Byzantine journey: medieval pilgrimage and art
Time: 14:00 - 16:00
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VB113
- Dates: 13/01/25 - 17/02/25
- Time: 14:00 - 16:00
- Taught: Mon, Daytime
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Helen Dejean
Course Code: VB113
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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.
What is the course about?
Each session will explore a particular theme pertaining to St Catherines Monastery and the Holy Mountain which defines it; beginning with an evaluation of the unique collection of over two-thousand icons preserved at Sinai and how it has been studied; we then track the development of Byzantine iconographies in response to the Crusades and the influx of western Latin pilgrims; explore issues of reception and pilgrim experience at Sinai through time; consider the transmission of ideas and imagery between medieval Europe (particularly Italy) and Eastern Orthodox spheres, through the nexus of Sinai.
We will also discuss the contemporary environmental aspects of the Monastery as a UNESCO World Heritage site, located within an ecologically sensitive landscape in relation to the local Bedouin culture and modern tourism.
This course is based on the tutor’s many art-historical research trips to St Catherine’s and expeditions into the Sinai Massif, as a result students will have access to specialised material, study resources and recommended further reading.
What will we cover?
• The history of pilgrimage to Sinai
• The treasures of the Monastery
• The environment of Mount Sinai.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Explain why the works of art St Catherine’s are important and identify some key examples
· Understand the general history of the Monastery
· Discuss the issues in relation to pilgrimage past and present.
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. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities 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. Please note: the tutor is unable to send documents via email because of copyright and data protection restrictions.
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?
Byzantine and Early Italian Art Gallery Taster Visits to the British Museum, National Gallery and Courtauld Gallery.
Helen is a professional artist, iconographer and art history lecturer specialising in Byzantine and Late Medieval Italian art. She holds a MA in each of these subjects from The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, where she is a currently reading for a PhD in Byzantine art history and works as a Short Courses Tutor and Teaching Assistant. Helen also lectures independently for The Arts Society around the UK. Previously Helen has delivered interdisciplinary courses in icon and late medieval panel painting in the UK, Italy and Sinai Peninsula and has undertaken many significant icon commissions for churches and cathedrals worldwide. Helen has also worked in the Russian art auction world, museum and adult education sectors.
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.