Introduction:
This course introduces the overall story of great works of art in painting, sculpture, architecture and the minor arts through history. It also surveys particular aspects of image making through history, and will include lectures about the influences on the artists who have been inspiration for the Four Studio themes, both in the Painting and in the Sculpture departments, in this way providing clear examples of how these masters have engaged with history in their development.
Course structure and content:
The course will be delivered as a series of surveys or themes across time and location, helping students to recognise the overall trajectory of various aspects of the visual arts - for example: how the human figure has been depicted, the role and purpose of narrative in artworks, changes to subject and symbol, and how design, and pictorial design in particular, has changed throughout history. The course will include an exploration of the historical, philosophical and cultural contexts relevant to understanding the visual arts and the impact they had through the history of art. Onsite teaching (in museums) will provide the unique experience of studying important works of art and architecture first hand.
Learning Objectives:
At the completion of the course, students will: *Develop the capacity to apply art historical vocabulary to describe major stylistic transformations in art; *Be able to identify works of art by artist/culture, style, date, medium and technique; *Be able to analyse how art reflects its contexts (historical, cultural, political, religious, and philosophical); *Be able to write brief but meaningful comparisons of art works; *Be able to interpret symbolic messages conveyed by art; *Be able to communicate views related to this area of art history with others, and gain insight from other people's perspectives; *Be able to relate art history to broader life experiences and the contemporary world; *Have a clearer understanding of each of the Four Studio themes from which to choose at the end of Semester 2.