The cannon of art is described by the National Gallery as "the conventional timeline of artists who are sometimes considered as 'Old Masters' or 'Great Artists'." It goes on to say that "Today art history attempts to question these rules of 'greatest' considering issues of gender, class, and geography among others." We will establish the conventional values of the timeline but we will also discuss these other and interesting ideas. They are ideas, and whatever the thinking of our time, the art works remain valuable to our history and understanding of our past.
Course aim
This course follows the conventional timeline of artists who are some times considered as 'Old Masters' or 'Great Artists' in this way it places great artists and their works into an historic context. A good foundation for the history of art.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- You will need to be able to follow links to join our WEA live video learning platform: WEA Zoom. If you’d like to understand more about our video learning platform, Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline and http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- This course is suitable for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- By the end of the course you will have seen the conventional cannon of art works.
- By the end of the course I will have considered the current questions about different perspectives of gender, race, class and geography as appropriate.
- By the end of the course I will be able to relate in a critical as well as have knowledge of great works of art
How will I be taught?
- The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
- The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning
What kind of feedback can I expect?
- A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
- You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
What else do I need to know?
- What you need: You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. If you’d like to understand more Zoom please visit: http://bit.ly/ZoomSpec
- It would be helpful if you had access to the internet (Mobile phone, tablet or computer at home or through a library etc.)
Pre-course work, reading and information sources
- It is always good to read round your subject. E.H. Gombriche - The Story of Art, Also look at The Web Gallery of Art, via a search engine for example Google. This is a web site that has almost every artist up to the Impressionist period listed, their paintings and biographies .
What can I do next?
- Progress to another WEA course
- Progress to a course with another provider
- This course could lead to a range of job opportunities. Follow link to National Careers Service for more details https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
- You could progress to Higher Education courses. Follow link to the PEARL website for information http://pearl.open.ac.uk/
- Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next
Download full course information sheet
