Final answer:
Art historians study the contextual forces that shape artists and their oeuvres by examining elements such as style, function, and cultural significance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Art historians study the contextual forces that shape artists and their oeuvres. This includes investigating elements such as style, function, and cultural significance. Style refers to the shared characteristics that artworks from the same time and place possess, and it can be used to determine the origin and historical context of a work. Function, on the other hand, looks at the intended purpose of an artwork beyond its aesthetic qualities, which helps to understand its features and meaning. Additionally, art historians analyze artworks as cultural artifacts to examine their significance within specific historical contexts.