I taught a lot of art history, especially Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. But the painting classes came back. The nudes came back. Not so much the still lifes. So now our department is the worst department, partly because it has the worst facilities.

Ad Reinhardt’s quote—“I taught a lot of art history, especially Chinese, Japanese, and Indian. But the painting classes came back. The nudes came back. Not so much the still lifes. So now our department is the worst department, partly because it has the worst facilities”—reflects his perspective on the evolving nature of art education and the challenges faced by his department. Reinhardt discusses how, despite his focus on broader and more diverse art history topics, the painting classes—particularly those focused on nudes—became dominant again, overshadowing other forms of artistic exploration like still lifes. He also points out the lack of resources in his department, which he believes contributed to its decline in importance within the academic institution.

The origin of this quote comes from Reinhardt’s experiences as a professor and influential figure in the world of art and education. Known for his abstract and minimalist paintings, Reinhardt was deeply involved in teaching art history and theory, focusing on various cultural art forms, including Chinese, Japanese, and Indian traditions. His frustration with the resurgence of traditional painting subjects like nudes speaks to the tensions between avant-garde movements and more conventional art practices during the mid-20th century.

By mentioning that nudes came back, Reinhardt is commenting on the cyclical nature of art trends, where certain themes, like the human figure, often reappear in the curriculum despite the push for broader artistic exploration. The decline of still lifes—a traditional genre in art history—further illustrates his point that the focus of art education has shifted away from more diverse and innovative approaches, returning to classic forms that have historical significance but may lack the forward-thinking quality he valued.

Ultimately, Reinhardt’s quote highlights the tension between traditional and contemporary approaches to art education. His frustration with the lack of resources and the dominance of certain subjects in the curriculum reflects a broader critique of the institutional structures that can stifle creative and academic growth. Reinhardt’s work as both an educator and artist was deeply tied to challenging the status quo, and his comments underscore the challenges that arise when institutions fail to fully support innovative, diverse, and evolving forms of art and education.