Study day: Powerful images, the art and artists of WW2
Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.
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This study-day explores how artists responded to the unprecedented upheaval of the Second World War. Through painting, drawing, photography, and graphic art, artists bore witness to a global conflict that reshaped nations and lives. Their works captured the ideological battles, the physical and psychological brutality of war, and the endurance of civilians —sometimes as official records, sometimes as deeply personal responses.
First, we examine the way artists responded to fascism and totalitarian regimes. Artists faced censorship and persecution as regimes co-opted visual culture to serve ideology. Some artists chose exile and, as refugees, created works of art that expressed the challenges and uncertainties of their situation. We will study the art of artists such as the German and Austrian Expressionists, but also Max Ernst, Marc Chagall, Jacques Lipchitz, and Picasso.
A special body of works is made of the drawings and watercolours created by artists who were prisoners in camps—those who risked everything to create images as acts of resistance, identity, and survival. This will include artists who were in internment camps in France and Britain, but also the fragile and powerful images created by prisoners in concentration camps.
There will be a special focus on British artists. Some were official war artists, commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee to document varied aspects of wartime. From bombed cities to military operations and factory life, these artists produced a remarkable visual record—one that blended realism with personal interpretation, often revealing as much about morale and memory as about the events themselves. Artists included are Stanley Spencer, Evelyn Dunbar, Laura Knight, Eric Ravilious, Henry Moore and more. We will also discuss artists who were not commissioned by the government but did paint war scenes anyway, such as the communist Clive Branson or the Firemen Artists.
What will we cover?
• Biographies of artists impacted by the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and the Second World War
• Works of art that reflect different aspects of the Second World War
• Official war art created in Britain
• Artists and works of art created in Germany, France, Britain and the US.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Name and analyse a couple of works of art that are connected to the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe in the late 1930s
· Explain how the War Artists Advisory Committee worked and name some of its key artists and works of art
· Name at least one artist who created art while in a camp
· Discuss the role of art in the context of war, exile, and imprisonment
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, and 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 slide presentations and group discussions.
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.
Caroline Levisse is an art historian. She trained in Paris and Copenhagen and completed a PhD in art history in 2013. She is now based in London where she has been teaching art history for ten years for a range of lifeling learning providers. Her field of expertise is 19th and 20th century Western Art, with focus on the Nordic region.
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/study-day-powerful-images-the-art-and-artists-of-ww22928987Study day: Powerful images, the art and artists of WW2https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-powerful-images-the-art-and-artists-of-ww2-vb293-1080.jpg6969GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art22851136117718951228511771136<p>Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.</p>002928924Study day: Powerful images, the art and artists of WW26969https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/s/t/study-day-powerful-images-the-art-and-artists-of-ww2-vb293-1080_1.jpgInStockDaytimeSunKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekend2026-05-17T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allMay 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB2936969Study day: Powerful images, the art and artists of WW2554569Caroline Levissestudy-day-powerful-images-the-art-and-artists-of-ww2/vb293-2526<p>Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-17 00:00:00<p>This study-day explores how artists responded to the unprecedented upheaval of the Second World War. Through painting, drawing, photography, and graphic art, artists bore witness to a global conflict that reshaped nations and lives. Their works captured the ideological battles, the physical and psychological brutality of war, and the endurance of civilians —sometimes as official records, sometimes as deeply personal responses.</p><p>First, we examine the way artists responded to fascism and totalitarian regimes. Artists faced censorship and persecution as regimes co-opted visual culture to serve ideology. Some artists chose exile and, as refugees, created works of art that expressed the challenges and uncertainties of their situation. We will study the art of artists such as the German and Austrian Expressionists, but also Max Ernst, Marc Chagall, Jacques Lipchitz, and Picasso.</p><p>A special body of works is made of the drawings and watercolours created by artists who were prisoners in camps—those who risked everything to create images as acts of resistance, identity, and survival. This will include artists who were in internment camps in France and Britain, but also the fragile and powerful images created by prisoners in concentration camps.