Brief description

Aims:

The module aims to:

• introduce students to some of the main issues and debates around the visual arts in Britain, Europe and America 1840-1900
• deal primarily with French and British art but also, in order to place these countries in a wider context, material relating to Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, Belgium and America
• examine the social context of the production of art including academies, exhibitions, training, and artists groups
• encourage students to look critically at the categorisations used in relation to nineteenth century art such as Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Symbolism and at the concept of modernity and the rise of notions of the avant-garde
• introduce key theoretical texts for class discussion.
• provide a foundation in nineteenth century art history after 1840 and introduce students to: key movements and artists; theoretical ideas; and some of the new approaches to art historical writing which have been particularly significant in relation to this period.

Objectives:
By the end of the module student be able to:

• identify the main tendencies and styles in art of the nineteenth century.
• recognise and assess different approaches to writing art history.
• develop a good knowledge of key artists and art works in the nineteenth century.
• develop expertise in writing, word processing, personal organisation and oral skills