Course Catalogue

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This course provides an introduction to the fascinating contribution to painting in Spain of five outstanding artists who enjoyed international renown. Each week we will look at a different artist and, while we focus on the following five artists, El Greco, Velazquez, Zurbaran, Murillo and Goya, we will also explore their work in its social and historical context. This context includes consideration of the status and work of contemporary women artists connected with the Spanish court such as the Italian painters Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana. Reference will be made to major examples in European and British national and public collections.

Block 3, weeks 6-10

Wednesday, 10.00-12.00

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Visual test (set exercise): formal analysis and contextual analysis of 2 works (100%)

This course aims to:

■ Provide an introduction to painting in Spain from c.1570-1830.

■ Introduce the principal themes and styles of painting which developed during this period through the work of five major artists based in the cities of Toledo, Seville and Madrid.

■ Introduce and analyse key examples of these artists' paintings.

■ Consider Spanish painting in the context of European art.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Discuss the main themes and stylistic changes in Spanish painting from c.1570-1830 and their relation to western European painting.

■ Distinguish between the work of the five outstanding artists studied and the subjects they specialised in.

■ Demonstrate skills in art-historical research methods though comparative formal and contextual analysis of Spanish works of art.

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.