Art History and its visual counterpart

With the benefit of time and hindsight, there is much we can disagree in Wofflin's writings. Yet credit is due where it is due. The past readings in our class have definitely shed more insight into my understanding of Wofflin's phenomenology. Wofflin is obviously associated as one of the early fathers of Art History, but now it's very clear that his interpretation of Western Art History runs parallel with his notion of the history of human vision: "Vision itself has its history" (p.11). This in part exemplifies how this painting (take note of the spinning wheel) by Velazquez in 17th century Spain:



occured independently yet simultaneously (more or less) with this "painterly" painting by the Dutch Judith Lyster (a woman even!):



There is merit to Wofflin's trajectory, yet I have to wonder if it is correct in articulating that human vision has evolved when rather it is the human knowledge of vision that led to new ways of seeing and artistic creation.