107-264 Art and Revolution: 19th Century Europe

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.

This subject introduces students to the principal artists and art theorists in Europe from the beginnings of Romanticism early in the 19th century to Post-Impressionism at the end of the century. Students will be exposed to a range of different models for understanding the human figure and the countryside as subjects for painting, while tracing the progressive shift away from classical ideals of figurative painting and landscape painting in the radical innovations of Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. A particular focus of the subject will be the impact on art of political, social and technological change, such as the rise of the middle class, the development of new forms of transport, and the advent of leisure tourism. These will be analysed in the light of recent scholarship on the relationship between social class, sexual identity and the representation of landscape and the human body.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A 1500 word class paper 40% (due during the semester), and a 2500 word essay 60% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.