The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.
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.
The Romanesque roughly covers the eleventh and twelfth centuries in European art and architecture. This course provides an introduction to Romanesque art and architecture by placing it within its broader social, historical and global context.
We will examine monasticism, both traditional orders (e.g. the Benedictines) and the as well as the new ones which emerged during this period, the most important of which was the Cistercians. Case studies include Canterbury Cathedral, and the abbeys of Cluny, Fontenay and Fountains. We will consider pilgrimage, especially the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella with Conques Abbey, and illuminated manuscripts like the Winchester Bible and the St. Albans Psalter. We also look at the cult of the saints with specific reference to Thomas Becket and Canterbury.
We discuss secular institutions and art including the Bayeux Tapestry, the development of heraldry and images of the occupations of the months (e.g. the Girona Creation Tapestry). We will explore the representation of women such as the Virgin Mary and key figures like Hildegard of Bingen and Eleanor of Acquitaine. Finally, the course aims to place Romanesque art in its wider global context with reference to Islamic culture, the rise of antisemitism, and the legacy of the antique.
As a coda, the rediscovery of the Romanesque in the 19th century, its revival in architecture and the collecting and creation of museums focused on this period such as the Cloisters in New York or the Museum of Catalonian art in Barcelona.
The course will cover all the main media including architecture, sculpture, stained glass, metalwork, painting and manuscript illumination. There will be 2 museum visits: the first to the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the second to the Temple Church.
What will we cover?
• Definition of the Romanesque and a discussion of key mediums and techniques • Patrons (e.g.Henry the Lion) and the evidence of artists (e.g.Master Hugo or Nicholas Verdun) • Romanesque art in relation to the Church (monasticism, pilgrimage and the pilgrimage route, the monastic scriptorium and illuminated manuscripts, newmonastic orders) • Romanesque art in relation to society: the Bayeux Tapestry, images of elites (e.g.Henry of Blois), how were peasants and the lower orders represented • Romanesque art and women: how are women represented?, iconic female images and subjects (the rise in the cult of the Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene and female saints), female patrons (e.g.Hildegard of Bingen) and the growth of female monasticism • Romanesque art in its global context: in relation to Islamic culture, the Crusades and Crusader states, the rise of antisemitism and images of Jews, trade routes and a wider world, and the legacy of antiquity • The rediscovery of the Romanesque in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and its relevance to the twentieth first century.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Be provided with an introduction to Romanesque art and its broader context • Be able to Identify key artistic developments • Analyse key buildings and works of art • Understand the imagery and iconography of Romanesque art • Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social 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.
• Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social context.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
In the classroom you will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.
Please note: Museum/gallery-based sessions 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.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Colour in medieval art Medieval and Renaissance art at the V&A Islamic art in the medieval world
Andreas Petzold was educated at Manchester University and the Courtauld Institute of Art, where he obtained a Ph.d. on the use of colour in illuminated manuscripts. He was a Curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum for eleven years where he specialised in medieval and Renaissance art. He has taught for the Open University, City University, the Institute of Continuing Education at Cambridge University, and Richmond Adult Community College (where he was a Curriculum Leader). He is the author of Romanesque Art in the Everyman Art Series (translated into four languages and specified on the BBC and Metropolitan Museum of Art websites), and has published twelve articles/book chapters on colour, stained glass, and textiles as well as contributing entries in Smarthistory. Interests include: colour (on which he is currently writing a book), ceramics, stained glass, and the application of computing to history of art.
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/romanesque-art-culture-and-society2490475Romanesque art, culture and societyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/o/romanesque-art-culture-and-society-1080.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world22851136117719041228511771136The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.002720385Romanesque art, culture and society219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/r/o/romanesque-art-culture-and-society-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB916219219Romanesque art, culture and society175142219Andreas Petzoldromanesque-art-culture-and-society/vb916-2526The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00The Romanesque roughly covers the eleventh and twelfth centuries in European art and architecture. This course provides an introduction to Romanesque art and architecture by placing it within its broader social, historical and global context. <br/><br/>We will examine monasticism, both traditional orders (e.g. the Benedictines) and the as well as the new ones which emerged during this period, the most important of which was the Cistercians. Case studies include Canterbury Cathedral, and the abbeys of Cluny, Fontenay and Fountains. We will consider pilgrimage, especially the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella with Conques Abbey, and illuminated manuscripts like the Winchester Bible and the St. Albans Psalter. We also look at the cult of the saints with specific reference to Thomas Becket and Canterbury. <br/><br/>We discuss secular institutions and art including the Bayeux Tapestry, the development of heraldry and images of the occupations of the months (e.g. the Girona Creation Tapestry). We will explore the representation of women such as the Virgin Mary and key figures like Hildegard of Bingen and Eleanor of Acquitaine. Finally, the course aims to place Romanesque art in its wider global context with reference to Islamic culture, the rise of antisemitism, and the legacy of the antique. <br/><br/>As a coda, the rediscovery of the Romanesque in the 19th century, its revival in architecture and the collecting and creation of museums focused on this period such as the Cloisters in New York or the Museum of Catalonian art in Barcelona. <br/><br/>The course will cover all the main media including architecture, sculpture, stained glass, metalwork, painting and manuscript illumination. There will be 2 museum visits: the first to the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the second to the Temple Church.The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.