Early modern world
Art History Courses Online & In London

During the course we will learn about the materials and techniques of printmaking including woodcut, etching, engraving and aquatint, and engage with prints by some of the most innovative printmakers of the era (Dürer, Rembrandt, Goya and Munch). We will consider prints in relation to several key themes including religion, colonialism, nationhood, and artistic practice, authorship and expression.

Explore the life, work and historical context of Raphael, the artist who is still, to this day, seen as the very epitome of Renaissance ideals. From his early life, to his work for powerful patrons, his influences and rivalries with the likes of Michelangelo, get to understand the world of High Renaissance Italy with Raphael's art and life as your guide.

An introduction art inspired by the philosophy of Neoplatonism. Come to understand how this philosophy was a driving force behind the art of some of the Italian Renaissance's most significant artists: Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo.

Learn how women in early modern Italy defied societal constraints to shape art and culture. Explore how female patrons, collectors and artists challenged gender norms, influenced the portrayal of women in visual art and developed new artistic identities. Discover how their contributions helped foster proto-feminist perspectives and redefined women’s roles in the art world.

Renaissance artists are world famous. But only a very few of them. Come and hear all about other Renaissance artists, whom, we might conclude are just as good as those like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. We will be looking at artists such as Gentile da Fabriano and Carlo Crivelli.

Between 1550 and 1750, Britain’s expanding global encounters reshaped its art and material culture. Through maps, portraits, and decorative arts, this course explores how travel, trade, and colonialism influenced artistic production – revealing stories of power, identity, and cultural exchange that continue to shape Britain’s visual legacy today.

An 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.

Spend a day at the National Gallery exploring Titian's revolutionary approach to colour. Discover how this Venetian master transformed Renaissance painting through his bold use of colorito, comparing his techniques with rivals Tintoretto, Veronese and Bassano, then explore his powerful mythological works for Philip II.

Follow 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.