Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
18th century Georgian London was both a product of the age of reason and of a celebrity-obsessed society. It was a time of great wealth in Britain when London expanded to become one of the largest cities in Europe. During the eighteenth century London became an important centre for the fine and decorative arts. Huguenot craftsmen seeking religious refuge in the metropolis brought their expertise in decorative arts including silk weaving and metalwork to London. Amongst others, the architect Robert Adam and cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale came to London to establish successful businesses and evolve new styles in design. Through artists including Hogarth, and also the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1768, British art took on greater importance.
One of the genres that thrived, reflecting the importance of celebrity and self, was the portrait, brought to new levels through the work of Reynolds and Gainsborough. New ways of representing reflected the modernity of the age, shaped both by the Enlightenment and technological innovations of the industrial revolution. At the same time responses to the ancient past, experienced through the Grand Tour, and the picturesque and romantic landscapes of Britain, evolved new styles of design and landscape painting and watercolour.
This course will explore key examples of art, design and architecture. By looking at artworks in different museums or galleries each week, the course enables you to develop a recognition of the art and culture of 18th century London. We examine the work of key artists, architects and designers placed in a cultural and social context. As well as looking at some of the major collections we also consider places specific to London’s own history.
A list of meeting points and locations will be sent within a week of the course start date.
What will we cover?
Georgian architecture and design
Hogarth and his contemporaries
Reynolds, Gainsborough and the British Portrait
Rococo
Neo-Classicism and Academic style
The start of the Romantic movement
The impact of international trade/imperialism and colonialism
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Recognise different styles and types of 18th century art and design
Describe 18th century art and design and express an informed personal response
Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of 18th century history and culture and their relationship with creative practice
Participate in discussions around 18th century art with greater confidence.
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.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course takes place offsite in galleries around London. The course will be taught with a mixture of gallery-based lecture, group discussion and interactive group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor, made available digitally on Google Classroom to support your learning on the course. You will be emailed an invitation to the Google Classroom within one week of the course start date.
There will be a 10 minute comfort break during the class session.
Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There may be entrance fees for some venues, these fees are not included in the course fee. You will be informed of these costs at least a week before the start of the course. Additional museum fees will not exceed (£12.00)
Please note we are unable to guarantee seats on gallery visits so you may have to stand and to walk between exhibits. You might like to invest in a lightweight portable seat.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The art and culture of 17th century London
'Through Venetian eyes': Canaletto in London England
The Grand Tour: antiquity, art and cultural encounters
Antique sculpture and impact on early modern sculpture
Bryony Bartlett-Rawlings gained her MA and PhD at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she specialised in early print culture. She has worked as Assistant Curator of Paintings and Drawings and Assistant Curator of Engraved Ornament at the V&A, Print Room Assistant at the Courtauld Institute and the Image Researcher for the revised edition of Taste and the Antique. She has lectured at the V&A, Courtauld Institute, and University of Buckingham, and published extensively on the graphic arts. Her co-edited volume of essays Placing Prints was published in 2025.
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.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/history-culture-and-writing/art-history/the-art-and-culture-of-18th-century-london135470The art and culture of 18th century Londonhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb514_18c_london.jpeg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/vm/Courses to do around London2285113611771889167812285117711361653<p>Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.</p> 18th century Georgian London was both a product of the age of reason and of a celebrity-obsessed society. Explore key examples of art, design and architecture on this visit-based course.653085534The art and culture of 18th century London259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb514_18c_london_10.jpegInStockDaytimeWedOff SiteAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-01-20T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2027Culture, history & humanitiesVB514259259The art and culture of 18th century London207168259Bryony Bartlett-Rawlingsthe-art-and-culture-of-18th-century-london/vb514-2627<p>Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-20 00:00:00<p>18th century Georgian London was both a product of the age of reason and of a celebrity-obsessed society. It was a time of great wealth in Britain when London expanded to become one of the largest cities in Europe. During the eighteenth century London became an important centre for the fine and decorative arts. Huguenot craftsmen seeking religious refuge in the metropolis brought their expertise in decorative arts including silk weaving and metalwork to London. Amongst others, the architect Robert Adam and cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale came to London to establish successful businesses and evolve new styles in design. Through artists including Hogarth, and also the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1768, British art took on greater importance. </p><p>One of the genres that thrived, reflecting the importance of celebrity and self, was the portrait, brought to new levels through the work of Reynolds and Gainsborough. New ways of representing reflected the modernity of the age, shaped both by the Enlightenment and technological innovations of the industrial revolution. At the same time responses to the ancient past, experienced through the Grand Tour, and the picturesque and romantic landscapes of Britain, evolved new styles of design and landscape painting and watercolour.</p><p>This course will explore key examples of art, design and architecture. By looking at artworks in different museums or galleries each week, the course enables you to develop a recognition of the art and culture of 18th century London. We examine the work of key artists, architects and designers placed in a cultural and social context. As well as looking at some of the major collections we also consider places specific to London’s own history.