<p>1) I think it would be a difficult self-study, but a lot of people here seem to think of it as doable. I’d recommend that you take it if the kids just feel “dead” and it isn’t killing their GPA. There is <em>a lot</em> to learn for Art History.
If you do end up self studying, or taking it at all, get the Annotated Mona Lisa as a prep book. I didn’t personally use it and I did very well (consistently had the highest grades in both bells and received a 5) but it’s highly recommended both here and elsewhere. I just used Barron’s.
2) Undoubtedly! One’s ability to excel in Art History has very little, if anything at all, to do with one’s ability as an artist. I can barely draw a stick figure. While Art History classes likely do have a large number of artists in comparison to other classes – I know mine did – artistic skill is completely unnecessary. My Art History teacher herself would often mention her lack of skill with any typical utensil.</p>