Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In art history, social refers to anything related to society, including its customs, traditions, hierarchies, and interactions among individuals. Artworks often reflect social structures and dynamics of the time they were created.
Related terms
Class hierarchy: The division of society into different social classes based on wealth, occupation, or birth.
Gender roles: Societal expectations and behaviors assigned to individuals based on their perceived gender.
Cultural norms: Shared beliefs, values, customs, and practices that define acceptable behavior within a particular society.