History of Western Art
As the title suggests this module introduces the course to the student in broad terms. It will introduce artistic styles, specific artistic movements, pivotal paintings and artists. The subject matter will explain painting structure; technique, medium, style, approach and themes from cave decorations to contemporary art. It will include relevant sculptures, applied art and architecture and demonstrate how the works of art are historically and artistically connected.
The Art Appreciation Course
Author : Stephen Farthing
Introduction to the Art Appreciation Course
Art History
Earth & Rock
The First Civilisations
Entering the Modern World
Renaissance to Baroque
Rococo to Neoclassicism
Romanticism to Innovation
The School of Paris
The Gradual Revolution
Making the Modern & Contemporary
The Renaissance
Considered by many to be the greatest period of creative and intellectual achievement, the author discusses the Renaissance from its origins in 13th century humanism to the 16th century when the artistic climate in Europe changed dramatically. Focusing on the works by notable artists of the period and discussing styles and themes, the author provides an understanding of the great cultural, intellectual and social transformation that swept across Europe at that time.
Author : Andrew Graham-Dixon
The Origins of the Renaissance
Florence & the Renaissance
The Renaissance Courts & the Birth of a New Kind of Artist
The High Renaissance & its Enemies
Venice, Melting Pot of the Renaissance
The End of the Renaissance?
Seventeenth Century Art
This module discusses the artistic, religious and cultural movements of the 17th century and how these spread across the continent of Europe. The course will explain the artistic styles of the period and how technical and social advancements inspired the artists and their patrons.
Author : Dr Sheila McTighe
Baroque, Classic, Realist, ‘Anti-Mannerist’ : Artistic Styles in the 17th Century
Religion & the Visual Arts in the 17th Century
Court Culture & the Arts : Rome, Florence & Madrid
Ut Pictura Poesis : Storytelling, Passions of the Soul & Artists’ Status
Eighteenth Century Art
The author explores the developments primarily in European fine arts of the 18th century. While the focus will be on painting, other media including drawing, prints and sculpture will be included alongside aspects of landscape gardening and interior design. The module explains how war, religion, commerce and the pursuit of empire came to influence the art and culture of the time.
Author : Dr John Bonehill
Introduction
Academies of Art
Challenges to Academic Values
Exhibitions
The Market for Prints
Portraiture
Landscape I
Urban Views
Landscape II
Conclusion
Nineteenth Century Art
Here the course concentrates on 19th century painting, sculpture, graphic arts, photography, architecture and decorative arts across the western world. The 19th century is a rich period, artistically and historically from the Revolutions in France and America up to the end of the Victorian era; a period when art and artists were influenced by conflict, by industrial advancement, by travel and by the development of consumerism.
Author : Dr Carol Jacobi
Introduction
Romanticism
Realism
Symbolism
Summary
The Impressionists & Beyond
The impressionist painters of the 19th century were so influential on the future development of art that they warrant a separate module. The styles, techniques and philosophy of this major movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries will be discussed in detail, as will the artists’ avant garde lifestyles and the public’s initial reaction to what today is recognised as a hugely influential period in art.
Author : Christopher Riopelle
Setting the Scene for an Artistic Revolution
Manet
Origins of Impressionism
The New Painting
Doubts Creep In
Post-Impressionisms
Impressionism Once More
Conclusion
Art Deco & Art Nouveau
The two different and instantly recognisable 20th century styles of Art Nouveau and Art Deco had a great influence on art and design of the period. The styles were both immensely popular and were seen as revolutionary at the time. Their origins, their influences, their global reach and the politics of the time will be explained in this segment of the course.
Author : Dr Paul Atterbury
Art Nouveau & Art Deco Introduction
What is Art Nouveau?
The Origins & Sources of Art Nouveau
Naming Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau & International Exhibitions
Exotic & Colonial Influences on Art Nouveau
Promoting Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau Design & Decoration
Art Nouveau & Architecture
Art Nouveau & Art
Art Nouveau & Politics
Art Nouveau & Sex
Art Nouveau & Technology
Art Nouveau by Country
Decline of Art Nouveau
What is Art Deco?
The Origins of Art Deco
Naming Art Deco
Art Deco & International Exhibitions
Primitive Influences
Promoting Art Deco
Art Deco & Architecture
Art Deco & Art
Art Deco & Industrial Design
Art Deco & Jazz
Trains, Boats & Planes
Streamlining
Art Deco & Cinema
Art Deco by Country
Art Deco & Politics
Cubism, Abstraction, Surrealism
This module discusses important movements in Modern Art evolving at the turn of the 20th century and proliferating through much of the last century. The political turmoil and the unsettling atmosphere of industrial disputes, social upheaval and mechanised warfare are influences seen in the works of art of the day. The author will explain the trends and artistic styles of the times choosing particular works and explaining their importance, their medium and their context.
Author : Professor David Cottington
Introduction: Modern Times
Gallery Cubism: Putting Illusionism Through its Paces
Salon Cubism: Painting Modern Life
1912-14: Breakthrough to Abstraction
From Representation to Abstraction to Abstract Art
The Russian Avant-Garde: Abstract Art as Realism
Other paths to abstract art: Kandinsky and Kupka
Surrealism: The formation of the Avant-Garde
Surrealism in the 1920s: Automatism
Surrealism in the 1930s: Dream Painting
Surrealism from the 1930s on: Between Genders
Conclusion
Modern Art: Post Cubism to 1980
The period of art described as Modern Art in this module starts after Cubism and take us on a rollercoaster artistic ride to the late seventies. The author reveals the extraordinary pace of artistic progress over the decades, introduces the pivotal works of art of this era and places them in their cultural and social context.
