Focus on: Giotto
Discover the life and work of Giotto, was one of the earliest artists to be written about within his lifetime, his genius held up as the ideal by Italian painting critics for the next five centuries.
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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.
- Start Date: 22 Mar 2026End Date: 29 Mar 2026Sun (Daytime): 10:30 - 13:00OnlineFull fee £69.00 Senior fee £55.00 Concession £45.00
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What is the course about?
This course explores the life and works of one of the most important artists of the early Renaissance: Giotto. Hailed as probably the most influential artist of the entire Renaissance, said also to be equal to great artists of antiquity, Giotto was not only one of the earliest artist to be written about within his lifetime, but he would also held up as the ideal by Italian painting critics for the next five centuries.
We will analyse his major works such as the Arena Chapel and his frescos in the Bardi and Peruzzi chapels in the church of Santa Croce; discuss his relationship with his patrons; his relationship to Dante and Boccaccio and his legacy.
What will we cover?
- The life and works of Giotto
- Close analysis of key works such as his frescos for the Arena Chapel
- His legacy and influences on the Renaissance and High Renaissance.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
- Describe the life and works of Giotto
- Participate in discussions about Giotto’s key works with confidence
- Analyse the influence of Giotto on subsequent artists.
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 and hand-outs. You will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be comfortable/familiar with the use of Zoom, including microphone, chat and camera.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with slide presentations and group discussions. Please note: this is a live course and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
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.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Introduction to the Italian Renaissance
Leslie Primo has spent more than 15 years giving lectures to the general public at the National Gallery for the Information and Education departments. During this time he graduated with a degree in History of Art and an MA in Renaissance Studies from Birkbeck, University College of London. In his studies he specialised in early Medieval and Renaissance studies, including, Italian Renaissance Drawing, Art and Architecture in Europe 1250-1400 Art and Architecture in Europe 1400-1500, Medici and Patronage, Narrative Painting in the Age of Giotto, and the work of Peter Paul Rubens focusing on his paintings of the Judgement of Paris, and Greek Myth in paintings. He is also an accredited Art Society lecturer.
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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Italian Renaissance drawing: design, form and functionFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00 - Gods and heroes from Classical to Renaissance artFull fee £199.00 Senior fee £159.00 Concession £129.00
- Iconography and iconology: secrets of the old masters revealedFull fee £259.00 Senior fee £259.00 Concession £168.00
