Short courses

Summary

From the mid-nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century European art underwent an increasingly rapid development of new artistic movements and theories, echoing the wider social and cultural upheaval of the period. These changes to artistic practices and ideas still influence visual art today. During the course movements such as Realism, Impressionism, Fauvism and Cubism are placed within their creative and historical context, helping clarify the many ‘isms’ of the period.  

This course aims to: 

• Provide an introduction to the major developments, artistic movements, and theories in European art throughout the period of study  

• Place the movement within the broader social and artistic contexts, thus demonstrating its all-encompassing and innovative character 

• Introduce students to some of the issues of methodology, historiography and context which are associated with this area of study 

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

• Identify leading figures and movements within European art of the period and be aware of historical, stylistic, and cultural components 

• Evaluate the contribution of the various European art movements covered and their significance 

• Analyse and interpret the major artworks covered in terms of their imagery, function, methods of production and stylistic and cultural components.