Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era.
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After the First World War, artists responded to the massive changes wrought, in a wide variety of ways: from the transformative politics of the Surrealists, the technologically abstract art of Russia, the precise design of de Stijl and the Bauhaus, and the realism in Germany and America.
Find out how the artists of 'The Lost Generation' worked to transform a destroyed world with their creativity, passion and determined optimism.
Content guidance: this course deals directly with the trauma of World War I, which is what all of the artists we cover are reacting to. The first session of the course will present historical context by using accurate images and films clips to do with that specific war. We will also end the course by talking about fascism, specifically the Nazis who intentionally targeted many of the artists we learn about in this course.
What will we cover?
- Setting the scene: the interwar period - Dada and Surrealism - German New Objectivity - Soviet Constructivism - De Stijl and Bauhaus - American and Socialist Realism.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify and describe the work of one artist from each style of this period • Describe one way in which art responded to each political situation in selected countries between the wars • Compare and contrast the development of abstraction and realism in painting at this time.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
You might also be interested in: A history of modern art in 50 objects Modern art: movements 1900-1950.
Sarah is an art historian, educator, curator and writer based in London. Before her current position as art history tutor coordinator and programme lead at City Lit Sarah was a curator in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. For six years, she was the lead educator for the Bridget Riley Art Foundation and has also worked at Wellcome Collection exploring the connections of art, medicine and human experience. Sarah has been an art history lecturer since 2003. Her first MA was in art history, her second MA was in cultural studies and her BA (first) was in art history. Sarah's expertise is in late 19th/early 20th century French art, but is also a generalist, teaching on a variety of topics and prefers to place artworks and objects in their wider social and cultural contexts, from the European Renaissance to the contemporary, emphasising new narratives and approaches to Western Art History.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/art-in-the-1920s-and-1930s-western-art-between-the-wars145402Art in the 1920s and 1930s: Western art between the warshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb304_art_in_the_1920s_1_.jpg179179GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art22851136117718951228511771136Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era. After the First World War, artists responded to the massive changes wrought, in a wide variety of ways: from the Freudian inspired visions of the Surrealists, the geometric abstract art of Russia and de Stijl, and the realist styles in Germany and America. <br />
Find out how politics and propaganda played a part in the realist art movements in the US as well as Eastern Europe while other artists moved closer to abstraction.124.92720313Art in the 1920s and 1930s: Western art between the wars179179https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb304_art_in_the_1920s_1__10.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Some experienceApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB304179179Art in the 1920s and 1930s: Western art between the wars143116179Sarah Jaffrayart-in-the-1920s-and-1930s-western-art-between-the-wars/vb304-2526Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era.0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>After the First World War, artists responded to the massive changes wrought, in a wide variety of ways: from the transformative politics of the Surrealists, the technologically abstract art of Russia, the precise design of de Stijl and the Bauhaus, and the realism in Germany and America.<br/><br/>Find out how the artists of 'The Lost Generation' worked to transform a destroyed world with their creativity, passion and determined optimism.</p><p>Content guidance: this course deals directly with the trauma of World War I, which is what all of the artists we cover are reacting to. The first session of the course will present historical context by using accurate images and films clips to do with that specific war. We will also end the course by talking about fascism, specifically the Nazis who intentionally targeted many of the artists we learn about in this course.</p>Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era.- Setting the scene: the interwar period<br/>- Dada and Surrealism <br/>- German New Objectivity<br/>- Soviet Constructivism<br/>- De Stijl and Bauhaus<br/>- American and Socialist Realism.• Identify and describe the work of one artist from each style of this period<br/>• Describe one way in which art responded to each political situation in selected countries between the wars <br/>• Compare and contrast the development of abstraction and realism in painting at this time.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.You might also be interested in:<br/>A history of modern art in 50 objects<br/>Modern art: movements 1900-1950.Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual143179116VB304NONEFri24/04/26 - 22/05/2613:30 - 16:0013:3016:005 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSarah JaffraySome experienceAvailable courses2026-04-24T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities179179Art in the 1920s and 1930s: Western art between the warsart-in-the-1920s-and-1930s-western-art-between-the-wars/vb304-2526Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era.0000-Available|2026-04-24 00:00:00<p>After the First World War, artists responded to the massive changes wrought, in a wide variety of ways: from the transformative politics of the Surrealists, the technologically abstract art of Russia, the precise design of de Stijl and the Bauhaus, and the realism in Germany and America.<br/><br/>Find out how the artists of 'The Lost Generation' worked to transform a destroyed world with their creativity, passion and determined optimism.</p><p>Content guidance: this course deals directly with the trauma of World War I, which is what all of the artists we cover are reacting to. The first session of the course will present historical context by using accurate images and films clips to do with that specific war. We will also end the course by talking about fascism, specifically the Nazis who intentionally targeted many of the artists we learn about in this course.</p>Discover how art in Europe and America between the wars reacted to the culture of the times. Explore the experimental world of Surrealism, Constructivism, de Stijl and other political art and abstract art of the era.- Setting the scene: the interwar period<br/>- Dada and Surrealism <br/>- German New Objectivity<br/>- Soviet Constructivism<br/>- De Stijl and Bauhaus<br/>- American and Socialist Realism.• Identify and describe the work of one artist from each style of this period<br/>• Describe one way in which art responded to each political situation in selected countries between the wars <br/>• Compare and contrast the development of abstraction and realism in painting at this time.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.You will be taught by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion. There will be handouts provided by your tutor; these handouts will be available digitally via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.You might also be interested in:<br/>A history of modern art in 50 objects<br/>Modern art: movements 1900-1950.Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00