Art Appreciation: Art of the 19th and 20th Centuries

With over 80 illustrations in each week’s session, this course traces the development of painting and sculpture and other art forms during the last two centuries. After looking at the background and contexts for the period we are studying, the course starts with an in depth study of Constable and Turner, tow of the favourite British artists, and goes on to look at Impressionists such as Monet and Renoir. Post-Impressionism, particularly the work of Van Gogh and Gaugin is a focus. We then consider the artistic revolutions caused by Cezanne and Picasso, and how the two world wars and industrialisation changed art forever. The rise of abstract art is examined, using such artists as Kandinsky and Mondrian as examples.The Surrealists are studied along with the diversity of Jackson Pollock and the contemporary British artists. We ask how art forms such as the cinema and photography have influenced the traditional fine arts. The impact of modern art galleries such as Tate Modern is considered, as is the importance of the art market for modern art. Students are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the content of the course.