Pictures into Words: Writing About Art
ENGLISH CSAS
Subject & Catalog Number
Course Information
Description
In an attention economy, with phone cameras and AI ubiquitous, are we losing the ability to describe what we see with our own eyes? What meaning can emerge from paying attention to art and converting attention into description?
This course will examine various kinds of ekphrasis – or vivid written responses to works of art – as we work to develop our own, personal forms of ekphrasis in different modes. Readings will include poetry, fiction and criticism.
Additionally, the course will entail visiting actual works of art in Harvard Art Museums. Students will practice their own verbal and written responses, working from (but also questioning) the premise that every act of description can be, in a deeper sense, an act of praise.
Applicants should be willing to speak and write from their hearts, and to avoid jargon. The aim will be to produce pieces of writing that, while personal, could be published in magazines or books read by the general public rather than pitched to an exclusively academic community.
Class Notes
Taught by Sebastian Smee
Admission by application only. For information on specific application requirements and instructions, please see the full course listing on the English Department website.
DEADLINE: For all Fall 2026 workshops, applications will open by Monday, March 23 and are due via Submittable by 11:59pm on Sunday, April 5. Students will be notified of admissions decisions by 4:00pm ET on Thursday, April 9, and must accept/claim their seats within 24 hours. Workshops will meet the first week of classes.
Available for Harvard Cross Registration
