Summary

This course will allow you to develop an understanding of the relationship between society and art. You will learn art historical terms, concepts and issues while exploring the influence of cultural, social and political factors on what we see. You will also study developments in materials, techniques and processes of both art and architecture across historical periods and cultures.

The course is split into two units. The first, visual analysis and themes, has two main elements that build your skills of visual literacy, developing your knowledge and understanding of key terminology and the ability to analyse and interpret the choices made by artists, sculptors and architects in their work. The second unit focuses on two periods in the history of art from the five possibilities set by the exam board. These include the Italian Renaissance (1420-1520), the Baroque (1597-1685), the British and French Avant-Garde (1848-1899), European Modernism (1900-1939), and Contemporary American British Art (1960-2015).

Trips and visits play an important part in this course with students previously visiting Amsterdam, Barcelona and New York. History of Art is suitable for anyone interested in visual culture.

If you go to galleries, look at art and photography online or just wonder why a small black square painted onto a white canvas can be called art, then History of Art could be for you. It should be emphasised that previous knowledge really isn't important; being excited and inspired by images, however, is crucial.