Introduction to art history
Day 1 looked at
what the different periods and isms were and how their styles distinguished
them. It also looked at why it can be dangerous to try to shoehorn art into a
definition. In the afternoon we went into the gallery and split into two groups
to discuss the issues raised in the morning in front of the pictures.
Day 2 looked at
artistic techniques and how paintings were made and the materials used also at
the different genres of painting. In the afternoon again we split into two
groups spending time in the conservation studio and the print and drawings
room. I am always fascinated to see conservation work in action. I’d also never
been to the Courtauld print room before and it was good to see new things and
discuss the different uses of drawings and prints.
Day 3 was the
most stimulating and looked at the disciple of art history and how different
ways of studying it have developed. This was followed by a talk looking at the
role of patronage and the art market. In the afternoon we went up to the
gallery to have a close look at Manet’s “Bar at the Folies Bergere” and then
went back to the classroom to discuss two articles we had been given in advance
which looked at the picture in different ways, one in its social context and
one purely as an object.
Day 4 looked in
detail at the role of the museum and art gallery both in collecting and
curating art and in conserving it. In the afternoon we discussed what we
thought of the Medieval and Renaissance Galleries at the V&A and the recent
rehang at Tate Britain, comparing their approaches.
This was a really
enjoyable week of study and although, as I hope you can tell from this blog, I
know quite a bit about art history already, it put things into order and gave
me more to think about.
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