Author : Susie Hodge
Introduction
Cubism
Vorticism
Futurism
The Russian Avant-Garde
Abstract Art
German Expressionism
French Expressionism
Austrian Expressionism
Der Blaue Reiter
The Bauhaus
Neo-Plasticism
Metaphysical Painting
Dada
Surrealism
Neue Sachlichkeit
Abstract Expressionism
Hard Edge Painting
Post-Painterly Abstraction
Nouveau Réalisme
Pop Art
Op Art
Minimalism
Conceptual Art
Neo-Expressionism
Arte Povera
Photorealism
Conclusion
Contemporary Art from 1980
The art discussed in this chapter comes from the era after Modern Art and introduces different concepts of art as it is made today, Artworks in their broadest form will be explored; new technologies, new materials and new theories about the nature of art, including film, video, computers, three-dimensional works, live elements and performances. Often at odds with the public and sometimes at odds with the critics, our author explains why these works hold an important place in the development of art in its widest sense.
Author : Anna Moszynska
Introduction
The Contested Role of Painting
Appropriation Art
Sculpture and the Public Realm
The Rise of Installation
Photography and Art
Technology: Moving Image Art
Ecology and the Body
Global Concerns
Art as Social Practice
The Art Market
Our expert in this module discusses how to some art has become a commodity and looks at the business of trading art. It will give you an overview of the international art market today, explore the different ways in which art is valued and how the market is subdivided, from paintings, drawings, prints, furniture, sculpture, silver, porcelain and more. You will learn how auction houses, art galleries and dealers work, be given an outline of the major international art markets and will discover the highest priced artists today and the reasons for their popularity.
Author: Jeremy Eckstein
Introduction
Section 1
What do we mean by art?
A brief socio-economic overview
Patronage and Legacy
Economic Disruption
Section 2
What we mean by the art market – Segmenting or Slicing up the Cake
Segmenting the art market – by sector
Segmenting the art market – by value
Why People Buy Art – a Behavioural Approach
“Trophy Art”
The Size of the Global Art Market
Segmenting the Art Market – by Geography; Global Hubs
London
New York
Paris
China
Hong Kong
Other Centres of Art Market Activity
Freeports
Overview
Section 3
Primary and Secondary Markets
The Primary Market
The Secondary Market
Section 4
The Auction Houses and the Dealers
The Auction Houses
The Dealers
Blurring the Boundaries – the Dealers
Guarantees
The Auction Houses as Dealers
The Dealers’ Response – Art Fairs
Branding
Section 5
Market Dynamics - Asymmetry of Information, Lack of Transparency
Section 6
Online Trading
Section 7
Art as an Asset Class – Investing in Art
La Peau de L’Ours
The British Railways Pension Fund
Art Funds
Attempts at “Commoditising” Art
Art Clubs
Fractional Ownership
Art Secured Lending
Section 8
Navigating the Minefield
Art Advisory Services
Provenance
Is There a Correct Price for a Work of Art?
Section 9
Art and Technology
Section 10
“Black Swan” Events
Brexit
COVID-19
Online Sales
Section 11
Conclusion – Looking to the Future
British Art from Holbein to Hirst
To complete the Art Appreciation Course we are taking a close look at the history of British Art, often seen as eccentric and at odds with the rest of Europe. This module will discuss the most significant British artists from the English reformation to the YBAs (Young British Artists), explain the structures and styles of the times and the pivotal movements placed within a historical context.
The Authors
Tudor England
The Stuarts
The Hanoverians
The Reign of Queen Victoria
The Modern Age
Contemporary Britain
Further Reading
Where to See
Angelica Boca
26-Jul-2022
End of Module 5
The tutor Stephen Farthing is excellent. His feedback has been provided promptly and helpfully. Libby, his replacement for Module 3,...
J Cullum
24-Jul-2022
An Enjoyable Experience
I have thoroughly enjoyed every module so far even those stretching which art I thought most appealing. Every module author...
Emma de Souza
19-Jul-2022
Excellent art appreciation course
I’m really enjoying The Art Institute programme. I was interested in art before starting the course and now 10 modules...
Lee Sharon Kemp
14-Jul-2022
Demanding but rewarding course
It is a demanding course which gets harder with each module but it does mean you have to keep going...
Jeremy Bettington
09-Jul-2022
Great course so far!!
I am immensely enjoying the course so far. The materials are varied and interesting and I'm learning so much. My...
Sean McGranaghan
05-Jul-2022
A well structured and balanced course
I was keen to improve my knowledge and understanding of art and tried a couple of free courses I found...
Lynn J
14-Jun-2022
Excellent
I am loving every aspect of this history of art course. Really well organised and I am learning so much....
FG
20-May-2022
Highly recommend art course
This is an excellent course and I have learnt so much. It would be good preliminary training for anyone thinking...
David
22-Apr-2022
A Really Excellent Course
Having reached and completed Module 10, I am looking forward to completing the diploma course and continuing on with further...
Ms Bury
03-Apr-2022
Am enjoyable and challenging course
The course is really comprehensive and expertly covers the complex story of the history of art. The assignments are marked...
EP
01-Apr-2022
The Art Institute's online Art Appreciation Course
I have just completed module 10 of twelve, and have thoroughly enjoyed it so far. What has been a revelation...
Pat Howarth
27-Mar-2022
Modules are interesting
Modules are interesting, informative and well constructed. Assignments are challenging to achieve a distillation of the wider reading that is...
snorth
23-Mar-2022
For anyone interested in Art History I…
For anyone interested in Art History I can highly recommend this course, the modules are easy to follow with 3...
F MAC
18-Mar-2022
An excellent course
I enrolled on the Art Appreciation Course in October 2021. Five modules in , this has been a very positive...
J Cullum
11-Mar-2022
Very interesting and informative…
Very interesting and informative modules building a coherent chronology of the development of western art. As a newcomer to this...