Diploma in History of European Painting

Program Overview

This part-time course provides a comprehensive historical survey of European art and design, covering major periods and significant artists. Through lectures, seminars, and off-site visits, students develop critical analysis skills and explore themes such as practice, making, and contexts. Assessment includes visual tests, essays, and an oral exam, with the top student receiving the Purser-Griffith Scholarship.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This course of approximately forty lectures provides an historical survey of European art and design. It covers major periods of art including Romanesque and Gothic Art, the Italian Renaissance, the Baroque Period, French Impressionism, and Modernism. Significant individual artists, architects, and designers will be considered in more detail, for example, Michelangelo, Palladio, Rembrandt, Cezanne, and Le Corbusier. While presented chronologically, the course will include thematic lectures introducing the critical analysis of objects and considers such matters as practice, making, and contexts.

Outline:

In addition to the lectures, registered students attend seminars, many of which are held off-site visiting institutions such as the National Gallery of Ireland.

Assessment:

Assessment comprises visual tests, essays submitted throughout the year, and a viva voce/oral exam held in April/May.

Other:

As an introductory course, no previous experience in the study of art history is necessary for intending applicants, and it is designed as a part-time course. However, students will be required to do independent study, and full attendance of all classes is strongly advised. Diploma students have access to Trinity College Dublin library facilities.