History of Art

Course summary

In Art History we explore societies, from the Ancient World to the present, Western and Non- Western, through the lens of their visual arts, be that painting, sculpture or architecture, as they all reveal, in differing ways, what a society was like, its values and preoccupations. As a discipline, Art History encourages us to ask questions about how we see the world; by studying visual culture through history, we can reflect on the changing relationship between society and art over time. One of Art History's many strengths is that it is inherently interdisciplinary. In studying the arts, we are constantly making links to a diverse range of subjects, from history, literature, philosophy, religion, politics, anthropology, and sociology to economics. In a society dominated by images, be that twitter, Instagram or Netflix, the ability to understand, and more importantly, to critically analyse the wealth of images that bombard us seems more pressing than ever. Over the course of study, we explore compelling themes such as the representation of gender, ethnicity and identity, ideals of beauty and the body, the modern world, nature, war and conflict, class and power, changing conceptions of the divine, the power of the visual and the enduring appeal of the Ancient World. We also consider the stylistic development of Western Art and Architecture, from the 5th Century BC to the present, and analyse how artists and architects manipulate the elements of art to communicate meaning. History of Art develops your key academic skills in essay writing, argument, analysis and evaluation. We visit galleries to see works in the original form and in their original context if possible, so you learn to consider a work not just for its aesthetic value but also for its social and historical context.