Our course begins with an examination of what the patron in the ancient world expected of his artist, and then fasts forward to the late Middle Ages and Renaissance, north and south of the Alps, with artists such as Van Eyck, Memling and Holbein, to explore how and why the relationship between the two changed. Finally we study how the royal image of the 16C and 17C developed in paint, medal and miniature, both in Britain and in Europe, under the influence of some major artists, among them Hilliard, Van Dyck, Raphael, and Titian.
Course aim
The portrait has flourished as an art form from the ancient world to the present day and this innovative study day will explore its development through the interaction and relationship between patron and artist across the centuries
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Analyse the part played by both patron and artist in the creation of a portrait
- Appreciate how the status of the artist changed in Renaissance Europe
- Evaluate the differing purpose of a portrait through the centuries
What else do I need to know?
A notebook and pens are helpful to record personal notes and supplement the handouts provided
View full course information sheet
