Early modern world
Art History Courses Online & In London
Would you like to get to grips with the Italian Renaissance, explore the energy of 17th century London or the ‘serenity’ of 18th century Venice? Our courses on the early modern world cover the art, culture, political happenings and artist biographies of the 15th-18th centuries. Join us online, in the classroom, in the gallery or out and about in London.
Online, classroom-based and gallery-based art history courses
Many of our courses are also offered online, giving you the freedom to study from anywhere you need to be. We also offer our classes in-person at our Central London location and at many galleries and museums in and around London. Use the Location filters on this page to choose your preferred delivery method. See our guide to online learning for more information about our live online courses.
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.
- The art of collecting in the Renaissance: the Studiolo
Course start date: Fri 15 May 2026 (and 1 other date)Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Bryony Bartlett-RawlingsExplore early collecting practices of the Renaissance studiolo. See the different objects collected from illuminated books, antique coins and gems to bronze medals by Pisanello and paintings by Giotto, Bellini and Jan van Eyck. Looking at early collections including those of Piero and Lorenzo de’ Medici and Isabella d’Este, trace how objects were displayed and used in the studiolo.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - 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. 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.
Full fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00 - Art of the Northern Renaissance at the National GalleryCourse start date: Wed 3 Jun 2026 (and 1 other date)
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Elizabeth EyresDiscover the exquisite art of the Northern Renaissance through the work on display at the National Gallery, including Albrecht Dürer, Rogier van der Weyden, Jan van Eyck, Hieronymus Bosch and Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
Full fee £49.00 Senior fee £39.00 Concession £32.00 - A sense of place: Constable’s Hampstead Course start date: Mon 1 Jun 2026
Location on this date: Off Site
Tutors: Marilyn GreeneExplore Georgian and Regency Hampstead walking in the footsteps of John Constable and seeing places he painted and quotes about his thoughts and feelings on Hampstead and his art.Full fee £19.00 Senior fee £15.00 Concession £12.00
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