European Paintings: From Leonardo to Rembrandt to Goya (edX)

Painters during this period were concerned with ideas such as the pursuit of beauty, the pleasures and pains associated with love, the demonstration of power and status, or the relationship of men and women to the divinity and to nature. In paintings from this period, we find traces of the emergence of the modern mind set, and perspective on issues such as the respective roles of women and men in the world.
This course focuses on images of paintings by the artists listed in the course syllabus. The discussions that will take place in the “course forum” will allow us to touch upon a broader range of issues.

What you'll learn:

• Learn to identify paintings by the artists covered in the course, and recognize characteristics of art of this time period.
• Learn about the variety of ways in which a work of art can be interpreted.
• Acquire the tools to develop a critical spirit and a personal point of view with regards to the history of art.
• Become familiar with the language and concepts necessary to understand the history of art and to continue studying it in the future.
• Learn to use a knowledge of art history to make sense of life and your experience in the world.