Course summary

This History of Art course will allow you to explore how art and material culture has been produced and received by different communities across time and in different places. You’ll be able to focus on the social and historical context of human creativity and use art and material culture to understand the social histories that led to its making. You’ll discover how the history of art is often associated with understanding visual forms of representation, the physical form of concepts and ideas and the contexts of their display. You’ll also gain an understanding of the creative and cultural economy that is growing around the globe as the interface between culture, economics and technology develops. On this course, you’ll gain an education appreciation of a world that is increasingly dominated by images, sounds, symbols, and ideas that create new jobs, wealth, and culture. It will provide you with the critical and creative knowledge essential to understand and create meaning in this world. Additional programme highlights History of Art at the University of Leeds is taught as part of the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies. It is the only degree in a Russell Group University where art historians study alongside fine artists. It is the second oldest art history course in the United Kingdom known for pioneering work in the social history of art, feminist art history and global art histories. Studies in art history are complimented by our commitment to studying and understanding cultures of display and exhibition. Areas of specialism include:

• Modernism in the 20th Century

• African Art History

• Cultures of the Anglo-Saxon and Medieval worlds

• The materiality of Renaissance art

• Contemporary art and environment

• Cultures of Display