Examination Board: Edexcel
Why study History of Art?
Art History is one of the most relevant and influential subjects on offer in the Sixth Form. The development of visual literacy and cultural understanding of your own history and that of others is a vital stepping stone into the multi-cultural, image conscious world in which we live. In Art History, you will examine architecture and artefacts from across the globe, exploring the contextual, political and stylistic influences and impacts of key works.
This is an essay based subject and you will need to develop your skills of reading, research and analysis in conjunction with your writing skills. History of Art is a genuinely fascinating course which is inter-disciplinary by nature, combining aspects of history, art, politics, sociology, literature and languages. You do not, by any means, need to be a practising artist (as History of Art is a humanities, not practical subject), although all artists will find this course adds extra depth to their own work and development.
Course Content
This a two year course leading to a full A Level. The course begins with an Overview of Western art and an introductory Visual Analysis module, before embarking on two Themes (Identities and Nature). These thematic studies will include the examination of artworks from across the world and within over 2000 years of history. In Upper Sixth we will explore two Periods of Western Art History (the Baroque in Catholic Europe, 1597-1680 and British and French Art, 1848-1899) to provide students with in- depth knowledge and artistic analysis to pair with their broad understanding of the thematic study.
Assessment
- Paper 1: Visual Analysis and Themes (3 hours, 50%)
- Paper 2: Periods (3 hours, 50%)
Workshop & Trips
All students will get a chance to attend lectures in London as well as the annual Ways of Seeing Conference, run by the Association of Art History at the National Gallery. Students will also have the opportunity to compete in the renowned national ARTiculation Prize. This is a national competition focused on speaking, thinking and presenting on an artwork of the students choice, with the final being held at and hosted by Clare College, Cambridge and run in conjunction with the National Gallery.
There are plans for a residential trip to Florence in conjunction with the Art department to explore the blockbuster art and architecture of the Italian Renaissance.