Tuesdays, April 4 – April 25, 2 – 4pm
Attributed to the Isidora Master. Roman Mummy Portrait of a Woman (detail), c. 100. The J. Paul Getty Museum, Villa Collection, Malibu, California
$220; members $198
(4 classes)
About the Class
Humans have been painting for tens of thousands of years going all the way back to the stone age. Despite this deep history, artists from the Italian Renaissance and later seem to attract more attention in books, movies, and museum exhibitions. In this four-session class, we’ll explore painting before the Renaissance, including the artists of prehistoric lands, classical Greece, ancient Rome, and medieval Europe to better understand the rich history of painting in the era before Leonardo da Vinci.
The class is online-only. More about online classes.
This course will:
- Increase your understanding of art-related concepts.
- Increase the ways you think critically about art.
- Improve your ability to communicate about art.
- Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.
Instructor
Kaelin Jewell
Jewell is a senior instructor in adult education at the Barnes. She holds a PhD in late Roman and early medieval art history from Temple University and has worked as a field archeologist. In addition to her work at the Barnes, Jewell is the art historian for an underwater archaeology project near the Sicilian town of Marzamemi.
Art in Context
Art in Context courses connect works of art to history: What was happening politically, socially, and culturally at the time a piece was made? How did these circumstances shape the artist’s formal choices?
Recent Barnes Class Testimonials
“[The] professor was highly engaging, facilitated excellent discussions, and [was] very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about teaching art history from watching her.” Course: Matisse and Picasso with Martha Lucy
“Every single second of the course was a productive, valuable, and interesting use of my time. The instructor's enthusiasm and reference to outside resources sparked a greater interest in me as a learner and resulted in me exploring even more on my own. I couldn't have enjoyed the experience more.” Course: Salvador Dalí: Surrealism and Beyond with Jonathan Wallis
“I am not an artist and prior to this course I had not thought about what an artist might be 'thinking,' as opposed to 'feeling.' I loved this course and plan to immerse myself in color theory.” Course: Visualizing Memory with Lucas Kelly
“This course is equal to or exceeds art history courses I have taken at several major universities in terms of syllabus and quality of instruction.” Course: The School of Paris with Joseph Tokumasu Field
Go Further
Soutine’s Technique: A Close Look
Instructor: Miriam Gillman