Art Appreciation: Art in Churches

The majority of European art until the sixteenth century was in Churches. This lavishly illustrated course begins by looking at the earliest examples of Christian art, and then traces the rise of the Renaissance through paintings and sculpture in churches. Major artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael are at the heart of this part of the course. The disruption to art caused by the Reformation is examined, and we look at how artists coped with the sudden decline in church patronage. The effects of the Reformation and the split between Henry VIIII and the papacy is given special attention. The rise of Baroque as a counter to the Reformation is studied, and we then move on to the Victorians. There was an explosion of religious art in all its forms in nineteenth century England, led by artists such as Pugin and the Pre-Raphaelites, and textiles, stained glass, tiles, and metalwork are all considered, as is the rise in gothic art and architecture. Into the twentieth century we concentrate on art in English Cathedrals, and some of the major artists working in them such as Epstein, Sutherland and Piper. Students are encouraged to ask questions and discuss the content of the course.

of this course.