Ancient Rome: art & architecture
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VB749
- Dates: 07/01/25 - 11/02/25
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Tue, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Richard Plant
Course Code: VB749
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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What is the course about?
Over the six weeks of the course, we will explore art and architecture from (approximately) half a millennium. An overview in the first week will introduce the the broad stylistic changes over the period, and consider the relationship of Roman art and architecture to the cultures which preceded it. The second week will be devoted to architecture, including the Pantheon, the most visible and impressive legacy of the Roman world, and the third to sculpture, religious and for display.
In the fourth session there will be a visit to the British Museum, where, among other things, we will discuss the materials and techniques of Roman art. In the last two sessions we will look at mosaics, paintings from Pompeii and elsewhere, and the so-called minor arts exploring the broader contexts for the creation and use of Roman art.
What will we cover?
• The main media and techniques used in Roman Art and Architecture
• The broad stylistic changes in Roman art
• The meanings and uses of Roman architecture and artefacts.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• The main media and techniques used in Roman Art and Architecture
• The broad stylistic changes in Roman art
• The meanings and uses of Roman architecture and artefacts.
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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture and discussion, accompanied by images in slides and in offsite museum spaces. Handouts will be provided for the classroom sessions.
This course takes place at City Lit, in the classroom, and two sessions will take place at the British Museum. Museum courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to any gallery stools.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in the museum space.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Art in Medieval England
The Art of Byzantium.
Richard Plant is an architectural historian and lecturer specialising in the Middle Ages with a strong interest in the modern. He studied English Literature at Cambridge before going on to do his MA and then PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art. Since then, he has specialised in the architectural history of the Middle Ages, teaching at the Courtauld as well as UCL and Queen Mary University, London. He was Deputy Academic Director at Christie’s Education and has published on English and German architecture.
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.