If artworks are a product of our culture, it is through them that we can unlock past worlds, decipher what people thought, believed and imagined, as well as better understand our present moment. Art History is the study of the history of visual culture from Ancient temples such as the Parthenon, to Contemporary site-specific installations such as Ai Wei Wei’s Sunflower seeds. This is a history that is diverse and multicultural, that explores the Benin Bronzes alongside the Italian Renaissance. Art History can be thought of as an umbrella subject in its ties to other subjects, not only History but also PRE, English and Politics. We will draw upon all of these subjects to ask challenging questions, to understand why certain artworks and buildings from the ‘Mona Lisa’ to Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits have had such enduring popularity. With millions of images and videos posted on Instagram daily, visual literacy has never been more important. The course covers artworks and architecture from across the globe, ranging over 2,500 years. We study several case studies within two themes (Nature and Identity) and two historical periods: the Renaissance in Florence, Venice and Rome (1420-1520) as well as the Contemporary period in Britain and America post-1960. There is also an ‘unseen’ Visual Analysis course in which we learn key visual literacy skills. For each of our case studies, be it a painting or a photograph, we examine it in terms of its materials and techniques, its subject matter, its patronage and historical context. There will be the opportunity to participate in Art History seminars, debates and conferences at other local schools such as the ‘West London Art History Cafe’, at Harrow School and further afield for instance at Heathfield School, Ascot. There are also yearly events organised by the Association of Art Historians such as the ‘Ways of Seeing Conference’ held last year at the National Gallery. Students are encouraged to enter competitions such as the SPoKE filmmaking competition, ARTiculation and ‘Write on Art’. As often as possible, you will learn in London museums and galleries as well as on trips within the UK and overseas, such as a trip to Venice in 2019. There is no one type of successful Art History student but you must enjoy essay-writing and examining artworks and buildings. Art History complements other A Levels whether humanities or sciences. Artworks can be approached scientifically, mathematically even, as well as from a historical perspective.
About Education Provider
| Region | London |
| Local Authority | Ealing |
| Ofsted Rating | |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| ISI Report | View Report |
| Boarding Fee | Unknown |
| Sixth Form Fee | £23,895 |
| Address | 2 Cleveland Road, Ealing, W13 8AX |
If artworks are a product of our culture, it is through them that we can unlock past worlds, decipher what people thought, believed and imagined, as well as better understand our present moment. Art History is the study of the history of visual culture from Ancient temples such as the Parthenon, to Contemporary site-specific installations such as Ai Wei Wei’s Sunflower seeds. This is a history that is diverse and multicultural, that explores the Benin Bronzes alongside the Italian Renaissance. Art History can be thought of as an umbrella subject in its ties to other subjects, not only History but also PRE, English and Politics. We will draw upon all of these subjects to ask challenging questions, to understand why certain artworks and buildings from the ‘Mona Lisa’ to Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits have had such enduring popularity. With millions of images and videos posted on Instagram daily, visual literacy has never been more important. The course covers artworks and architecture from across the globe, ranging over 2,500 years. We study several case studies within two themes (Nature and Identity) and two historical periods: the Renaissance in Florence, Venice and Rome (1420-1520) as well as the Contemporary period in Britain and America post-1960. There is also an ‘unseen’ Visual Analysis course in which we learn key visual literacy skills. For each of our case studies, be it a painting or a photograph, we examine it in terms of its materials and techniques, its subject matter, its patronage and historical context. There will be the opportunity to participate in Art History seminars, debates and conferences at other local schools such as the ‘West London Art History Cafe’, at Harrow School and further afield for instance at Heathfield School, Ascot. There are also yearly events organised by the Association of Art Historians such as the ‘Ways of Seeing Conference’ held last year at the National Gallery. Students are encouraged to enter competitions such as the SPoKE filmmaking competition, ARTiculation and ‘Write on Art’. As often as possible, you will learn in London museums and galleries as well as on trips within the UK and overseas, such as a trip to Venice in 2019. There is no one type of successful Art History student but you must enjoy essay-writing and examining artworks and buildings. Art History complements other A Levels whether humanities or sciences. Artworks can be approached scientifically, mathematically even, as well as from a historical perspective.