Lunchtime lecture: From darkness to light - painting philosophy in the Italian Renaissance
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.
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This lecture introduces the philosophy ofNeoplatonism, which was central tenet of the Italian Renaissance. Neoplatonismwas not a philosophy to contemplate, but a way to live one’s life. We will explore how this philosophy was lived and painted by some of the era’s best-known artists: Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo. In our short lecture we will look at specific examples: Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's La Primavera and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling. We will look at how iconic paintings visualised the philosophy as well as how these specific artists attempted to live the philosophy themselves.
Please note: this is an art history lecture so it is not intended to be a comprehensive introduction to Neoplatonism, which is a centuries' old philosophy. It is designed to give a new perspective on the art, subjects and painting methods of key Renaissance artists.
What will we cover?
An introduction to Neoplatonism as it was relevant in 15th century Florence
How to understand the philosophical concepts under-pining the works of Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo
Artworks in focus:Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's La Primavera and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
A greater awareness of Neoplatonism's role in 15th century art making and subject matter
Begin to ask questions about the philosophical aspects of Italian Renaissance art
See how philosophy was an important part of artistic thinking
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please click here.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.
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?
Search 'Lunchtime Lectures' or 'Friday Lates' for more of our short, taster art history courses.
Sarah is an art historian, educator, curator and writer based in London. Before her current position as art history tutor coordinator and programme lead at City Lit Sarah was a curator in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. For six years, she was the lead educator for the Bridget Riley Art Foundation and has also worked at Wellcome Collection exploring the connections of art, medicine and human experience. Sarah has been an art history lecturer since 2003. Her first MA was in art history, her second MA was in cultural studies and her BA (first) was in art history. Sarah's expertise is in late 19th/early 20th century French art, but is also a generalist, teaching on a variety of topics and prefers to place artworks and objects in their wider social and cultural contexts, from the European Renaissance to the contemporary, emphasising new narratives and approaches to Western Art History.
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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https://www.citylit.ac.uk/lunchtime-lecture-from-darkness-to-light-painting-philosophy-in-the-italian-renaissance3039730Lunchtime lecture: From darkness to light - painting philosophy in the Italian Renaissancehttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/luncht_1.jpg1414GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Early modern world/Courses/Online courses228511361177188917311228511771136<p>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.</p>003039724Lunchtime lecture: From darkness to light - painting philosophy in the Italian Renaissance1414https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/l/u/luncht_1_1.jpgInStockDaytimeWedOnlineAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB7871414Lunchtime lecture: From darkness to light - painting philosophy in the Italian Renaissance11914Sarah Jaffraylunchtime-lecture-from-darkness-to-light-painting-philosophy-in-the-italian-renaissance/vb787-2526<p>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.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This lecture introduces the philosophy ofNeoplatonism, which was central tenet of the Italian Renaissance. Neoplatonismwas not a philosophy to contemplate, but a way to live one’s life. We will explore how this philosophy was lived and painted by some of the era’s best-known artists: Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo. In our short lecture we will look at specific examples: Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's <em>La Primavera</em> and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling. We will look at how iconic paintings visualised the philosophy as well as how these specific artists attempted to live the philosophy themselves.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is an art history lecture so it is not intended to be a comprehensive introduction to Neoplatonism, which is a centuries' old philosophy. It is designed to give a new perspective on the art, subjects and painting methods of key Renaissance artists.</p><p>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.</p><ul><li>An introduction to Neoplatonism as it was relevant in 15th century Florence</li><li>How to understand the philosophical concepts under-pining the works of Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo</li><li>Artworks in focus:Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's La Primavera and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling</li></ul><ul><li>A greater awareness of Neoplatonism's role in 15th century art making and subject matter</li><li>Begin to ask questions about the philosophical aspects of Italian Renaissance art</li><li>See how philosophy was an important part of artistic thinking</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account?_gl=1*74q2fv*_gcl_au*MTUyMzkwMTA5OC4xNzczMjIxODE3*_ga*OTY4MDI0MDE0LjE3NDQ4ODQ4ODM.*_ga_307DS84WTF*czE3NzMyMzg3MDAkbzMxMCRnMSR0MTc3MzIzODcyNCRqMzYkbDAkaDc1MzU4NTEwNg.." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Search 'Lunchtime Lectures' or 'Friday Lates' for more of our short, taster art history courses.</p>Art historyEarly modern worldvirtual11149VB787NONEWed06/05/2613:00 - 14:0013:0014:001 session1One-off onlyWeekdayOnlineOnlineSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-06T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeMay 2026Culture, history & humanities1414Lunchtime lecture: From darkness to light - painting philosophy in the Italian Renaissancelunchtime-lecture-from-darkness-to-light-painting-philosophy-in-the-italian-renaissance/vb787-2526<p>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.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-06 00:00:00<p>This lecture introduces the philosophy ofNeoplatonism, which was central tenet of the Italian Renaissance. Neoplatonismwas not a philosophy to contemplate, but a way to live one’s life. We will explore how this philosophy was lived and painted by some of the era’s best-known artists: Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo. In our short lecture we will look at specific examples: Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's <em>La Primavera</em> and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling. We will look at how iconic paintings visualised the philosophy as well as how these specific artists attempted to live the philosophy themselves.</p><p><strong>Please note</strong>: this is an art history lecture so it is not intended to be a comprehensive introduction to Neoplatonism, which is a centuries' old philosophy. It is designed to give a new perspective on the art, subjects and painting methods of key Renaissance artists.</p><p>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.</p><ul><li>An introduction to Neoplatonism as it was relevant in 15th century Florence</li><li>How to understand the philosophical concepts under-pining the works of Fra Angelico, Botticelli and Michelangelo</li><li>Artworks in focus:Fra Angelico's San Marco murals, Botticelli's La Primavera and Michelangelo's Sistine Ceiling</li></ul><ul><li>A greater awareness of Neoplatonism's role in 15th century art making and subject matter</li><li>Begin to ask questions about the philosophical aspects of Italian Renaissance art</li><li>See how philosophy was an important part of artistic thinking</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels and requires no previous experience or study of the subject.</p><p><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information. This course takes place on Zoom. Please be familiar with or be willing to learn how to operate elements of Zoom, specifically camera, microphone and chat functions. For more on how our online learning works, please <a href="https://help.citylit.ac.uk/hc/en-gb/articles/11273523970845-What-is-your-City-Lit-student-IT-account?_gl=1*74q2fv*_gcl_au*MTUyMzkwMTA5OC4xNzczMjIxODE3*_ga*OTY4MDI0MDE0LjE3NDQ4ODQ4ODM.*_ga_307DS84WTF*czE3NzMyMzg3MDAkbzMxMCRnMSR0MTc3MzIzODcyNCRqMzYkbDAkaDc1MzU4NTEwNg.." target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">click here</a>.</p><p>You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions.Please note: this is a live lecture course and will not be recorded for playback for reasons of copyright, digital infrastructure and data protection.</p><p>You might wish to purchase a notebook for taking notes. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list provided.</p><p>Search 'Lunchtime Lectures' or 'Friday Lates' for more of our short, taster art history courses.</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
