World War I and the Avant-Garde

About the Class

Artists around the globe responded to the calamitous upheavals of World War I in various ways. This course will examine the visual representations of trauma, violence, disability, and grief by artists with varying degrees of proximity to the frontlines, and in a range of media including painting, collage, illustrated books, and prints. While the course focuses on the visual canon from the Russian Empire in works by Kazimir Malevich, Olga Rozanova, Natalia Goncharova, and Marc Chagall, we will also examine perspectives from other combatant nations, such as the US and Germany through works by Marsden Hartley, Käthe Kollwitz, and Otto Dix. In studying this pivotal moment in the history of art, we look to better understand and navigate our own uncertain times.

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

Barnes classes 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.

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.” Matisse and Picasso with Martha Lucy

“The instructor [was] very empathetic and knowledgeable [and] created moments of sharing across students who participated actively in discussion.” Art and Literature of the Harlem Renaissance with Michael Williamson

“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.” Visualizing Memory with Lucas Kelly

“The instructor was exceptionally well prepared and challenged us with profound questions. This was a graduate degree caliber course.” The Queer 1890s with Ty Vanover