Draft program of the subject test in art history

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has proposed for public discussion a draft syllabus for a subject test in art history, which will become part of the Unified Professional Entrance Examination (UPEE) for applicants to the Master’s program. 🎓 This test is mandatory for the entire field of study B – Culture, Arts and Humanities (except for B11 Philology), and can also be used as a subject test of the applicant’s choice for the field of study A – Education (all specialties of the field), specialties C6 Geography and Regional Studies, C7 Journalism, D4 Public Administration and Management, I9 Public Health, I10 Social Work and Counseling, I11 Children and Youth Services, J2 Hotel and Restaurant Management and Catering, J3 Tourism and Recreation, J4 Occupational Health and Safety, K8 Fire Safety, K10 Civil Security

The draft program is under public discussion until May 1, 2025 ⏰. Everyone can send their comments and suggestions to the following e-mail address: [email protected] ✉️.

The results of the discussion will be published on the official website of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine no later than two weeks after the end of the discussion. 📋

Let’s take a closer look at what awaits future masters in art history and cultural studies.

🔍 Structure of the subject test

The program consists of eight sections, each of which has its own share in the overall grade:

1. Theoretical section (5%) 📚.
2. Prehistoric art (4%) 🏺.
3. Art of the Ancient World (15%) 🏛️.
4. Medieval art (12%) ⚔️.
5. Art of the Renaissance (16%) 🖼️.
6. Art of the sixteenth – mid-nineteenth century (20%) 👑.
7. Art of the second half of the XIX – early XX century (14%) 🎭.
8. Art of the second half of the XX – early XXI century (14%) 🎬.

The greatest attention in the test is paid to the art of the XVI – mid-nineteenth century (20%), as well as the art of the Renaissance (16%).

📝 Key topics for preparation

Section 1: Theoretical section 📚

• The concept and essence of art.
• Aesthetic categories and concepts in the analysis of art.
• Historical types of worldview and culture.
• Historical differentiation of art forms.
• Religious sacred art.

Section 2: Prehistoric art 🏺

• Characteristic features of the art of fixed monuments of the Paleolithic-Mesolithic period.
• Movable monuments of Paleolithic-Mesolithic art.
• The art of the Neolithic-Enelite period.
• Art and archaic forms of religion.

Section 3: Art of the Ancient World 🏛️

• Art of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt.
• Ancient mythology as the basis of art.
• Architecture of ancient Rome.
• Art of the Scythians and Sarmatians.

Section 4: Medieval art ⚔️

• Architecture of the Middle Ages.
• Medieval iconography.
• Religious and secular music.
• Literature and performing arts of the Middle Ages.
• The art of the medieval manuscript.

Section 5: Art of the Renaissance 🖼️

• Periodization of Renaissance art.
• Architecture and painting of the Renaissance.
• Music of the Renaissance.
• Stage art of the Renaissance.
• Literature and philosophy of the Renaissance.

Section 6: Art of the 16th – mid-19th century. 👑

• Baroque: architecture, painting, music, Ukrainian Baroque.
• Classicism: philosophy, aesthetics, architecture, fine arts, music.
• Art movements of the XIX century: romanticism, neoclassicism, eclecticism.

Section 7: Art of the second half of the XIX – early XX century 🎭

• Impressionism and post-impressionism.
• Development of theater and cinema.
• Modernism as an art style.
• Modernist trends and movements: fauvism, cubism, futurism, abstractionism, expressionism, surrealism, dadaism.

Section 8: Art of the second half of the XX – early XXI century 🎬

• Main concepts in the art of this period: postmodernism, mass art.
• Art movements: pop art, conceptualism, minimalism, video art, digital art.
• Ukrainian nonconformism, naive art.
• Contemporary architecture, design, cinema, choreography and music.

⚠️ What to pay special attention to

When preparing for the test, you should focus on the following aspects:

1. Baroque and Classicist art as the most important sections (20% of the total) 👑.
2. Renaissance art is the second most important topic (16%) 🖼️.
3. The art of the Ancient World is an important component of the program (15%) 🏛️.
4. Contemporary art – knowledge of the main trends of modernism and postmodernism (28% in total) 🎭🎬.
5. Interrelation of different types of art – the program covers not only fine arts, but also architecture, music, theater, and cinema 🎨🏛️🎵🎭🎬.

💡 Recommendations for preparation

Given the structure of the test, we recommend that future applicants:

• Study the theoretical foundations of art history 📚.
• Pay special attention to Baroque, Classicist, and Renaissance art 👑🖼️.
• Study the peculiarities and key monuments of the ancient world 🏛️.
• To understand the main trends of modernism and postmodernism 🎭🎬.
• Know the main works of world and Ukrainian art of different periods 🌍🇺🇦.
• Understand the peculiarities of the development of not only visual arts, but also music, theater, and cinema 🎨🎵🎭🎬.
• Pay attention to the national specificity of Ukrainian art of different periods 🇺🇦.

We hope you will pass this test successfully. Follow our news – we will keep you updated! 🔔