Painting and mosaic in the Greek and Roman world

Starting with Minoan and Mycenaean frescoes, taking in Greek vase painting, Macedonian royal tomb paintings, Hellenistic pebble mosaics, Pompeian wall painting, Roman picture mosaics and then early Christian catacomb paintings and Ravenna mosaics, you will learn about this unique and inspiring art form and its place in the classical and early Christian world.

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Key course information

Dates
27/09/11 - 06/12/11

Day(s)
Tue

Duration
11 weeks

Time
10:25 - 12:25

Fees
Full fee: £153
Senior fee: £94
Concession: £72

Venue
KS - Keeley Street

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Course code
VB179

Availability
This course has finished

This course has finished

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Still got questions?
visualarts@citylit.ac.uk or call 020 7492 2700

Course outline

What is the course about?

The course is an introduction to examples of the painted arts from Late Bronze Age Greece to the Late Antique world of Rome. We will also look at examples of mosaic from Macedonian Greece to the Late Antique Roman world, and will enjoy a brief introduction to the evidence for lost masterpieces of Greek painting.

What topics will we cover?

We will look at the colourful variety of painted arts from the Ancient Greek and Roman world. We will start by seeing Late Bronze Age frescoes from the palace walls of Minoan Crete and Mycenaean Greece. Greek vase painting will then show us the developing fascination with narrative scenes of myth and daily life from the Archaic to Classical Greek periods. Painted walls from the recently excavated tombs of the Macedonian kings will give us a glimpse of the masterpainters of the late classical world. Etruscan tomb painting will be investigated with its influences from the Greek world and local fascination with nature. Roman Pompeii has left us an extraordinary wealth of frescoed walls with illusionistic images of myth, landscape, still life and everyday scenes. The strikingly lifelike portraits preserved on Roman mummies from Egypt will reveal lost portrait painting. Roman Catacomb painting will show the adoption of pagan imagery by early Christians. Mosaic art will be investigated alongside the paintings, from the early Macedonian pebble mosaics of the 4th century BC through Roman pictorial floor mosaics, finishing with the superb Late Antique mosaics from the churches at Ravenna. As well as the vivid pieces that have survived, we will consider the evidence for the masterpieces whose fame survives in ancient literature.

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Recognise the style, period and context for the art of this culture.
- Analyse and understand the literature realting to this period.
- Use appropriate evidence and strategies for analysing this ancient imagery.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is an introduction to the subject and can be taken with no previous knowledge. You should be aware that there are often different viewpoints on these topics, and a willingness to explore alternative explanations and values is important.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions to support demonstrations, hand-outs and for health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

Please look at the rest of the course outline carefully to decide if you may benefit from support in your English and Maths skills to help you to take part fully in this class.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

Illustrated lectures, discussions, questions, readings and analysis of original texts (in translation) and a museum visit. Above all, the approach is looking informed by reading. Making your own museum visits and reading outside the course will greatly enhance your experience. This course is not an examined course and no coursework is required, although the tutor will be happy to suggest projects for study if requested.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

Limited book purchases are recommended but optional (a list will be given out in class).

Do I need to have an interview before I can enrol?

No.

What feedback will I get?

You will receive regular feedback from your tutor throughout the course, as and when appropriate. At the end of the course you and your tutor are asked to assess the progress you have made.

How will I be able to give my views on the course?

Please complete the evaluation form at the end of your course. These are monitored and help us to continually improve our courses.

How do I find out if I can get some support for my learning?

You may be interested in: education and careers advice; financial and childcare support; disability support; support for Deaf and hearing-impaired students; dyslexia support; English and maths support; counselling, and library services (supported learning centre). To find out what may be available to you, and how to apply, see page 213 of the 11/12 course guide, or visit www.citylit.ac.uk/students

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Courses on other periods of art history including ancient Egypt are offered at City Lit.

General information and advice on courses at City Lit is available from the Information and Advice Shop, open Monday to Friday 12:00 – 19:00 during term time, and Monday to Friday 12:00 – 17:00 out of term time. See the course guide for term dates and further details.

Who can I contact for further information?

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

Please email us for advice or call us during these times:

Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays - 9.00 -12.00 & 15:00-18:00

Thursdays - 9.00-12.00

Saturdays - 14.00-17.00

To enrol on a course, call 020 7831 7831.

Contact us

Visual arts

Tel: 020 7492 2700

visualarts@citylit.ac.uk

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