Historical works of art can be visually and conceptually opaque without an understanding of their subject matter. Be introduced to two main areas of historical subject matter within European art: Classical myth and the Bible. Come away with a broad framework for expanding your understanding of these definitive areas of subject matter, within the visual artistic tradition of Europe.
- Hesiod, 2009, Theogany and Works and Days, Oxford University Press, ISBN-13: 978-0199538317
- Ovid, 2008, Metamorphoses, Oxford World Classics, ISBN: 9780199537372
- Powell, B, Classical Myth, Oxford University Press, ISBN: 9780197527986
- Brenton, L C, 2019, The Septuagint with Apocrypha: The Greek Old Testament in English: Third Edition, Ex Fontibus Company, ISBN-13: 978-1635488999
- Hart, D B, 2018, The New Testament a translation, Yale University Press, ISBN-13: 978-0300186093
- Regis D, 2004, The Old Testament Through 100 Masterpieces of European Art, Merrell Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-1858942612
- Regis, D, 2004, The New Testament Through 100 Masterpieces of European Art, Merrell Publishers, ISBN-13: 978-1858942629
- Art and Classical Subject Matter: The revived interest in the classical past that began with the Renaissance, had a legacy that lasted into the nineteenth century; resulting in all educated people having a background in both the myths and histories of Graeco-Roman culture. This class aims to expand your visual literacy by giving you a broad introductory understanding of the stories behind classically inspired works of art. Learn to identify specific myths and histories and gain further context for their depiction within the history of art.
- Art and the Bible: For almost two millenia the Bible was the primary source for the visual arts in Europe. Gain an overarching visual vocabulary of the Bible’s place within the visual arts. From the creation of the world in the book of Genesis to the end of all things in Revelation. We will examine current biblical criticism and archaeology to give context to both the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament and related texts. We will then explore how biblical stories have been depicted in a variety of artistic periods. By the end of this class, you will have gained an ability to more easily identify stories recounted in the biblical narratives.
By the end of this course, students should be able to:
- Gain an understanding of the historical context out of which a given story emerged and how it was reappropriated for the visual arts.
- Learn how to visually analyse works of art.
