This course will examine visual culture borne of World War One - experiences and responses, propaganda and commemoration in paintings, prints and sculptures.
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 First World War prompted commentary from artists in a range of media, for a variety of purposes. This course will study the visual culture and its historic context, considering the artworks as statements of experience, propaganda, nationalism, gender identity and healing.
We will examine artworks including sculptures, posters and, paintings, such as Nevinson’s Paths of Glory, Jagger’s Royal Artillery Memorial and Stanley Spencer’s work at Sandham Memorial Chapel.
What will we cover?
· Propaganda prints and WW1 posters.
· Officially commissioned war paintings
· Commemorative projects, including war memorials and
· Artistic responses to the war in painting and sculpture
· Comparisons with non-British art (German, American)
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
· Discuss historic and artistic contexts for First World War art.
· Analyse the styles and formal characteristics favoured by the war artists
· Assess the benefits and failings of war art as a propaganda tool
· Evaluate war art as expressions of national identity and personal experience.
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 by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion.
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?
Study Day: Powerful Images, the Art and Artists of WW2
Dr Rachel Sanders received her MA and PhD in History of Art from University College, London. She has taught at a number of institutions and currently lectures on the history of art and design at City Lit and Oxford Brookes University. Her research interest is early twentieth-century American political paintings and cartoons. She has published a number of articles on her research specialism and is currently writing a book on New Masses magazine.
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
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This course will study the visual culture and its historic context, considering the artworks as statements of experience, propaganda, nationalism, gender identity and healing.</p><p>We will examine artworks including sculptures, posters and, paintings, such as Nevinson’s <em>Paths of Glory</em>, Jagger’s Royal Artillery Memorial and Stanley Spencer’s work at Sandham Memorial Chapel.</p><p>This course will examine visual culture borne of World War One - experiences and responses, propaganda and commemoration in paintings, prints and sculptures.</p><p>· Propaganda prints and WW1 posters.</p><p>· Officially commissioned war paintings</p><p>· Commemorative projects, including war memorials and</p><p>· Artistic responses to the war in painting and sculpture</p><p>· Comparisons with non-British art (German, American)</p><p>· Discuss historic and artistic contexts for First World War art.</p><p>· Analyse the styles and formal characteristics favoured by the war artists</p><p>· Assess the benefits and failings of war art as a propaganda tool</p><p>· Evaluate war art as expressions of national identity and personal experience.</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 by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion.</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>Study Day: Powerful Images, the Art and Artists of WW2</p><p>Art & War: Art of the Imperial War Museum</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual637951VB239NONESat10/10/2611:00 - 17:0011:0017:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekendKSKeeley StreetRachel SandersBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-10-10T00:00:00+00:00Oct 2026Culture, history & humanities7979War artists: the British art of World War Iwar-artists-the-british-art-of-world-war-i/vb239-2627<p>This course will examine visual culture borne of World War One - experiences and responses, propaganda and commemoration in paintings, prints and sculptures.</p>0000-Available|2026-10-10 00:00:00<p>The First World War prompted commentary from artists in a range of media, for a variety of purposes. This course will study the visual culture and its historic context, considering the artworks as statements of experience, propaganda, nationalism, gender identity and healing.</p><p>We will examine artworks including sculptures, posters and, paintings, such as Nevinson’s <em>Paths of Glory</em>, Jagger’s Royal Artillery Memorial and Stanley Spencer’s work at Sandham Memorial Chapel.</p><p>This course will examine visual culture borne of World War One - experiences and responses, propaganda and commemoration in paintings, prints and sculptures.</p><p>· Propaganda prints and WW1 posters.</p><p>· Officially commissioned war paintings</p><p>· Commemorative projects, including war memorials and</p><p>· Artistic responses to the war in painting and sculpture</p><p>· Comparisons with non-British art (German, American)</p><p>· Discuss historic and artistic contexts for First World War art.</p><p>· Analyse the styles and formal characteristics favoured by the war artists</p><p>· Assess the benefits and failings of war art as a propaganda tool</p><p>· Evaluate war art as expressions of national identity and personal experience.</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 by lecture with slide images and you will be invited to participate in group discussion.</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>Study Day: Powerful Images, the Art and Artists of WW2</p><p>Art &amp; War: Art of the Imperial War Museum</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
