Ways into art history: close looking

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.