The Role of Art History Education in Developing Critical Thinking Skills — Take the Renaissance as an Example

With the rapid development of modern social and economic construction, aesthetic education has been paid more and more attention. Art comes from life, and art history has experienced intricate historical changes. Nowadays, in the development process of K12 basic education, art history education is an important way to cultivate students’ aesthetic ability and cultural literacy, and one of its core objectives is to develop students’ critical thinking skills. The Renaissance, as a peak in the development of European art and culture, not only witnessed the birth of many masters of art, but also marked the liberation of art from religious bondage to a profound exploration of humanity, nature and society. Therefore, the inclusion of Renaissance art history in the K12 education system will not only enrich students’ historical knowledge, but also guide students to in-depth thinking and critical analysis through specific works of art.