Course information

For at least six centuries, Western civilization has viewed the visual arts as the creations of named individuals. The highest artistic achievements of an age have served as an invitation to examine the character and qualities of their makers, the artists. This module will encourage students to reflect on what it means to engage with art in this way. It will examine how the image of the artist has changed over the centuries, from the sixteenth century to the present day. Themes to be explored will include: how artists portray themselves, what we mean by genius or creativity, and whether art history always needs to be structured around lifetimes, intentionality, biography and proper names.