Art History courses online and in London
Looking to build your confidence in discussing and interpreting art? Or are you interested in taking your established knowledge of art in new directions? Then come and join City Lit’s Art History learning community!
Our exceptional range of courses, both introductory and in-depth, are designed for all learning levels. Our programme approaches art history from a variety of perspectives including social and cultural context, art theory and philosophy, curation and collecting, general art appreciation and so much more.
Choosing the right class for you
Our courses are open to all. Our students come from all backgrounds and learning experiences, from the absolute beginner to those refining their knowledge and understanding. We aim to give you the confidence to engage meaningfully with art, whatever level you are working from. Our students use our courses for personal fulfilment as well as professional and educational development. Many of our students go on to advanced degree and certificate programmes and many are able to use their knowledge in art making and gallery work.
Learn from expert tutors
At City Lit we are proud of the expertise of our tutors who are all professional art historians working actively in museums, galleries, research and writing, universities and auction houses. As experts in the field, they are able to provide you with the support and guidance you need to develop your art historical knowledge. As teachers they provide student-focused education, helping students achieve their art historical goals, both the personal and the professional.
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- London's smaller galleries: Leighton House
Course start date: Mon 27 Mar 2023Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowA Palace of Art built for the Olympian Giant of the Victorian art world but also a place to live and work. This short course provides a fascinating exploration of Leighton’s world.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - London's hidden art and architecture, part IICourse start date: Wed 19 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowUncover a whole new side of London, from Roman times to the present day through a series of walks and visits to art galleries and historic sites.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - Islamic art in 25 objectsCourse start date: Wed 26 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Anita ChowdryDiscover important objects of Islamic Art dating across a more than a millennium in London galleries. We will study world-famous objects, discover lesser known gems, study their context and understand how they relate to one another and the wider world.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - European ceramics in the Victoria and Albert Museum: an introductionCourse start date: Thu 27 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Andreas PetzoldThe Victoria and Albert Museum has the finest and most comprehensive collection of ceramics in the world. The course will provide an introduction to the European collections discussing them from a variety of standpoints, including technique, style, imagery, function, types and designers.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Contemporary art in LondonCourse start date: Fri 28 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Chantal CondronExplore and discuss contemporary art on show in London. Each week we’ll visit 1-2 commercial galleries or a public gallery and examine specific exhibitions of contemporary art across a range of media including painting, works on paper, photography, new media and sculpture.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00 - Introduction to Tate BritainCourse start date: Fri 5 May 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Chantal CondronEach week, we'll explore a different aspect of the permanent collection at Tate Britain, looking at artworks from the 16th to the 21st centuries. This course is gallery based.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - An introduction to stained glass at the V&ACourse start date: Thu 18 May 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Andreas PetzoldStained glass has been described as the most original and important medium in the high Middle Ages. The Victoria and Albert Museum has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of stained glass in the world, spanning the twelfth century to the modern period. The course will provide an introduction to this medium and the collection of it in the Victoria and Albert Museum.Full fee £59.00 Concession £38.00 - Study trip: art highlights of LisbonCourse start date: Fri 19 May 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marie-Anne MancioJoin us to explore the art of the beautiful city of Lisbon, a magnet for artists in recent years and fast becoming gentrified. This three-day tour with an expert art historian takes you to its many artistic highlights from ancient to contemporary and includes day trips to Belem and the pretty seaside resort of Cascais. Max places: 14.Full fee £429.00 Senior fee £429.00 Concession £429.00 - London's smaller art collectionsCourse start date: Fri 3 Mar 2023 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowDiscover some of London’s fascinating smaller art collections and hidden art treasures on this gallery-based course.Full fee £169.00 Senior fee £135.00 Concession £110.00 - London's smaller galleries: Apsley HouseCourse start date: Wed 12 Jul 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowExplore the home and art collection of Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - A stroll through British art: 1500-1850Course start date: Wed 8 Mar 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresOn this informal gallery-based course you will explore and discuss the history and characteristics of British art from the 16th century to the mid-19th century. The course will take place offsite at both the National Gallery and Tate Britain.Full fee £109.00 Senior fee £87.00 Concession £71.00 - London churchesCourse start date: Tue 7 Mar 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Richard PlantLondon has many fascinating churches to explore. See them on a series of guided visits and discover beautiful stained glass, surprising interiors and architecturally important structures by notable architects.Full fee £139.00 Senior fee £111.00 Concession £90.00 - The art and culture of the VictoriansCourse start date: Tue 25 Apr 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Julie BarlowDiscover the fascinating world of the Victorians and their legacy, exploring fine art, design, architecture, and literature through gallery visits.Full fee £239.00 Senior fee £191.00 Concession £155.00 - Extended history of modern art in 50 worksCourse start date: Wed 3 May 2023
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Sarah JaffrayExplore the history of modern art through objects and artworks in London galleries. Build a greater understanding of modern art, its experiments and the cultural rebellions that mark the period.Full fee £269.00 Senior fee £215.00 Concession £175.00
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