Piece by Piece: The Art and History of Mosaics

About the Class

Pieced together from colorful bits of stone, glass, and ceramic, mosaics are among the oldest forms of visual art. Artists from the ancient and medieval Mediterranean to the pre-Columbian cities of the Americas turned to mosaic making for its durability, practicality, and glittering, multicolor aesthetic.

In this four-session online course, we’ll explore the art and history of mosaics by examining key examples from ancient palaces, medieval sacred spaces, and museum collections worldwide. We’ll also touch on the surprising role mosaics played in the development of modern painting by considering artists like Georges Seurat, Gustav Klimt, and Henri Matisse.

The class is online-only. More about online classes.

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Barnes classes will:

• Sharpen your observational and critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to communicate about art.
• Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.

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What Our Students Say

“The instructor was not only knowledgeable but so accessible, and such an inviting presence. She provided great reading to supplement the course.” —Mary Cassatt: Art, Identity, and Independence with Larissa Bailiff

“Pierre brings the art alive with her inside stories and images and how she interacts with the students. She is always able to answer and follow up with more information at the next class.” —Exhibiting Modernism: From the Salon to the Avant-Garde with Caterina Pierre

“Alison Boyd was engaging and effective during the online instruction, and she offered well-selected background materials for further reading.” —Aaron Douglas from Harlem to Philly with Alison Boyd