Friday lates: Art and alchemy – from the ancient to today
Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.
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Prize open almost any alchemical tome and you’ll at once be dazzled by a magical mishmash of enigmatic and outlandish imagery. But just who were the artists creating these cryptic visions? And what were they trying to convey?
In this Friday evening talk, take a whistle-stop tour through the history of art and alchemy, from ancient Byzantine manuscripts and medieval scrolls, through early modern engravings and satirical Renaissance portrayals. We’ll examine how artists have flirted with these occulted activities, from the visionary Romanticism of Blake and Runge, to Surrealists Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, right up to Contemporary Artists such as Faith Wilding and Anish Kapoor.
What will we cover?
• Early alchemical illustrations, such as the Byzantine Codex Marcianus Graecus and the Ripley Scrolls. • Depictions of alchemy in early modern engravings, Dutch genre paintings and the Renaissance, for example by Pieter Bruegel and Johan Moreelse. • The alchemical colour theory of Goethe and the Romantic alchemy of William Blake and Philipp Otto Runge. • Alchemy in the 20th Century, from Surrealists such as Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, to the likes of Yves Klein and Joseph Beuys. • Alchemy and Contemporary Art.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Identify key artists who engaged with alchemy in their work • Describe alchemical principles that found their way into how artists work with colour. • Discuss how artists have tried to update alchemical imagery for the modern age.
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. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
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 course and will not be recorded for playback 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 buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books mentioned in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search our website for 'Friday Lates' to see a range of short courses on a variety of art historical topics.
Christopher Collier trained as an artist, before gaining an MA in Cultural Studies at Goldsmiths and a PhD in Art History and Theory from the University of Essex. He has taught at institutions including the University of Essex, Cambridge School of Art, and Winchester School of Art, as well as presenting internationally at a range of workshops and conferences, including at the ICA, London and CCA, Glasgow. His broad range of interests includes the intersections of art and the more-than-human world, along with art's relations to wider political economy and cultural theory. He is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
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/friday-lates-art-and-alchemy-from-the-ancient-to-today2489077Friday lates: Art and alchemy – from the ancient to todayhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-and-alchemy-from-the-ancient-to-today-1080.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory/Courses/Online courses228511361177188317311228511771136Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.003036382Friday lates: Art and alchemy – from the ancient to today2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/f/r/friday-lates-art-and-alchemy-from-the-ancient-to-today-1080_11.jpgInStockEveningFriOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB6712929Friday lates: Art and alchemy – from the ancient to today291929Christopher Collierfriday-lates-art-and-alchemy-from-the-ancient-to-today/vb671-2627Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.0000-Available|2026-11-13 00:00:00Prize open almost any alchemical tome and you’ll at once be dazzled by a magical mishmash of enigmatic and outlandish imagery. But just who were the artists creating these cryptic visions? And what were they trying to convey? <br><br>In this Friday evening talk, take a whistle-stop tour through the history of art and alchemy, from ancient Byzantine manuscripts and medieval scrolls, through early modern engravings and satirical Renaissance portrayals. We’ll examine how artists have flirted with these occulted activities, from the visionary Romanticism of Blake and Runge, to Surrealists Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, right up to Contemporary Artists such as Faith Wilding and Anish Kapoor.Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.• Early alchemical illustrations, such as the Byzantine Codex Marcianus Graecus and the Ripley Scrolls.<br>• Depictions of alchemy in early modern engravings, Dutch genre paintings and the Renaissance, for example by Pieter Bruegel and Johan Moreelse.<br>• The alchemical colour theory of Goethe and the Romantic alchemy of William Blake and Philipp Otto Runge.<br>• Alchemy in the 20th Century, from Surrealists such as Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, to the likes of Yves Klein and Joseph Beuys.<br>• Alchemy and Contemporary Art.• Identify key artists who engaged with alchemy in their work<br>• Describe alchemical principles that found their way into how artists work with colour.<br>• Discuss how artists have tried to update alchemical imagery for the modern age.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. <strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books mentioned in class.Search our website for 'Friday Lates' to see a range of short courses on a variety of art historical topics.Art historyArt, ideas & theoryvirtual292919VB671NONEFri13/11/2618:00 - 20:0018:0020:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineChristopher CollierBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-13T00:00:00+00:00EveningNov 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Friday lates: Art and alchemy – from the ancient to todayfriday-lates-art-and-alchemy-from-the-ancient-to-today/vb671-2627Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.0000-Available|2026-11-13 00:00:00Prize open almost any alchemical tome and you’ll at once be dazzled by a magical mishmash of enigmatic and outlandish imagery. But just who were the artists creating these cryptic visions? And what were they trying to convey? <br><br>In this Friday evening talk, take a whistle-stop tour through the history of art and alchemy, from ancient Byzantine manuscripts and medieval scrolls, through early modern engravings and satirical Renaissance portrayals. We’ll examine how artists have flirted with these occulted activities, from the visionary Romanticism of Blake and Runge, to Surrealists Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, right up to Contemporary Artists such as Faith Wilding and Anish Kapoor.Delve into a magical world of hidden secrets and bizarre symbolism as we distil the heady mix that is art and alchemy; from early manuscripts and renaissance paintings, to the surrealists and contemporary art.• Early alchemical illustrations, such as the Byzantine Codex Marcianus Graecus and the Ripley Scrolls.<br>• Depictions of alchemy in early modern engravings, Dutch genre paintings and the Renaissance, for example by Pieter Bruegel and Johan Moreelse.<br>• The alchemical colour theory of Goethe and the Romantic alchemy of William Blake and Philipp Otto Runge.<br>• Alchemy in the 20th Century, from Surrealists such as Leonora Carrington and Max Ernst, to the likes of Yves Klein and Joseph Beuys.<br>• Alchemy and Contemporary Art.• Identify key artists who engaged with alchemy in their work<br>• Describe alchemical principles that found their way into how artists work with colour.<br>• Discuss how artists have tried to update alchemical imagery for the modern age.<p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. <strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p>You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books mentioned in class.Search our website for 'Friday Lates' to see a range of short courses on a variety of art historical topics.Art historyArt, ideas & theoryconfigurable
18831136Art, ideas & theoryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/art-ideas-theory1/2/285/1177/1136/18831/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory
