History of Art

Course summary

History of Art offers pupils the opportunity to explore history through the conduit of art. A-level art historians will have a desire to discover the meanings behind our visual world and discuss the impact of artists and art movements. Across the two years, pupils develop skills in visual analysis, research, debate and essay writing, alongside a broader appreciation of visual and cultural histories. A wide variety of art and architectural topics are studied, spanning 500 BC to the present day. Pupils require no prior knowledge of art history, however, an interest in culture, artistic concepts and visual critique are essential. The subject shares skills and subject matter with History, Classics, Art, English, Politics and Architecture. It is a very interdisciplinary study of the world through the lens of visual culture. We view first-hand experience of artworks as essential to the course, therefore trips to galleries and architectural sites of interest are built into the course, as part of a programme of situated research.