This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.
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Adam Elsheimer (1578-1610) was a 17th century German artist, a life cut tragically short, but who is the most wonderful painter hardly spoken of today. He was a religious and mythological painter. He also painted figures in mysterious landscapes and depicted them in enigmatic, beautiful ways deploying the most subtle, intense light formations. Unusually, he painted a lot on a small-scale on copper. We will look at his life and work and consider what he saw when, like other northern immigrants such as his friend – Rubens, he went to Rome. What would he have seen there? How would his art have been nourished or changed by Roman art of the 17th century? Or, could he possibly have influenced Roman artists? He might too have anticipated the Romantic German painters such as Friederich, with his atmospheric twilight, moon-lit scenes. Come and find out more.
What will we cover?
• A case study lecture on one artist – that is, Adam Elsheimer • A general investigation of his art, with a particular focus on the image of the Flight into Egypt • A consideration of the artist in relation to his contemporaries.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Describe the work of Adam Elsheimer, drawing on the main characteristics of his painting · Discuss his life, his influences and who he might have influenced · Identify the key stylistic aspects of his work, as well as the main types of subject matter he painted.
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 basic Zoom functions like microphone, camera and chat.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.
Please note this is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
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?
Reimagining the Renaissance Renaissance art: at the National Gallery
Emma Rose Barber is an art historian who has been teaching adults for over 25 years. She specialises in the visual culture of the Middle Ages and the Italian and Northern Renaissance. She has also taught classes on British art and has designed many different courses such as Last Suppers in Florence and Bosch, Breughel and the Surrealists. She has also given lectures on Women and Art. She used to run the history of art department at the British Institute in Florence and works for many institutions such as the Open University, Morley College and the department of continuing education at the University of Oxford. Her book – 111 Churches that you Shouldn’t Miss in London - is coming out in the autumn of 2020. She has spent the last five years with a Mini A-Z looking for churches to write about, many of which can be found on her blog – https://theitinerantchurchgoer.wordpress.com/. She is also writing a Cultural History of Wayfaring and writes articles for Selvedge Magazine.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/adam-elsheimer-his-secret-art2491339Adam Elsheimer, his secret arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/d/adam-elsheimer-his-secret-art-1080_1.jpg1919GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/Online courses228511361177188917311228511771136This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.002720412Adam Elsheimer, his secret art1919https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/d/adam-elsheimer-his-secret-art-1080_1_2.jpgInStockDaytimeWedOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB9911919Adam Elsheimer, his secret art151219Emma Rose Barberadam-elsheimer-his-secret-art/vb991-2526This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.0000-Available|2026-06-03 00:00:00Adam Elsheimer (1578-1610) was a 17th century German artist, a life cut tragically short, but who is the most wonderful painter hardly spoken of today. He was a religious and mythological painter. He also painted figures in mysterious landscapes and depicted them in enigmatic, beautiful ways deploying the most subtle, intense light formations. Unusually, he painted a lot on a small-scale on copper. We will look at his life and work and consider what he saw when, like other northern immigrants such as his friend – Rubens, he went to Rome. What would he have seen there? How would his art have been nourished or changed by Roman art of the 17th century? Or, could he possibly have influenced Roman artists? He might too have anticipated the Romantic German painters such as Friederich, with his atmospheric twilight, moon-lit scenes. Come and find out more.This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.• A case study lecture on one artist – that is, Adam Elsheimer<br/>• A general investigation of his art, with a particular focus on the image of the Flight into Egypt<br/>• A consideration of the artist in relation to his contemporaries.· Describe the work of Adam Elsheimer, drawing on the main characteristics of his painting<br/>· Discuss his life, his influences and who he might have influenced<br/>· Identify the key stylistic aspects of his work, as well as the main types of subject matter he painted.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and basic Zoom functions like microphone, camera and chat.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.</p><p>Please note this is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Reimagining the Renaissance<br/>Renaissance art: at the National Gallery</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual151912VB991NONEWed03/06/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineEmma Rose BarberBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-03T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJun 2026Culture, history & humanities1919Adam Elsheimer, his secret artadam-elsheimer-his-secret-art/vb991-2526This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.0000-Available|2026-06-03 00:00:00Adam Elsheimer (1578-1610) was a 17th century German artist, a life cut tragically short, but who is the most wonderful painter hardly spoken of today. He was a religious and mythological painter. He also painted figures in mysterious landscapes and depicted them in enigmatic, beautiful ways deploying the most subtle, intense light formations. Unusually, he painted a lot on a small-scale on copper. We will look at his life and work and consider what he saw when, like other northern immigrants such as his friend – Rubens, he went to Rome. What would he have seen there? How would his art have been nourished or changed by Roman art of the 17th century? Or, could he possibly have influenced Roman artists? He might too have anticipated the Romantic German painters such as Friederich, with his atmospheric twilight, moon-lit scenes. Come and find out more.This is about a German 17th-century painter who deserves to be better known. In fact, we might see him as the equivalent to Caravaggio for Germany. We shall also study him in relation to his contemporaries such as Rubens, Lorrain and Poussin. A consideration of new scientific endeavours, such as how light works will feature to try and explain the way in which he painted.• A case study lecture on one artist – that is, Adam Elsheimer<br/>• A general investigation of his art, with a particular focus on the image of the Flight into Egypt<br/>• A consideration of the artist in relation to his contemporaries.· Describe the work of Adam Elsheimer, drawing on the main characteristics of his painting<br/>· Discuss his life, his influences and who he might have influenced<br/>· Identify the key stylistic aspects of his work, as well as the main types of subject matter he painted.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and basic Zoom functions like microphone, camera and chat.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.</p><p>Please note this is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.<p>Reimagining the Renaissance<br/>Renaissance art: at the National Gallery</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
