Introduction to the Italian Renaissance
Explore the interaction of ideas, society and visual culture in Renaissance Italy (1400–1600). Study works by renowned artists such as Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Titian, alongside lesser-known objects. Examine materials, techniques and iconography, and uncover how art expressed religious, mythological and political ideas of the time.
Choose a starting date
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.
- Start Date: 30 Sep 2025End Date: 09 Dec 2025Tue (Evening): 18:00 - 20:00In PersonLocation: Keeley StreetDuration: 11 sessions (over 11 weeks)Course Code: VB200Tutors: Elisa StafferiniFull fee £279.00 Senior fee £279.00 Concession £181.00
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What is the course about?
This course offers an in-depth exploration of Italian Renaissance art and visual culture, focusing on the interaction between artistic ideas, social structures, and political contexts from 1400 to 1600. Organised thematically, it includes close study of masterpieces by Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, and their contemporaries, alongside lesser-known objects that illuminate everyday life and cultural practices.
Learners will investigate key themes such as the origins and meaning of the Renaissance, the organisation of artistic workshops and guilds, the development and use of perspective, the revival and reinterpretation of classical antiquity, and the social and religious functions of art. The course also covers the political and symbolic dimensions of religious and mythological iconography, portraiture and identity, the role of women in Renaissance art, and architectural innovations.
By engaging with a range of case studies and visual materials, students will refine their ability to critically analyse art in relation to both its material construction and cultural meaning.
What will we cover?
• The social and political roles of art and artists in Renaissance Italy
• Key innovations such as linear perspective and the revival of classical antiquity
• Religious, mythological, and allegorical iconography and their meanings
• Portraiture, identity, and representation in Renaissance Italy
• The role and representation of women in Renaissance visual culture
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Describe the major themes, artistic techniques, and media characteristic of Italian Renaissance art and architecture
• Discuss how Renaissance artworks reflect and influence cultural, religious, and political ideas of the period
• Identify key artists, artworks, and iconographic motifs, and analyse their significance within their historical context
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. You will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with lecture, slide presentations, activities and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course. These handouts will be posted via a Google Classroom. You will be invited to join the Google Classroom within a week of your course start date.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Raphael: The Rise and Dominance of a Renaissance Prodigy, 1483-1520
Elisa Stafferini is an art historian specialising in Renaissance and early modern Italian art. She recently completed her PhD at the Warburg Institute with a thesis entitled Women in Arms: Female Warriors in Italian Art, 1500–1700. She holds a BA and an MA summa cum laude from La Sapienza Università di Roma. Elisa has held research appointments at the University of Oxford, at the Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz (KHI), and at the Scuola Normale Superiore (SNS) in Pisa. Her research interests encompass early modern visual culture, iconography and iconology, gender and politics in art, and the relationship between word and image. She has delivered lectures on Renaissance art and iconography in both Italy and the UK and currently teaches the module “Art in London before 1600” at University College London.
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.
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Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Italian Renaissance drawing: design, form and functionFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
- Iconography and iconology: secrets of the old masters revealedFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £168.00
