Art History -Art and History throught the Ages (An Introduction) 10 weeks

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 with a diverse range of images and objects for pleasure or further study.

Discussed themes and topics include:

Ancient Greece and Rome – representing human body; art and propaganda; development of major architectural styles;

Early Christian, Byzantine and Romanesque Art – depicting the spiritual; art of the book; church in the age of pilgrimages;

The Gothic – art and mysticism; the Gothic cathedral; the dawn of a new era in Italy;

Renaissance and Mannerism in Italy – art in the main artistic centres: Florence, Venice and Rome;

16th Century Art North of the Alps and the reformation of the image;

Baroque – glorifying the Church and the Courts;

Art in the Dutch Republic – Masters of the Dutch Golden Age;

Rococo, Neoclassicism, Romanticism – Art in the Age of Revolution;

19th Century Art – from Realism to Post-Impressionism; changing ideals of Beauty.

Tutor:   Dr Aleksandra Jasniewicz