Money: A Global History
We all use money, many of us struggle to find enough of it, whereas a few seem to have more than they will ever be able to spend. But do we really understand what it is? This day school sets … More details …
Liberalism to Fascism: Mussolini’s Italy 1922-43
This course is fully booked. Please contact us if you would like to be placed on the waiting list for any cancellations. In this course we will be looking at the history and politics surrounding Mussolini’s fascist regime from 1922 to … More details …
The Life and Art of Edvard Munch
Edvard Munch is known throughout the world for his iconic picture ‘The Scream’, but this great artist produced art of the highest quality for some sixty years. He depicted all stages of life in a colourful, varied and expressive way, … More details …
What is a Revolution?
Join Dr Jo Edwards for an exploration of historical revolutions. What is a revolution compared to a rebellion or a revolt? What do we mean by the term, and when is it misused? Was there an ‘Age of … More details …
Reading Paintings: Great Collections
This course explores some of the great collections in art history, from the Stuart kings to the Hugh Lane Collection of impressionist paintings. Contains a case study of Evelyn Waugh – his art collection as well as his taste in … More details …
Still Life – a bigger picture
A study day examining the genre of Still Life painting. The emphasis of the day will be allegory, metaphor and narrative. We will follow the development of the Still Life from the Renaissance to the 21st Century and try to … More details …
Constable, Turner and Joseph Wright of Derby
John Constable, Joseph Wright, and J. M. W. Turner are three giants of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century British art. Each possessed special qualities in their painting that set them apart from their contemporaries. We analyse the qualities of their major works … More details …
The Tudors
The Tudor monarchs are a perennial favourite in film and popular fiction – but sometimes this distorts our understanding. This course will cover the key elements and events of each reign, discussing new scholarship and research, and discussing the local … More details …
Reading Paintings: the Restoration
The return of Charles II in 1660 changed English history, literature, and society. This course traces the changing tastes of the day, with a special focus on the links between art and social history. Contains a case study of Sir … More details …
Making Peace – Keeping Peace
It is of course simplistic to say that history repeats itself. But writing and performing two Great War centenary events for my home community (Axbridge) kept ringing bells and raising questions about our current predicament. In particular, the 2018 Remembrance … More details …
Art of Post-War Britain 1945 – 1970
In this four week course we will consider:- St Ives school: with a focus on a new interpretations of the Romantic Landscape tradition, looking at the work of artists including Peter Lanyon, Wilhelmina Barnes-Graham, Patrick Heron and Barbara Hepworth. London … More details …
Women in Ancient Rome
This day-school focuses on the women in Roman society including childhood, education, marriage and motherhood. Through contemporary art and literature, we examine their status, both social and legal and also consider a few individual women and the influence they had … More details …
Reading Paintings: Dante to Dada
Explore the links between art and literature, from Dante to Dada. Discover the stories behind famous paintings; meet Paolo and Francesca; find out which Reynolds was “the most discussed British painting of the age.” No experience necessary.
More details ...Classical Greece
What have the Greeks done for us? In many ways, classical art and architecture form the basis of modern civilisation. This course analyses ancient Greek culture, from the Trojan war to the Elgin marbles.
More details ...The Art of Spain: Faith, Love and Conflict
A brief overview of Spain’s artistic history, focusing on the paintings from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. The focus will be on Faith and Conflict but many more ideas will surface during the day. We will explore the … More details …