Final answer:
The field of academic study emphasizing the cultural meaning of a work of art rather than its aesthetic value is called visual culture. The correct answer is option: b.) visual culture
Step-by-step explanation:
The field of academic study emphasizing the cultural meaning of a work of art rather than its aesthetic value is called visual culture. This discipline focuses on art as a cultural artifact, examining its significance and role in a given historical context.
One of the objectives of visual culture is to understand why and by whom a work was made, its original function, and its cultural significance at different moments in history. Contemporary art, with the influence of movements and cultural trends, often reflects the mass media environment in which it is created, transforming and adopting new meanings from everyday visual experiences.