Art History courses in Ireland

Humans have always been on the move: sometimes by choice as colonisers, traders or travellers, and at other times by necessity, as migrants escaping difficult or dangerous circumstance or seeking better opportunities. Migration, the movement of people between places, can be voluntary or forced, temporary or permanent, and may be driven by a complex range…

The reign of King (later Emperor) Charlemagne (768-814 AD) marked a flourishing of the visual arts that had not been seen since the fall of the Roman Empire. Often styled the ‘Carolingian Renaissance’, the artistic culture of the period was characterised by a politically-motivated evocation of the classical past, fused with elements of existing art…

This 10-week course begins in September and in January. A brief overview of art from beginnings to modern times, and also a detailed look at the work of some artists. Through a careful reading of art, we can better understand our common history. A key objective is to help you derive more from your gallery…

Introduction to Art History A foundation course of art history exploring the development of Western Art from Classical Antiquity to 20th Century. The survey of main periods in art history introduces to key concepts, major artists and iconic artworks. In these enjoyable classes topics are discussed together to develop visual skills enabling students to engage…

This module, led by Dr Rachel Moss, presents a thematic overview of the global intersections and relationships of Western visual and material culture across a range of historically located examples. Topics are explored in this module under the broad themes of knowledge and discovery and empire building. Through these lenses lectures will explore topics as…

This part of the Cultural Intersections in the History of Art course examines the influence of different global cultures on the history of Western art from the medieval period to the twentieth century. Organised thematically, Dr Rachel Moss will consider how different factors such as religious conversion, trade and the age of discovery on artistic…

This lecture-only module offers a survey of Western painting and sculpture from around 1520. It provides an introduction to the critical analysis of artworks and considers matters such as the iconography of major religious and mythological subjects, issues of style, the functions of works of art and architecture, as well as the range of technical…

This module offers a survey of art up to the end of seventeenth century, with a focus primarily, although not exclusively, on the Western world. It provides an introduction to the critical analysis of artworks, including painting, mosaic, fine metalwork, manuscripts, and sculpture. The module considers such matters as the iconography of major religious and…

This module considers objects and places from the medieval world that have accumulated multiple meanings over time. Challenging the narrative of a ‘clash of civilisations’ between Islam and Christianity, it focuses on the entangled histories of art and architecture in the medieval Mediterranean, examining through case studies the mediatory role of art, material culture and…

Online Art Appreciation course. Learn how to ‘read’ a painting and appreciate artworks from around the world. ar This 10 week online course explores art from all corners of the Globe. This new course in art appreciation aims to take students on a visually inspired journey around the world – from the comfort of home. Concentrating…

The module will study some patterns of artistic development in Britain, France and Ireland, with reference to the circumstances found in the main centres of production. It will explore the roles of the period’s major artists, including Gainsborough, Hogarth, Angelica Kauffmann, and Reynolds; H.D. Hamilton, Hone and Roberts, and Boucher, David, Adélaïde Labille-Guiard and Goya.…

The lecture-only module will examine Netherlands’ wealth of artistic production in the seventeenth century, primarily studying Rembrandt and Vermeer. These contrasting and complementary figures represent the diverse tendencies of the time. The course will focus on the development of individual styles and subject matter ranging from history painting to portraiture, landscape, and genre painting. The…

This course presents a thematic introduction to Irish art, architecture and design in its broader international context. Subjects will be connected across periods and styles – the focus not on presenting summarised histories but rather considering how aspects of Irish visual history are connected and have evolved over time. Lectures will include identifying key works…

This module presents a thematic overview of the global intersections and relationships of Western visual and material culture across a range of historically located examples. Topics are explored in this module under the broad themes of appropriations and the ‘other’ and cultural geographies. Through these lenses, lectures will explore topics as diverse as orientalism, photography…