The Open University

About this course:

Topics addressed range from Gothic churches to modern design, Renaissance altarpieces to Dutch seventeenth-century painting, eighteenth-century London to recent installations and videos. You will also gain an understanding of the art-historical debates that have shaped approaches to this exciting subject. The module is taught using lavishly illustrated module books, alongside extensive audio, video and interactive material.

The module is organised chronologically, beginning around 1100 and extending over the period up to the present day. This long time span is broken down into three sections, each of which corresponds to one of the module books. Each book deals with prominent themes in the study of art and visual culture during the period in question. These books are supported by a variety of online materials, audio and video resources, and a module reader containing important primary and secondary sources.

Beginning with the early medieval period, the module starts in a time before the category of art existed in the way we understand it today. At this point there was no clear line between artworks and other forms of visual culture. Rather, images were produced for use, usually in religious rituals. The module sets out from these images before ‘art’ to explore defining moments in the emergence of a modern art world, in which art and visual culture are distinct categories. This involves consideration of the Renaissance, the emergence of institutions of art in the eighteenth century, and modern ideas of ‘autonomy’ in art. At each point the module reflects on the shifting definitions and practices of art and visual culture. In the process, we hope to illuminate modern categories and how they came into being.

You will gain a grounding in Renaissance, eighteenth-century and modern art. However, you will also be introduced to the art of other periods and places. Further, you will develop an understanding of how art has been defined and its relation to other types of visual culture. The module provides an insight into the diversity of art history’s subjects and approaches and looks at a wide range of media, including painting, prints, photography, installation, architecture, sculpture and landscape.

Book One - 1100 to 1600 Book Two - 1600 to 1850 Book Three - 1850 to present