Start Date
Monday 14 July 2025, 11am - 4pm
Overview
The power of art is its ability to move us, to inspire us, to convey wonder and awe, to encourage us to consider our own place in the greater scheme of things, beyond that of our own sensibility. These provocations are most keenly felt in the Romantic paintings of the late 18th and early 19th centuries, an age when industrial and technological developments coincided with political and social revolutions. This was the age of the enlightenment, yet paintings from this period question these new understandings, they provoke us to reflect on the knowledge and ‘truths’ of not only that time, but of our own. This was an age in which artists became prophets, observing, reflecting and sharing profound revelations, communicated in painted canvases which retain the same potency and power some two centuries later. Journey with us to experience the sublime, as captured by the romantic artists of this thrilling age.
This course introduces participants to some of the most important works created by the romantic painters, but also seeks to enhance their knowledge by showing the work of lesser known artists. Similarly pre-existing knowledge will be developed by discussing the techniques employed by painters in the creation of their compositions.
This course was created for anyone who enjoys looking at paintings, no prior knowledge is required and participants from other disciplines, literature and music are particularly encouraged to reflect on how the romantic age impacted the broader arts.
Syllabus
• 11am–12am – Session 1 - From ‘Wild places’ to ‘sublime landscapes’, Richard Wilson to JMW Turner.
• 12am–1pm – Session 2 – Nightmares, horrors and the angst.
• 1pm–2pm – Lunch Break
• 2pm–3pm – Session 3 – The man made sublime, industry and man’s impact on nature.
• 3pm–4pm – Session 4 – Peder Balke and later ‘post romantic’ artists.
Please note that the ‘last date available to book’ date is only a guide. We reserve the right to close bookings earlier if courses are over- or under-subscribed. In order to avoid disappointment, please be sure enrol as soon as possible. Registrations will not be processed until the following day if received after 3pm.
Course Lecturer: Ed Williams
Ed Williams is an Art Historian who studied under Prof. Janina Ramirez at Oxford. He works at TATE Liverpool, he is a regular contributor to on-line publications, writing in the field of art history and art critique. His work involves regularly leading groups through exhibitions and giving public lectures, he previously taught undergraduate and postgraduate students at a number of Universities including the Department of Continuing Education at the University of Liverpool..
Courses fees: Full fee £70
Back to: Continuing Education