Formerly the section of art history at the Institute of History (established 1947), the Institute of Art History was founded with a decree of the presidency of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts on 28 November 1972. On 20 March 1975 it was re-named the France Stele Institute of Art History, after its first head, the leading Slovene art historian of the time and academician Dr. France Stele (1886-1972). Since the foundation of the Research Centre of the Slovene Academy of Sciences and Arts in 1981 it is one of its institutes.

The institute is the central research institution in the field of art history in Slovenia. The researches are conducted into the fine arts and architecture from the Middle Ages to present times. Special studies are dedicated to the art of the Romanesque period, Baroque and the 19th and 20th centuries. Research results contribute to the preservation of art monuments which represent essential components of Slovene national identity. The institute collaborates with Slovenian galleries, museums and institutions for monument protection, as well as with institutions and experts located abroad. 

France Stele Institute of Art History regularly publishes the journals Acta historiae artis Slovenica (since 1996) and Umetnostna kronika (since 2003). Most of its monographs are published as part of the book series Opera Instituti Artis Historiae (since 2003), Fundamenta artis historiae (since 2006), Umetnine v žepu (since 2010) and Umetnostna topografija Slovenije (since 2011).

Presentation of the Research Programme Team: (videolectures).

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