Making the Renaissance at the V&A: fabrics and fabrications
Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V & A’s Renaissance Galleries.
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.
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The Italian Renaissance saw an explosion of artistic creativity based on new ways of using traditional materials. This course will take a different material theme for each of three classes which will all be taught in the Renaissance Galleries of the V &A. Using this unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance objects, we will look closely at the use of three key materials in this period, clay, wood and silk, in the making of novel art and decorative objects. We will explore how consumer demand for new types of objects sparked this innovation in creative techniques, how craftsmen responded and how manufacturing developed to fulfil the aspiration for new ways of living.
A meeting point for the session will be emailed to you at least one week before the session.
What will we cover?
• We will discuss the new ways of using the traditional materials of clay, wood and silk that came into use in the Italian Renaissance
• We will study objects in the Renaissance Galleries that demonstrate how artists and craftsmen adopted these new techniques
• We will consider the drivers for the expansion of production in the period
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Describe new techniques that were used to create art works in the Italian Renaissance
· Discuss how artists and craftsmen adopted new ways of working
· Identify some of the social drivers for the expansion of production in art and decorative object
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 in the gallery with lecture and group discussions.
Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.
Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits 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 any gallery stools.) 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 the museum space.
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. Entrance to the gallery is free (if there is a gallery fee, please state it here).
Lydia is an art historian specialising in the art and material culture of the Italian Renaissance. Lydia holds a BA in Renaissance history from the University of Warwick, and an MA in Art History from the University of Sussex. She was awarded her PhD from The Warburg Institute in 2020 for her thesis on artistic patronage in early modern Perugia. Lydia’s research interests centre on the Umbrian region of Italy and include confraternities, workshop practice, and the production of Tovaglie Perugine. She has taught at Sussex University and lectures widely on the Italian Renaissance. She is an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
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/making-the-renaissance-at-the-v-a-fabrics-and-fabrications2667234Making the Renaissance at the V&A: fabrics and fabricationshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/making-the-renaissance-at-the-v-a-fabrics-and-fabrications-1080_1.jpg9999GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Galleries, collecting & curating22851136117718921228511771136<p>Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V & A’s Renaissance Galleries.</p>002667189Making the Renaissance at the V&A: fabrics and fabrications9999https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/m/a/making-the-renaissance-at-the-v-a-fabrics-and-fabrications-1080_1_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueOff SiteAvailable courses1 to 4 weeksWeekday2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJan 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB2299999Making the Renaissance at the V&A: fabrics and fabrications796499Lydia Goodsonmaking-the-renaissance-at-the-v-a-fabrics-and-fabrications/vb229-2526<p>Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V & A’s Renaissance Galleries.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00<p>The Italian Renaissance saw an explosion of artistic creativity based on new ways of using traditional materials. This course will take a different material theme for each of three classes which will all be taught in the Renaissance Galleries of the V &A. Using this unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance objects, we will look closely at the use of three key materials in this period, clay, wood and silk, in the making of novel art and decorative objects. We will explore how consumer demand for new types of objects sparked this innovation in creative techniques, how craftsmen responded and how manufacturing developed to fulfil the aspiration for new ways of living.</p><p>A meeting point for the session will be emailed to you at least one week before the session.</p><p>Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V & A’s Renaissance Galleries.</p><p>• We will discuss the new ways of using the traditional materials of clay, wood and silk that came into use in the Italian Renaissance</p><p>• We will study objects in the Renaissance Galleries that demonstrate how artists and craftsmen adopted these new techniques</p><p>• We will consider the drivers for the expansion of production in the period</p><p>· Describe new techniques that were used to create art works in the Italian Renaissance</p><p>· Discuss how artists and craftsmen adopted new ways of working</p><p>· Identify some of the social drivers for the expansion of production in art and decorative object</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>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.</p><p>You will be taught in the gallery with lecture and group discussions.</p><p>Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.</p><p>Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits 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 any gallery stools.) 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 the museum space.</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. Entrance to the gallery is free (if there is a gallery fee, please state it here).</p><p>Focus on: Giotto</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingvirtual799964VB229NONETue13/01/26 - 27/01/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:003 sessions (over 3 weeks)31 to 4 weeksDaytimeWeekdayOSOff SiteLydia GoodsonBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-01-13T00:00:00+00:00Jan 2026Culture, history & humanities9999Making the Renaissance at the V&A: fabrics and fabricationsmaking-the-renaissance-at-the-v-a-fabrics-and-fabrications/vb229-2526<p>Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V &amp; A’s Renaissance Galleries.</p>0000-Available|2026-01-13 00:00:00<p>The Italian Renaissance saw an explosion of artistic creativity based on new ways of using traditional materials. This course will take a different material theme for each of three classes which will all be taught in the Renaissance Galleries of the V &amp;A. Using this unrivalled collection of Italian Renaissance objects, we will look closely at the use of three key materials in this period, clay, wood and silk, in the making of novel art and decorative objects. We will explore how consumer demand for new types of objects sparked this innovation in creative techniques, how craftsmen responded and how manufacturing developed to fulfil the aspiration for new ways of living.</p><p>A meeting point for the session will be emailed to you at least one week before the session.</p><p>Discover the new techniques and materials that enabled advances in artistic creativity during the Italian Renaissance, in the unrivalled collection of the V &amp; A’s Renaissance Galleries.</p><p>• We will discuss the new ways of using the traditional materials of clay, wood and silk that came into use in the Italian Renaissance</p><p>• We will study objects in the Renaissance Galleries that demonstrate how artists and craftsmen adopted these new techniques</p><p>• We will consider the drivers for the expansion of production in the period</p><p>· Describe new techniques that were used to create art works in the Italian Renaissance</p><p>· Discuss how artists and craftsmen adopted new ways of working</p><p>· Identify some of the social drivers for the expansion of production in art and decorative object</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.</p><p>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.</p><p>You will be taught in the gallery with lecture and group discussions.</p><p>Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course.</p><p>Museum/gallery-based courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between galleries), you will need to be able to walk between exhibits 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 any gallery stools.) 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 the museum space.</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. Entrance to the gallery is free (if there is a gallery fee, please state it here).</p><p>Focus on: Giotto</p>Art historyGalleries, collecting & curatingconfigurable
Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
