Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.
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.
Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks without chronology.
Art history is much more than decoding secrets and symbols, it is about critical thinking and empathy, understanding how an artwork not only reflects an artist’s interpretation of their world, but what it says to you about our world now. This course is designed to build your confidence with visual art by demystifying the myths that keep many of us from truly engaging with a work of art. It is designed for both the absolute beginner and those with some art historical knowledge who want to take their practice of art history to new depths.
We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like: How is an artwork is made? What is depicted and why? And, who gets to say what it means? The overall goal is to build visual and cultural literacy that can be applied in a variety of art contexts, from the gallery and the museum to the catalogue and the computer screen.
This course includes a visit to the National Gallery in week 9. Further information on this visit will be discussed in class.
What will we cover?
• What is art history? An introduction to its central methods • The components of an artwork: materials/processes, subject and intention • Art criticism, language and reading an artwork • The context of display and how it affects our understanding of an artwork.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Evaluate art more critically. • Demonstrate an understanding of the range of contexts that impact the viewing experience. • Participate in group discussions about art with more 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?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion. There will be homework in this course in the form of reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. There will be three high level art historical texts you will be asked to read. Some students may find the texts challenging, but students are not assessed on their comprehension of these texts. Instead, texts are used for students to explore all aspects of art historical work. Homework is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter.
You will be invited to join a Google Classroom to supplement the course where documents will be shared and stored. You will receive an invitation to join this Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to have something to write with. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Introduction to Tate Modern Ways into Islamic Art Styles in art: from medieval to modern
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
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/introduction-to-art-history135454Introduction to art historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-art-history-1080.jpg259259GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses/Courses/Top rated courses228511361177113716621228511771136Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it. <div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">Art is the expression of the artist, but more importantly, it is the reflection of a time and place, a specific culture and the people it was made for. Studying art history gives us the tools to understand what an artist/artwork is saying and why. This course will empower your looking by bringing you closer to art and the visual culture that surrounds us. <br />
During the course we will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like how an artwork is made, what is depicted and why and who gets to say what it means. <br />
We will examine how historical context affects our reading of a work, the importance or not of the artist’s intention, the relationship of art to ideas and the role of the artist in society. <br />
Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks. There will be time for you to bring up points of interest that you wish to address. <br />
<br />
This is a live online course. You will need:<br />
- Internet connection. The classes work best with Chrome.<br />
- A computer with microphone and camera is best (e.g. a PC/laptop/iMac/MacBook), or a tablet/iPad/smart phone/iPhone if you don't have a computer.<br />
- Earphones/headphones/speakers.<br />
We will contact you with joining instructions before your course starts.</div>3252667192Introduction to art history259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-art-history-1080_3.jpgInStockDaytimeMonOnlineNo longer available5-10 weeksWeekday2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB102259259Introduction to art history207168259Sarah Jaffrayintroduction-to-art-history/vb102-2526Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.0015-FullStillOpen|2026-01-12 00:00:00Art history is much more than decoding secrets and symbols, it is about critical thinking and empathy, understanding how an artwork not only reflects an artist’s interpretation of their world, but what it says to you about our world now. This course is designed to build your confidence with visual art by demystifying the myths that keep many of us from truly engaging with a work of art. It is designed for both the absolute beginner and those with some art historical knowledge who want to take their practice of art history to new depths. <br/><br/>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like: How is an artwork is made? What is depicted and why? And, who gets to say what it means? The overall goal is to build visual and cultural literacy that can be applied in a variety of art contexts, from the gallery and the museum to the catalogue and the computer screen.<br/><br/>Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks without chronology.Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.• What is art history? An introduction to its central methods<br/>• The components of an artwork: materials/processes, subject and intention<br/>• Art criticism, language and reading an artwork<br/>• The context of display and how it affects our understanding of an artwork.• Evaluate art more critically.<br/>• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of contexts that impact the viewing experience.<br/>• Participate in group discussions about art with more confidence.This course is suitable for all levels. <br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and an understanding of how to operate basics of Zoom microphone and camera.You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion. There will be homework in this course in the form reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. Homework is optional, but it is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter and be involved in all of the course activities. If you have concerns about the readings, please get in touch before the start of the course: humanities@citylit.ac.uk<br/><br/>You will be invited to join a Google Classroom to supplement the course where documents will be shared and stored. You will receive an invitation to join this Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.You might wish to have something to write with. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.Introduction to Tate Modern<br/>A history of art in 100 objects<br/>Ways into Islamic Art<br/>Focus on: iconography.Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesvirtual2720286Introduction to art history259259https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/i/n/introduction-to-art-history-1080_29.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB171259259Introduction to art history207168259Sarah Jaffrayintroduction-to-art-history/vb171-2526Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.0000-Available|2026-05-11 00:00:00Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks without chronology.