• Definition of the Romanesque and a discussion of key mediums and techniques<br/>• Patrons (e.g.Henry the Lion) and the evidence of artists (e.g.Master Hugo or Nicholas Verdun)<br/>• Romanesque art in relation to the Church (monasticism, pilgrimage and the pilgrimage route, the monastic scriptorium and illuminated manuscripts, newmonastic orders)<br/>• Romanesque art in relation to society: the Bayeux Tapestry, images of elites (e.g.Henry of Blois), how were peasants and the lower orders represented<br/>• Romanesque art and women: how are women represented?, iconic female images and subjects (the rise in the cult of the Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene and female saints), female patrons (e.g.Hildegard of Bingen) and the growth of female monasticism<br/>• Romanesque art in its global context: in relation to Islamic culture, the Crusades and Crusader states, the rise of antisemitism and images of Jews, trade routes and a wider world, and the legacy of antiquity<br/>• The rediscovery of the Romanesque in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and its relevance to the twentieth first century.• Be provided with an introduction to Romanesque art and its broader context<br/>• Be able to Identify key artistic developments <br/>• Analyse key buildings and works of art<br/>• Understand the imagery and iconography of Romanesque art<br/>• Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social context.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>• Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social context.In the classroom you will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.<br/><br/>Please note: Museum/gallery-based sessions 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.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>Colour in medieval art<br/>Medieval and Renaissance art at the V&A<br/>Islamic art in the medieval world</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldvirtual175219142VB916NONETue21/04/26 - 09/06/2611:00 - 13:0011:0013:008 sessions (over 8 weeks)85-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetAndreas PetzoldBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-04-21T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2026Culture, history & humanities219219Romanesque art, culture and societyromanesque-art-culture-and-society/vb916-2526The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.0000-Available|2026-04-21 00:00:00The Romanesque roughly covers the eleventh and twelfth centuries in European art and architecture. This course provides an introduction to Romanesque art and architecture by placing it within its broader social, historical and global context. <br/><br/>We will examine monasticism, both traditional orders (e.g. the Benedictines) and the as well as the new ones which emerged during this period, the most important of which was the Cistercians. Case studies include Canterbury Cathedral, and the abbeys of Cluny, Fontenay and Fountains. We will consider pilgrimage, especially the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostella with Conques Abbey, and illuminated manuscripts like the Winchester Bible and the St. Albans Psalter. We also look at the cult of the saints with specific reference to Thomas Becket and Canterbury. <br/><br/>We discuss secular institutions and art including the Bayeux Tapestry, the development of heraldry and images of the occupations of the months (e.g. the Girona Creation Tapestry). We will explore the representation of women such as the Virgin Mary and key figures like Hildegard of Bingen and Eleanor of Acquitaine. Finally, the course aims to place Romanesque art in its wider global context with reference to Islamic culture, the rise of antisemitism, and the legacy of the antique. <br/><br/>As a coda, the rediscovery of the Romanesque in the 19th century, its revival in architecture and the collecting and creation of museums focused on this period such as the Cloisters in New York or the Museum of Catalonian art in Barcelona. <br/><br/>The course will cover all the main media including architecture, sculpture, stained glass, metalwork, painting and manuscript illumination. There will be 2 museum visits: the first to the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the second to the Temple Church.The Romanesque is the first international style since antiquity, and one of the most inventive and creative periods in the history of art. The course takes a thematic approach to this fascinating period and provides an introduction to the main themes and works of art and architecture from this period; it is based on the tutor's book 'Romanesque Art.'.• Definition of the Romanesque and a discussion of key mediums and techniques<br/>• Patrons (e.g.Henry the Lion) and the evidence of artists (e.g.Master Hugo or Nicholas Verdun)<br/>• Romanesque art in relation to the Church (monasticism, pilgrimage and the pilgrimage route, the monastic scriptorium and illuminated manuscripts, newmonastic orders)<br/>• Romanesque art in relation to society: the Bayeux Tapestry, images of elites (e.g.Henry of Blois), how were peasants and the lower orders represented<br/>• Romanesque art and women: how are women represented?, iconic female images and subjects (the rise in the cult of the Virgin Mary, and Mary Magdalene and female saints), female patrons (e.g.Hildegard of Bingen) and the growth of female monasticism<br/>• Romanesque art in its global context: in relation to Islamic culture, the Crusades and Crusader states, the rise of antisemitism and images of Jews, trade routes and a wider world, and the legacy of antiquity<br/>• The rediscovery of the Romanesque in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and its relevance to the twentieth first century.• Be provided with an introduction to Romanesque art and its broader context<br/>• Be able to Identify key artistic developments <br/>• Analyse key buildings and works of art<br/>• Understand the imagery and iconography of Romanesque art<br/>• Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social context.This course is suitable for all levels.<br/><br/>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.<br/><br/>• Place examples of Romanesque art within their broader historical and social context.In the classroom you will be taught by lecture and slide presentation. Offsite, guided visits will also be part of your learning. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download via the college’s Google Classroom. You will be sent an invitation to join the Google Classroom within a week of the course start date.<br/><br/>Please note: Museum/gallery-based sessions 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.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>Colour in medieval art<br/>Medieval and Renaissance art at the V&amp;A<br/>Islamic art in the medieval world</p>Art historyAncient & medieval worldconfigurable
19041136Ancient & medieval worldhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/ancient-medieval-world1/2/285/1177/1136/19041/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Ancient & medieval world
