Art history taster

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Curious about art history? Join us for this taster session where we explore different ways into visual art and its histories from the ancient to the contemporary.
Choose a starting date

Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.

8 Dates Available

  • Start Date: 09 Sep 2026
    End Date: 09 Sep 2026
    Wed (Daytime): 11:00 - 12:30
    Online
    Location: Online
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: VB460
    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  • Start Date: 22 Sep 2026
    End Date: 22 Sep 2026
    Tue (Daytime): 16:15 - 17:45
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: VB531
    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  • Start Date: 20 Oct 2026
    End Date: 20 Oct 2026
    Tue (Daytime): 10:30 - 12:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: VB735
    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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  • Start Date: 25 Nov 2026
    End Date: 25 Nov 2026
    Wed (Daytime): 11:00 - 12:30
    Online
    Location: Online
    Duration: 1 session
    Course Code: VB100
    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.

Book your place
In stock
SKU
247189
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00

What is the course about?

This short course is designed as introduction to the some of the practices of art history: close-looking, visual analysis, art’s social context and its cultural impact. We start by defining what art history is and how it is useful for anyone interested in art and culture. We then sample art historical methods by interpreting artworks from the ancient to the contemporary.

You’ll be invited to participate in discussion on the artworks shared and will be welcome to ask questions the general study of art history and how City Lit’s art history programme might help progress your interests.

What will we cover?

-Defining art history and some of its cultural purposes
-Methods of art historical practice, including slow-looking, visual analysis and social context
-How to study art history at City Lit.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

- A greater understanding of the purpose and practice of art history
- Ability to look more closely at a work of art
- A greater understanding of City Lit's art history programme.

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.

For online versions of this course: you should be comfortable with/willing to use Zoom software, including camera, microphone and chat functions. This course focuses on the topic of art history and will not be giving instructions on how to use online operating systems. You can find an introduction to how to use Zoom here: Zoom help.

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.

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

You may wish to have something to write with close by.

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

Options for further study will be discussed in class.

Sarah Jaffray Tutor Website

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.