Appreciate art through learning

Our Art History courses will give you a deeper understanding of what you're looking at. When it comes to art, everyone's has their own opinion on which artist is better than the other, and what their most famous work signifies.

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Through exploring the world of art history, you'll be learning about why pieces are made in the first place and what the pieces mean. You will also examine how that鈥檚 changed over a period of time, as well as the impact it鈥檚 had on society. 

You鈥檒l be taught about many of the aspects from the art creation process, such as the materials used in artworks, and how different kinds of artists contribute differently in expressing their ideas through freehand drawing or digital media. 

Whether you're a seasoned art appreciator or a newbie, there's something here for everyone. From exploring art painted by Salvador Dali or learning all about the history of Nordic Art from the Viking era, we have a selection of online and in-person art history courses from different decades to choose from.  

Attend an Art History course near you  

Whether you choose to learn from the comfort of your own home, or opt for a space in your local community, you鈥檒l be taught by a talented tutor who is an expert in their field. 

The support you鈥檒l receive on our Art History courses

Your tutor will encourage you to develop an understanding of Art History that goes beyond what's on the surface, motivating you to truly immerse yourself in the subject. It鈥檚 our learning experience that sets us apart too, with an encouraging environment that ensures you attend each session with the excitement to learn.   

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Art Appreciation: Expressionism: from Kirchner to Kandinsky and Kokoschka (1905-1939)

In this short course, we will focus on Expressionism, a key art movement of the beginning of the 20th century. Starting around 1905 in Germany and Austria, with painters and sculptors such as Ersnt Ludwig Kirchner and Karl Schmidt-Rotluff, the expressionist style soon pervaded other art forms, such as cinema. Expressionist works of art were raw and energetic, shocking, sometimes dark and apocalyptic, sometimes light and spiritual, and always intensely free. If you have ever wondered what is Expressionism, how it started and developed, and why these artists painted in such a way, this course is for you!

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 20/11/2024 -
Wed 11/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
4 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00017434
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to 拢29.60

Art Appreciation: John Singer Sargent: At Once Modern and Classic

What do you know about John Singer Sargent? He was a high society portrait painter? He painted Madame X, and Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose. In this session, you will learn about the life and career of this extraordinary painter, in greater details. American, he lived in Italy, in France and mainly in England, where he became a sought-after portrait painter. But there is much more to Sargent than his portraits of wealthy patrons. We will also discover some of his impressionist paintings and his watercolours. Sargent鈥檚 art is paradoxical: modern by some features, and classical based on some others. But always, in portraits as in landscapes, he comes across as a brilliant painter.

Course Information

Dates:
Sat 23/11/2024 -
Sat 23/11/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019039
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢8.40

Art Appreciation: Surrealist Art, 1924 to 1945

One hundred years ago, Andr茅 Breton published his Manifesto of Surrealism, officially starting one of the most influential movements of the 20th century. This short course (2 x 2 hours) is an introduction to Surrealist art, and an occasion to dive right in the surreal world of dreams and the unconscious. We will explore the works of iconic artists like Max Ernst, Salvador Dal铆 and Ren茅 Magritte, while learning about key techniques like automatism and collage. We will see how Surrealism challenges reality and sparks creativity. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 02/12/2024 -
Mon 09/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
2 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019738
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢16.80

Art Appreciation: Chagall: Whimsical and Profound

Explore the enchanting world of Marc Chagall in this two-hour session, where dreams, folklore, and memory intertwine on canvas. Discover how Chagall鈥檚 vibrant use of colour and fantastical imagery reflects his Jewish heritage, village life, and personal experiences. We鈥檒l examine key works, from I and the Village to his famous stained-glass windows, uncovering his unique blend of Cubism, Surrealism, and Symbolism. Perfect for art lovers and curious minds alike, this session offers an engaging dive into Chagall鈥檚 magical, poetic vision of the world. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Fri 06/12/2024 -
Fri 06/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 12:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019824
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢7.40

WEA Membership

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Membership Information

Duration:
12 months
Fee:
拢15

Art Appreciation: The Destruction of Art by artists, institutions, and conflicts

This course explores the destruction of art which has been going on for centuries whether through natural disasters, censorship, political ideology, war, and conflicts. Artists have been destroying their work out of jealousy or frustration to save their reputations or their legacies for generations. Contemporary artists even destroy art as part of their artistic practices, installations, or performances. Whilst activists are prepared to vandalise artworks to get their voices heard on issues they are passionate about. And governments waging wars deliberate target artworks to destroy the enemy鈥檚 culture. Are artworks destined to be destroyed whether through practice, protest, or conflict?

