The introduction to art history

What is the course about?

This course offers an introduction to history of Western art and will include a study of works of art from Antiquity to the present day. We will look at the history of art thematically, covering different ideas and concepts that have been used in the discipline. We will explore how art has been made, understood, and valued across different time periods, from the idealised sculptures of the ancient world to contemporary art practices.

Rather than following a purely chronological approach, the course is structured around key themes that shape the discipline: standards of beauty, the myth of the artist, formal analysis, the rise of the art market, the role of institutions, cultural heritage and repatriation, gender and representation, and the power of art criticism. Each theme is grounded in selected case studies that move through major periods in art history—including the Renaissance, Baroque, Romanticism, Impressionism, and Modernism.

Throughout the course, learners will be introduced to foundational skills in visual analysis while engaging with critical perspectives that question the canon and examine institutional power. A range of artists will be discussed, from Titian, Artemisia Gentileschi and Vincent Van Gogh to the Guerilla Girls, alongside debates on restitution, the art market, and feminist and global approaches to art history.

Whether you’re new to the subject or returning with fresh curiosity, this course invites you to see art with greater insight, awareness, and imagination

What will we cover?

- What is art history? Introduction to the key methods

- The materials used to make works of art and what they tell us

- Artistic intent and the social and cultural contexts which inform a work of art

- Art criticism and the art market

- Questions over restitution of art

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

By the end of this course you should be able to:

- Describe some of the different ways in which art historians talk about art

- Discuss how cultural and social contexts can shape how art is made, used and valued

- Identify major artists, artworks, and debates which have influenced the discipline of art history

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This course is suitable for all levels. This course includes the reading of art historical texts, which are academic in nature. This is meant to help students develop an understanding of art historical practice. These texts are required and may be challenging for some students, but we will work together with the information.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations and hand-outs. You should be able to operate basic elements of Zoom, e.g. microphone, camera and log in.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will be taught online with lecture and slide presentations, and you will be invited to participate in group discussions. There will be homework in this course in the form of reading art historical texts and art criticism and looking at artworks in-depth. Homework is highly recommended to make the most of the course subject matter. Please note: This is a live lecture and will not be recorded for reasons related to copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.

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?

Looking at paintings

A history of art in 100 objects