Introduction to colour connections: modern paintings in Paris and London

How did artist use colour to convey modern life, from the middle of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century? This introductory course focuses on some of the innovative uses of colour, compositions and subjects in avant-garde paintings created in Paris and London during a time of enormous change, within both cities. Taking a broadly chronological approach, we explore a small number of paintings to consider the similarities and differences between modern artists’ works and to consider some of the connections that were made during a period when avant-garde artists were responding to urban themes.

Learning outcomes:

• Students will recognise some of the characteristics of artists’ works featured in the course;
• Students will be able to identify some of the features of artistic movements or styles featured on the course.

Session titles:

1. Setting the scene in Paris and London
2. Painting Haussman’s Paris 
3. Entertainment in Montmartre and London 
4. Whistler, Japan and London 
5. Monet, Derain and London

All course content will be delivered online via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You will be taught largely through a series of pre-recorded talks (which may be audio and/or video), designed to help you address different aspects of the main topic. You will normally have access to a range of useful resources and suggested activities.

There will also be an element of interactive work, and the opportunity for you to engage in written form with other course participants and discuss questions set by the Course Director via the Course Forum. The Course Director will generally respond to a selection of key questions and comments on a daily basis.

Some courses may also have elements of optional live discussions via Zoom.

There are no pre-requisites for courses, unless specified, and all are open to adult learners over 18 years old. Courses are taught at approximately first-year undergraduate level.

Content will be made available on each day of the course, Monday to Friday, from 8.00am BST. Course content will normally amount to c 1.5hrs per day across the 5 days, comprising of material delivered by the Course Director and activities/reading set, which would include discussions via the course forum. You may also need to complete reading or other preparation suggested in advance of the course.

We therefore suggest that you set aside approximately 1.5 hours of study per day to complete each day’s content and activities. However, this does not need to be done in one sitting, and you have the flexibility to access content when and where you want, and to go back and review it as often as you wish. Each course runs for one week and content will remain available to access on the VLE for 2 weeks after the course has finished.

A Certificate of Participation for the course(s) will be sent electronically, upon request via email, after the end of the Summer Festival. Details will be provided on the VLE.