</p><p>A list of meeting points and locations will be sent within a week of the course start date.</p><p>Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.</p><ul><li>Georgian architecture and design</li><li>Hogarth and his contemporaries</li><li>Reynolds, Gainsborough and the British Portrait</li><li>Rococo</li><li>Neo-Classicism and Academic style</li><li>The start of the Romantic movement</li><li>The impact of international trade/imperialism and colonialism</li></ul><ul><li>Recognise different styles and types of 18th century art and design</li><li>Describe 18th century art and design and express an informed personal response</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of 18th century history and culture and their relationship with creative practice</li><li>Participate in discussions around 18th century art with greater confidence.</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>This course takes place offsite in galleries around London. The course will be taught with a mixture of gallery-based lecture, group discussion and interactive group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor, made available digitally on Google Classroom to support your learning on the course. You will be emailed an invitation to the Google Classroom within one week of the course start date.</p><p>There will be a 10 minute comfort break during the class session. </p><p>Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>There may be entrance fees for some venues, these fees are not included in the course fee. You will be informed of these costs at least a week before the start of the course. Additional museum fees will not exceed (£12.00)</p><p>Please note we are unable to guarantee seats on gallery visits so you may have to stand and to walk between exhibits. You might like to invest in a lightweight portable seat.</p><p>The art and culture of 17th century London</p><p>'Through Venetian eyes': Canaletto in London England</p><p>The Grand Tour: antiquity, art and cultural encounters</p><p>Antique sculpture and impact on early modern sculpture</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual207259168VB514NONEWed20/01/27 - 24/03/2711:00 - 13:0011:0013:009 sessions (over 10 weeks)95-10 weeksWeekdayOSOff SiteBryony Bartlett-RawlingsBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-01-20T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJan 2027Culture, history & humanities259259The art and culture of 18th century Londonthe-art-and-culture-of-18th-century-london/vb514-2627<p>Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.</p>0000-Available|2027-01-20 00:00:00<p>18th century Georgian London was both a product of the age of reason and of a celebrity-obsessed society. It was a time of great wealth in Britain when London expanded to become one of the largest cities in Europe. During the eighteenth century London became an important centre for the fine and decorative arts. Huguenot craftsmen seeking religious refuge in the metropolis brought their expertise in decorative arts including silk weaving and metalwork to London. Amongst others, the architect Robert Adam and cabinet maker Thomas Chippendale came to London to establish successful businesses and evolve new styles in design. Through artists including Hogarth, and also the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1768, British art took on greater importance. </p><p>One of the genres that thrived, reflecting the importance of celebrity and self, was the portrait, brought to new levels through the work of Reynolds and Gainsborough. New ways of representing reflected the modernity of the age, shaped both by the Enlightenment and technological innovations of the industrial revolution. At the same time responses to the ancient past, experienced through the Grand Tour, and the picturesque and romantic landscapes of Britain, evolved new styles of design and landscape painting and watercolour.</p><p>This course will explore key examples of art, design and architecture. By looking at artworks in different museums or galleries each week, the course enables you to develop a recognition of the art and culture of 18th century London. We examine the work of key artists, architects and designers placed in a cultural and social context. As well as looking at some of the major collections we also consider places specific to London’s own history.</p><p>A list of meeting points and locations will be sent within a week of the course start date.</p><p>Explore Georgian painting, sculpture, architecture, and decorative arts, and consider them within the context of the history and culture of the 18th century exploring museums, galleries and other places in London.</p><ul><li>Georgian architecture and design</li><li>Hogarth and his contemporaries</li><li>Reynolds, Gainsborough and the British Portrait</li><li>Rococo</li><li>Neo-Classicism and Academic style</li><li>The start of the Romantic movement</li><li>The impact of international trade/imperialism and colonialism</li></ul><ul><li>Recognise different styles and types of 18th century art and design</li><li>Describe 18th century art and design and express an informed personal response</li><li>Demonstrate an understanding of key aspects of 18th century history and culture and their relationship with creative practice</li><li>Participate in discussions around 18th century art with greater confidence.</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>This course takes place offsite in galleries around London. The course will be taught with a mixture of gallery-based lecture, group discussion and interactive group activities. Handouts will be provided by your tutor, made available digitally on Google Classroom to support your learning on the course. You will be emailed an invitation to the Google Classroom within one week of the course start date.</p><p>There will be a 10 minute comfort break during the class session. </p><p>Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites and stand for some time while looking at them (you may bring your own portable stool if you have one, but we cannot guarantee access to seating offsite.) If you feel you may be impacted by these environmental variations, please inform the department on humanities@citylit.ac.uk before the course begins, to discuss reasonable accommodations we can make to assist your learning in offsite.</p><p>There may be entrance fees for some venues, these fees are not included in the course fee. You will be informed of these costs at least a week before the start of the course. Additional museum fees will not exceed (£12.00)</p><p>Please note we are unable to guarantee seats on gallery visits so you may have to stand and to walk between exhibits. You might like to invest in a lightweight portable seat.</p><p>The art and culture of 17th century London</p><p>'Through Venetian eyes': Canaletto in London England</p><p>The Grand Tour: antiquity, art and cultural encounters</p><p>Antique sculpture and impact on early modern sculpture</p>Art historyEarly modern worldconfigurable
18891136Early modern worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/early-modern-world1/2/285/1177/1136/18891/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world