Course Information

Dates:
Sun 08/12/2024 -
Sun 08/12/2024
Times:
10:00am - 1:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Jolanta Jagiello
Course code:
Q00017293
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
8 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢11.10

Art Appreciation: Caravaggio, the Caravaggisti, and Baroque Art

Caravaggio鈥檚 life was as intense and significant as it was short. By the time of his untimely death at 38 years old, in 1610, he had ushered in a new aesthetic in painting, and was quickly followed by many, all over Europe. In this session, you will learn about the life and art of Caravaggio. You will also learn about Baroque art and its main features. To do so, we will not only study the works painted by Caravaggio, we will also study his followers鈥 works. The Italians Orazio and Artemisia Gentileschi, the Naples-based Spaniard Ribera, the Flemish Rubens, the Dutch Rembrandt, and the French Georges de la Tour are some of the most famous painters influenced by Caravaggio.

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 10/12/2024 -
Tue 10/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019198
How you'll learn:
Online
Status:
Waiting list
Fee range
Free to 拢11.10

Art Appreciation: Japonisme: Japanese influence in Monet, Van Gogh鈥檚 and other modern painter鈥檚 art

Explore the captivating influence of Japanese prints on modern art in the second half of the 19th century in this 3-hour session. We鈥檒l dive into how Japanese aesthetics reshaped European art in the late 19th century, inspiring artists like Van Gogh, Monet, and Whistler. Through ukiyo-e prints, minimalism, and asymmetry, Japan鈥檚 artistic elements transformed Western approaches to composition, colour, and subject matter. The session will include an illustrated lecture and a couple of group discussions, to deepen your understanding of what Japonisme was, and the ways it impacted movements such as Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and Art Nouveau. Perfect for art enthusiasts eager to trace the roots of cross-cultural exchanges that forever changed the trajectory of modern art. This course is funded by Greater London Combined Authority.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 16/12/2024 -
Mon 16/12/2024
Times:
9:30am - 12:30pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019825
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢11.10

Art Appreciation: How to Interpret Paintings

Have you ever wondered what a painting means, and how to figure out what it is about? This session will give you some keys to develop your understanding and appreciation of paintings. We will mainly focus on interpretative 台湾swag: how do we identify the type of subject matter? How do we recognise and decipher symbols? Where can we find clues? And, can we rely on our subjective interpretation? This is quite literally an 鈥渆ye-opener鈥, and should make your next visits to art galleries even more enjoyable!

Course Information

Dates:
Tue 17/12/2024 -
Tue 17/12/2024
Times:
2:00pm - 5:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019748
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
7 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢11.10

Art Appreciation: Winter in Art

Join us for an engaging lecture on the portrayal of winter in art, exploring how artists have captured the season鈥檚 stark beauty, quietude, and introspection across centuries. From medieval illuminations and Bruegel鈥檚 lively 16th-century village scenes to Monet鈥檚 serene snowscapes, winter has many inspired painters. In their works they evoke the season鈥檚 unique mood and atmosphere. This session will examine iconic winter-themed works, delving into how artists convey the season's chilly textures and muted colours, but also its reflective qualities.

Course Information

Dates:
Wed 18/12/2024 -
Wed 18/12/2024
Times:
1:00pm - 3:00pm
Duration:
1 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
Caroline Levisse
Course code:
Q00019896
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
10+ places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢7.40

Art Appreciation: Art and Faith

Are you fascinated by art and how it developed, and would like to know more? Humans have always expressed their spirituality through art, from the earliest cave drawings to contemporary installations in cathedrals. This course concentrates on how European art has depicted the Christian faith, but also looks at the art of Islam and the Indian art of Buddhism and Hinduism. Beginning with cave art around the world, we look at some of the earliest artistic expressions of humanity鈥檚 search for the beyond. Buddhist and Hindu art from the centuries before Christ is discussed, as is art from the earliest roots of Islam from the seventh century onwards.

Course Information

Dates:
Mon 06/01/2025 -
Mon 10/02/2025
Times:
11:00am - 12:30pm
Duration:
6 sessions
Location:
Online
Tutor:
David Brindley
Course code:
Q00009346
How you'll learn:
Online
Availability:
2 places remaining
Status:
Available
Fee range
Free to 拢55.50