights Movement and Victorian Art. In particular, I am concerned with the case of the artist, George Frederic Watts. Watts, a supporter of the suffrage movement, frequently painted works addressing women's rights

honors & awards

• UAH Humanities Center Research Grant (Research in Italy), 2001 and 2002
• UAH Foundation Distinguished Teaching Award, 2000-2001
• UAH Mini-Grant (Research in Italy and Germany), 1999 and 2000