Short courses

Summary

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. 

Areas you'll explore include: 

• Painting in Spain from c.1570-1830. 
• 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. 
• Consider Spanish painting in the context of European art. 

 By the end of the course, you’ll 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.