Ways into art history: close looking

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Develop an understanding of art history by looking closely at artworks in museums and in the classroom. Through active discussion and guided activities this course builds a foundation for future art historical study.
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  • Start Date: 26 Sep 2025
    End Date: 17 Oct 2025
    Fri (Daytime): 14:00 - 16:00
    In Person
    Location: Keeley Street
    Duration: 4 sessions (over -4 weeks)
    Course Code: VB920
    Tutors:  Sarah Jaffray
    Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00
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In stock
SKU
235608
Full fee £129.00 Senior fee £103.00 Concession £84.00

What is the course about?

Looking close, careful looking, is at the core of an art historian's tool kit. We look at the materials, the forms, the textures of an artwork as much as we develop a historical context. The two things are linked. This introductory course is meant for those brand new to the area of art history. It is a way into looking at art as an art historian would, with a critical eye on visual form. To do this, we will work independently and together in discussion and focused activities.

Each week we look closely at artworks to develop art historical questions and conclusions about them. We will think about different ways of looking into artworks, including how where we see art impacts our experience of it. Through these methods you will develop a greater understanding of what art history is and what art historians do while also building a personal relationship to art interpretation.

This course is for absolute beginners. Students with some art historical experience, especially those who have already taken introduction to art history, will find this course repeats many fundamental ideas.

Please note: this is not a survey of art historical styles or time periods; it is a course focused on visual form in art; it is very broadly about visual analysis.

This four week course takes place at City Lit and in London-based museums. The first week is in the classroom at City Lit; the second week at the National Gallery; the third back in the classroom at City Lit and the final week at Tate Britain.

What will we cover?

• How to conduct visual analysis and close looking
•Spaces of sight - where we see art and how it impacts us
• Critical thinking through looking.

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

• Be more confident with visual analysis of an artwork
• Understand art as a construction of form and content
• Generate art historical, rather than 'taste-based' conclusions about art and its cultural importance.

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

This course is for absolute beginners. Students with some art historical experience, especially those who have already taken introduction to art history, will find this course repeats many fundamental ideas.

You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.

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

The course will be taught with a mixture of classroom based slide lecture, gallery-based lecture, group discussion and interactive group activities. Please come prepared to discuss and work in groups.

Two sessions of this course take place offsite in galleries around London. Offsite courses take place during public access hours. Tutors are not able to control sound levels or behaviours of visitors outside of the course group, gallery closures or fire alarms. Unless you are a wheelchair user, and have confirmed access details with us (as levels of access can vary between buildings), you will need to be able to walk between sites 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 seating offsite.) 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 offsite.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You might wish to bring a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class. You might want to invest in a portable gallery stool.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Introduction to art history
Looking at paintings
A history of art in 100 objects.

Sarah Jaffray Tutor Website

Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.

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.