Introduction to Modern Art History (Online)
Course
Online
Description
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Type
Course
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Methodology
Online
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Duration
4 Weeks
The twentieth century was one of the most important periods of history for the world of art, one so expansive that we still feel its effects today. The movements and artists of the Modern period set the tone for the Contemporary art that currently fills galleries and pushed artistic debate to reach new academic standards with its radical ideas...
Reviews
Subjects
- Works
- Art History
- Painting
- Art
- Technology
- Cubism
- Futurism
- Surrealism
- Abstract
- Expressionism
Course programme
The twentieth century was one of the most important periods of history for the world of art, one so expansive that we still feel its effects today. The movements and artists of the Modern period set the tone for the Contemporary art that currently fills galleries and pushed artistic debate to reach new academic standards with its radical ideas. Many are now familiar with some its most famous works by the likes of Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol, but the historical narrative and formal concepts of Modern Art still confuse museum visitors and students every day.
This course is designed to give a comprehensive introduction to the field of Modern Art by studying in detail its most definitive artists and movements. Over our lectures we cover an immense amount of ground from the Impressionist revolution of the late 1800s to the showmanship of the YBAs. Through paintings, videos, manifestos and writings we unpick the reasons for and meanings behind each theme in order to gain a good understanding of how such art came about and why it was important. Some of the areas we cover include Impressionism, Cubism, Futurism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism and many more. Each area is given specific attention individual lectures and notes are sent out after each class with the corresponding images. Discussion is encouraged and students will be asked to read texts before each class.
No prior knowledge of art history is required but the course is also suited to current or previous students of art history.
Week One: Making the Modern
What did modern art emerge from? What movements anticipated an upheaval of painting?
Subjects: Academies of Art, Symbolism, Realism and Romanticism, & more
Week Two: Revolutions in Painting
Impressionism and Cubism are widely recognised movements of painting, but what made them so important at the time they emerged? We look at formal and conceptual qualities that enrich these two key movements.
Subjects: Paris 1900-1920, Impressionism, Cubism, Picasso, Monet, Renoir, & more
Week Three: Visions of Modernity
In Italy, modern painters sketched out a way of living that broke completely with the past through dedication to technology and progress. Elsewhere in Europe painters turned away from the physical world into realms of spirituality to realise their visions. We look at two different sides to the Modern phenomena through abstract painting and beyond.
Subjects: Futurism, Constructivism, Abstraction, De Stijl, Kandinsky
Week Four: Leaving Modernity
Following two world wars, visions of a utopian art began to fade. Now that we have looked at some of the key features of Modern art, we will use our last session to look at how they dismantled and modified toward the contemporary age. How did changing society affect artworks post 1950? Is painting still important in a time of conceptual art?
Subjects: Pop Art, Abstract Expressionism, Surrealism, Postmodernity
Please note: This course is for students aged 18 and older
Introduction to Modern Art History (Online)