</p><p>There will be a special focus on British artists. Some were official war artists, commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee to document varied aspects of wartime. From bombed cities to military operations and factory life, these artists produced a remarkable visual record—one that blended realism with personal interpretation, often revealing as much about morale and memory as about the events themselves. Artists included are Stanley Spencer, Evelyn Dunbar, Laura Knight, Eric Ravilious, Henry Moore and more. We will also discuss artists who were not commissioned by the government but did paint war scenes anyway, such as the communist Clive Branson or the Firemen Artists.</p><p>Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.</p><p>• Biographies of artists impacted by the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and the Second World War</p><p>• Works of art that reflect different aspects of the Second World War</p><p>• Official war art created in Britain</p><p>• Artists and works of art created in Germany, France, Britain and the US.</p><p>· Name and analyse a couple of works of art that are connected to the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe in the late 1930s</p><p>· Explain how the War Artists Advisory Committee worked and name some of its key artists and works of art</p><p>· Name at least one artist who created art while in a camp</p><p>· Discuss the role of art in the context of war, exile, and imprisonment</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, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.</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>War Artists: the British Artists of World War I</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual556945VB293NONESun17/05/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetCaroline LevisseBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-05-17T00:00:00+00:00May 2026Culture, history & humanities6969Study day: Powerful images, the art and artists of WW2study-day-powerful-images-the-art-and-artists-of-ww2/vb293-2526<p>Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.</p>0000-Available|2026-05-17 00:00:00<p>This study-day explores how artists responded to the unprecedented upheaval of the Second World War. Through painting, drawing, photography, and graphic art, artists bore witness to a global conflict that reshaped nations and lives. Their works captured the ideological battles, the physical and psychological brutality of war, and the endurance of civilians —sometimes as official records, sometimes as deeply personal responses.</p><p>First, we examine the way artists responded to fascism and totalitarian regimes. Artists faced censorship and persecution as regimes co-opted visual culture to serve ideology. Some artists chose exile and, as refugees, created works of art that expressed the challenges and uncertainties of their situation. We will study the art of artists such as the German and Austrian Expressionists, but also Max Ernst, Marc Chagall, Jacques Lipchitz, and Picasso.</p><p>A special body of works is made of the drawings and watercolours created by artists who were prisoners in camps—those who risked everything to create images as acts of resistance, identity, and survival. This will include artists who were in internment camps in France and Britain, but also the fragile and powerful images created by prisoners in concentration camps.</p><p>There will be a special focus on British artists. Some were official war artists, commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee to document varied aspects of wartime. From bombed cities to military operations and factory life, these artists produced a remarkable visual record—one that blended realism with personal interpretation, often revealing as much about morale and memory as about the events themselves. Artists included are Stanley Spencer, Evelyn Dunbar, Laura Knight, Eric Ravilious, Henry Moore and more. We will also discuss artists who were not commissioned by the government but did paint war scenes anyway, such as the communist Clive Branson or the Firemen Artists.</p><p>Marking VE Day, this study-day explores how artists across Europe and beyond captured the Second World War. From propaganda to protest, exile to endurance, we’ll see how art made sense of destruction and victory, shaped public memory, and continues to frame how we remember this defining conflict.</p><p>• Biographies of artists impacted by the rise of fascism, totalitarianism, and the Second World War</p><p>• Works of art that reflect different aspects of the Second World War</p><p>• Official war art created in Britain</p><p>• Artists and works of art created in Germany, France, Britain and the US.</p><p>· Name and analyse a couple of works of art that are connected to the rise of fascism and totalitarianism in Europe in the late 1930s</p><p>· Explain how the War Artists Advisory Committee worked and name some of its key artists and works of art</p><p>· Name at least one artist who created art while in a camp</p><p>· Discuss the role of art in the context of war, exile, and imprisonment</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, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions.</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>War Artists: the British Artists of World War I</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