<br/><br/>Art history is much more than decoding secrets and symbols, it is about critical thinking and empathy, understanding how an artwork not only reflects an artist’s interpretation of their world, but what it says to you about our world now. This course is designed to build your confidence with visual art by demystifying the myths that keep many of us from truly engaging with a work of art. It is designed for both the absolute beginner and those with some art historical knowledge who want to take their practice of art history to new depths. <br/><br/>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like: How is an artwork is made? What is depicted and why? And, who gets to say what it means? The overall goal is to build visual and cultural literacy that can be applied in a variety of art contexts, from the gallery and the museum to the catalogue and the computer screen.<br/><br/>This course includes a visit to the National Gallery in week 9. Further information on this visit will be discussed in class.Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.• What is art history? An introduction to its central methods<br/>• The components of an artwork: materials/processes, subject and intention<br/>• Art criticism, language and reading an artwork<br/>• The context of display and how it affects our understanding of an artwork.• Evaluate art more critically.<br/>• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of contexts that impact the viewing experience.<br/>• Participate in group discussions about art with more confidence.This course is suitable for all levels. <br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion. There will be homework in this course in the form of reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. There will be three high level art historical texts you will be asked to read. Some students may find the texts challenging, but students are not assessed on their comprehension of these texts. Instead, texts are used for students to explore all aspects of art historical work. Homework is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter. <br/><br/>You will be invited to join a Google Classroom to supplement the course where documents will be shared and stored. You will receive an invitation to join this Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.You might wish to have something to write with. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.<p>Introduction to Tate Modern<br/>Ways into Islamic Art<br/>Styles in art: from medieval to modern</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesvirtual207259168VB102,VB171NONEMon11/05/26 - 06/07/2613:30 - 16:0013:3016:008 sessions (over 9 weeks)85-10 weeksWeekdayKSOnline,Keeley StreetSarah JaffrayBeginners,Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNo longer available,Available courses2026-01-12T00:00:00+00:00,2026-05-11T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeJan 2026,May 2026Culture, history & humanities259259Introduction to art historyintroduction-to-art-history/vb102-2526,introduction-to-art-history/vb171-2526Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.0000-Available|2026-05-11 00:00:00Art history is much more than decoding secrets and symbols, it is about critical thinking and empathy, understanding how an artwork not only reflects an artist’s interpretation of their world, but what it says to you about our world now. This course is designed to build your confidence with visual art by demystifying the myths that keep many of us from truly engaging with a work of art. It is designed for both the absolute beginner and those with some art historical knowledge who want to take their practice of art history to new depths. <br/><br/>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like: How is an artwork is made? What is depicted and why? And, who gets to say what it means? The overall goal is to build visual and cultural literacy that can be applied in a variety of art contexts, from the gallery and the museum to the catalogue and the computer screen.<br/><br/>Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks without chronology.,Please note: The course is not an historical survey of periods and styles. The course covers a wide range of art historical ideas, concepts and critical frameworks without chronology.<br/><br/>Art history is much more than decoding secrets and symbols, it is about critical thinking and empathy, understanding how an artwork not only reflects an artist’s interpretation of their world, but what it says to you about our world now. This course is designed to build your confidence with visual art by demystifying the myths that keep many of us from truly engaging with a work of art. It is designed for both the absolute beginner and those with some art historical knowledge who want to take their practice of art history to new depths. <br/><br/>We will look at a wide range of images, time periods and cultures to explore broad questions like: How is an artwork is made? What is depicted and why? And, who gets to say what it means? The overall goal is to build visual and cultural literacy that can be applied in a variety of art contexts, from the gallery and the museum to the catalogue and the computer screen.<br/><br/>This course includes a visit to the National Gallery in week 9. Further information on this visit will be discussed in class.Are you interested in art and want to get more out of looking at art and exhibitions? Want to know what an art historian does? Develop your interpretative skills by exploring at how art is made and what social and cultural factors construct our understanding of it.• What is art history? An introduction to its central methods<br/>• The components of an artwork: materials/processes, subject and intention<br/>• Art criticism, language and reading an artwork<br/>• The context of display and how it affects our understanding of an artwork.• Evaluate art more critically.<br/>• Demonstrate an understanding of the range of contexts that impact the viewing experience.<br/>• Participate in group discussions about art with more confidence.This course is suitable for all levels. <br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and an understanding of how to operate basics of Zoom microphone and camera.,This course is suitable for all levels. <br/>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion. There will be homework in this course in the form reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. Homework is optional, but it is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter and be involved in all of the course activities. If you have concerns about the readings, please get in touch before the start of the course: humanities@citylit.ac.uk<br/><br/>You will be invited to join a Google Classroom to supplement the course where documents will be shared and stored. You will receive an invitation to join this Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.,You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations and will be invited to participate in class discussion. There will be homework in this course in the form of reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. There will be three high level art historical texts you will be asked to read. Some students may find the texts challenging, but students are not assessed on their comprehension of these texts. Instead, texts are used for students to explore all aspects of art historical work. Homework is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter. <br/><br/>You will be invited to join a Google Classroom to supplement the course where documents will be shared and stored. You will receive an invitation to join this Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.You might wish to have something to write with. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.Introduction to Tate Modern<br/>A history of art in 100 objects<br/>Ways into Islamic Art<br/>Focus on: iconography.,<p>Introduction to Tate Modern<br/>Ways into Islamic Art<br/>Styles in art: from medieval to modern</p>Art historyIntroductory & general art history coursesconfigurable
11371136Introductory & general art history courseshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/introductory-general-art-history1/2/285/1177/1136/11371/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Introductory & general art history courses
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
