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 architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Palladian
Course start date: Sat 6 Jun 2026Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersFrom the beginnings of Renaissance architecture in Britain, through the Baroque to Palladianism - study key architects including Jones, Wren, Hawksmoor, and Burlington, looking at religious and secular buildings. Includes site visits.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £119.00 Concession £97.00 - Teatime talks: Woman and Object -Inside the world of Marisol Course start date: Tue 9 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Chantal CondronStep into the world of Marisol Escobar (1930–2016), the Venezuelan American artist, whose bold, witty sculptures blended Pop Art, Pre-Columbian traditions, and social commentary. This online talk will introduce you to the work and background of this New York-based artist who challenged gender norms and captured American society from the 1960s in her uniquely quirky style.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - Art and critical theory: rethinking 'nature' Course start date: Wed 10 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the role of critical theory within the field of art history, and learn new ways of thinking about art by focusing on how recent authors have been rethinking our understanding of nature.Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £129.00 Concession £84.00 - The Norwich School - a unique society of landscape painters Course start date: Wed 10 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresOn this course you will study the fascinating work of the 19th century Norwich School, a loose association of generations of painters from artistic families who worked in Norwich, Norfolk, one of the most important and wealthy regional capitals of the day. You will explore the beautiful landscapes produced by these artists and also discover work produced by remarkable women in the group.Full fee £79.00 Senior fee £63.00 Concession £51.00 - Introduction to Tate Britain Course start date: Thu 11 Jun 2026
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 - The world in black and red: painting in ancient Greece Course start date: Thu 11 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Simone ChisenaDelve deep in the world of Ancient Greek pottery and explore its vivid representations of gods, heroes and mythical past.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Friday lates: a culture in transition - contemporary art in China Course start date: Fri 12 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Meitao QuLearn about the art of contemporary China from the end of the Cultural Revolution to today. This introductory session explores the social, political and cultural conditions of Chinese society through the lens of art and visual culture.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £19.00 Concession £12.00 - Cutting it fine: collage in modern & contemporary art Course start date: Sun 14 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Chantal CondronImmerse yourself in an exploration of the history of collage going as far back as ancient China to international contemporary art today. This engaging study day will enhance your knowledge of the roots of this fascinating media, and illustrate how collage techniques have been pivotal to major modern and contemporary art movements, from Cubism, Dada and Surrealism to photomontage and digital art.Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - A day at the Tate Britain Course start date: Tue 16 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Chantal CondronSpend a day at Tate Britain to discover (or re-discover) a selection of works from the permanent collection. We’ll explore a range of historical to contemporary artworks to discuss how the story of art in Britain is reflected in the gallery. This course is gallery based.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Sanctuary in the city – public art by refugees and immigrants in the city Course start date: Wed 17 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneCome on a virtual tour of public art through the City of London created by Refugees and Immigrants. We will explore artworks such as the 17th century carvings on the Monument and a Victorian plaques relocated on to the post Modern Number One Poultry by economic immigrants to the country as well as looking at mainly works by 20th century artists from refugee backgrounds who were either commissioned to make art works for site specific places or their works have been bought or moved to their locations.Full fee £29.00 Senior fee £23.00 Concession £19.00 - Art and critical theory: feminism and post-colonialism Course start date: Thu 18 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Irina ChkhaidzeExplore the role of critical theory within the field of art history, and learn new ways of thinking about art by focusing on feminism, post-colonial theory and the notion of the death of the author.Full fee £149.00 Senior fee £149.00 Concession £97.00 - Friday lates: Women artists of the Renaissance - Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana Course start date: Fri 19 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Online
Tutors: Elisa StafferiniAn introduction to the life, art and career of Italian Renaissance artists Sofonisba Anguissola and Lavinia Fontana. We’ll explore notions of artistic identity and the distinct challenges faced by woman artists in amale-dominated art world.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00 - London architecture: Victorian era Course start date: Sat 20 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Rachel SandersEclecticism defines 19th-century architecture. This course will look at key styles including neo-classical, gothic revival, early modernism and those rooted in design reforms, such as the arts and crafts movement.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Study day: Titian and colour Course start date: Sun 21 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Carlo CorsatoSpend a day at the National Gallery exploring Titian's revolutionary approach to colour and his early career. Discover how this Venetian master developed his techniques alongside Bellini and Giorgione, then compare his work with rivals Tintoretto and Bassano before exploring his dramatic late mythological painting for Philip II, The Death of Actaeon.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - 'Through Venetian eyes': Canaletto in London England Course start date: Mon 22 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Keeley Street
Tutors: Bryony Bartlett-RawlingsFollow Canaletto on his journey to England and its art world between 1746 and 1755. See how Canaletto responded to different sites in London and England. Explore how the Venetian artist attracted new patronage and how contemporaries responded to his work.
Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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