Modern and Contemporary Art

Could a child really paint like Picasso? Were the Impressionists reactionaries or revolutionaries? Does art have to be beautiful to be good? These and other questions will guide a lively exploration of modern art and photography, considering the many roles it plays in our globalised culture. Different movements will be explored, with the aim of understanding what their artworks tell us about the experience of living in a rapidly changing world. Links will be made between areas such as music, fashion, politics and science, and students will be encouraged to bring their own interests to class for discussion and research. We will visit Oxford museums, The Ashmolean and Museum of Modern Art, and visit the Tate Modern in London.