History of Art

Course summary

Art History is an academically rigorous essay-based discipline that demands we first look at works of art and architecture, then try to understand them. We study social, political and religious context: we examine the history behind works of art, as well as learning the technical language to describe them. Lessons are visual and academically testing. We are often out of the classroom using the resources of Treasury, the Fellows’ Library and the buildings of Winchester College. There are study visits to museums and galleries in the UK each term. Every year there is a trip abroad. Recent destinations have included Florence, Rome, Venice, Barcelona, Paris, Amsterdam and New York. The Kenneth Clark Society organises a variety of events such as lectures and visits to exhibitions.