The professorships of Andrea von Hülsen-Esch and Julia Trinkert represent European art history from the Middle Ages to the early modern period, as well as the 19th century and classical modernism from a cultural studies perspective. Research and teaching focus on the materiality and production of art.

In addition to the classical genres of architecture, painting and sculpture, the researchers working in both teams are focussing on objects from the field of treasury art as well as textile paintings and stained glass. Other research focuses on the connection between liturgy and art, sacred topography, age research, but also the history of knowledge and the social history of knowledge in art. In addition, the team devotes itself to a wide variety of subject areas, such as research into the art trade, the social history of artists, art sociology and medieval foundations, but also cultural heritage and spatial theory or sociology, portrait research and the reception of antiquity. Another focus is on methodological and theoretical questions about cultural transfer. Geographical focuses are specific cultural areas in northern, southern and central Europe and on the Iberian Peninsula.

The team has outstanding expertise in the theory and practice of monument and cultural mediation and develops essential contributions to critical heritage studies. The current focus is on contemporary discourses and methods in contemporary monument preservation as well as possibilities and concepts of virtual/digital heritage in research and mediation.

Overall, the department plays a pioneering role in the conception and development of digital teaching/learning and mediation options. New digital formats for mediation and teaching are being developed within the framework of Digital Art History .