Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.
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In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in spiritual and mystical art, resulting in some major exhibitions devoted to artists who worked in correspondence with all things spirit and séance fuelled. The works of art produced - diagrammatic or geometric and swirling shapes and spirals in a blaze of colour, often created it was said by a ‘higher order’, not by the artist themselves. We will explore this visionary and fascinating art, which was particularly notable in early 20th-century Sweden, perhaps influenced by the 18th-century mystical writer – Emmanuel Swedenborg.
We will also study the importance of colour theory – such as that written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, but also intensely studied by women artists such as Mary Gartside and Emily Noyes Vanderpoel.
What will we cover?
• An investigation into a type of art that is often questioned as art, but which has been largely neglected. • An exploration of what the spiritual in art actually means. • An exploration of ‘mysticism’ and art and how they connect.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the spiritual/mystical in art and how to recognise certain elements of it in a painting. • Identify the work of artists who are established as having worked in this form. • Talk in an informed way about the spiritual and mystical in art.
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 with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the 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.
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.
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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/art-mysticism-in-19th-and-20th-century-europe2491594Art & mysticism in 19th and 20th century Europehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/r/art-mysticism-in-19th-and-20th-century-europe-1080.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art22851136117718951228511771136Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.002720448Art & mysticism in 19th and 20th century Europe149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/r/art-mysticism-in-19th-and-20th-century-europe-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB951149149Art & mysticism in 19th and 20th century Europe11997149Emma Rose Barberart-mysticism-in-19th-and-20th-century-europe/vb951-2526Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in spiritual and mystical art, resulting in some major exhibitions devoted to artists who worked in correspondence with all things spirit and séance fuelled. The works of art produced - diagrammatic or geometric and swirling shapes and spirals in a blaze of colour, often created it was said by a ‘higher order’, not by the artist themselves. We will explore this visionary and fascinating art, which was particularly notable in early 20th-century Sweden, perhaps influenced by the 18th-century mystical writer – Emmanuel Swedenborg. <br/><br/>We will also study the importance of colour theory – such as that written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, but also intensely studied by women artists such as Mary Gartside and Emily Noyes Vanderpoel.Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.• An investigation into a type of art that is often questioned as art, but which has been largely neglected.<br/>• An exploration of what the spiritual in art actually means.<br/>• An exploration of ‘mysticism’ and art and how they connect.• Understand the spiritual/mystical in art and how to recognise certain elements of it in a painting.<br/>• Identify the work of artists who are established as having worked in this form.<br/>• Talk in an informed way about the spiritual and mystical in art.<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 health and safety information.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.</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>Homes, houses and art in Europe: 1900-1960<br/> </p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual11914997VB951NONEWed22/04/26 - 20/05/2614:30 - 16:3014:3016:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEmma Rose BarberBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-22T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Art & mysticism in 19th and 20th century Europeart-mysticism-in-19th-and-20th-century-europe/vb951-2526Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.0000-Available|2026-04-22 00:00:00In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in spiritual and mystical art, resulting in some major exhibitions devoted to artists who worked in correspondence with all things spirit and séance fuelled. The works of art produced - diagrammatic or geometric and swirling shapes and spirals in a blaze of colour, often created it was said by a ‘higher order’, not by the artist themselves. We will explore this visionary and fascinating art, which was particularly notable in early 20th-century Sweden, perhaps influenced by the 18th-century mystical writer – Emmanuel Swedenborg. <br/><br/>We will also study the importance of colour theory – such as that written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, but also intensely studied by women artists such as Mary Gartside and Emily Noyes Vanderpoel.Can a work of art be all touchy/feely and well… spiritual and mystical? We will explore what the words spiritual and mysticism mean in relation to art produced by 19th and 20th-century artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Hilma af Klint, Georgaina Houghton, Piet Mondrian and Anna Cassell.• An investigation into a type of art that is often questioned as art, but which has been largely neglected.<br/>• An exploration of what the spiritual in art actually means.<br/>• An exploration of ‘mysticism’ and art and how they connect.• Understand the spiritual/mystical in art and how to recognise certain elements of it in a painting.<br/>• Identify the work of artists who are established as having worked in this form.<br/>• Talk in an informed way about the spiritual and mystical in art.<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 health and safety information.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.</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>Homes, houses and art in Europe: 1900-1960<br/> </p>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