Masterpieces in Context

Masterpieces in Context examines individual works by major European artists such as Breughel, Bernini, Manet, Cassatt and Caillebotte. Moving from the 16th century to the late 19th century, the course focuses on the important cities of Antwerp, Brussel, Rome and Paris. Locating the works of these seminal artists in their historical contexts, the course emphasises both their iconographical nature and their contemporary interpretations. Emphasis throughout is placed on lively discussion about images and their meanings.

DELIVERY MODE

• Face-to-Face

SUGGESTED READING

• Alan Krell, Manet and the Painters of Contemporary Life, 1996, Thames & Hudson, 1996. ISBN 0-500-20289-3
• Jurgen Muller, The Complete Paintings of Breughel, English Publish Taschen, 2020, ISBN 9783836580960
• Susan M Dixon, Italian Baroque Art, Wiley, 2008, ISBN 9781405139670n (paperback)

COURSE OUTLINE

• The socio-political contexts in which consummate works by various European artists are made
• The basic iconography of the works
• The contemporary reaction to these works
• The shifting interpretations of these works to this day

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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

1. Gain an ability to look at visual art in a critical way
2. Gain an ability to articulate these visual forms and your response confidently
3. Gain an awareness of how meanings of visual art shift and change and excite