Introduction to Art History: Oil Paintings

Are you fascinated by the timeless beauty of oil paintings but unsure how they came to dominate the art world? Join this class to uncover the rich history of oil painting, from its mysterious early uses in the East to its explosion across Renaissance Europe and into the modern age. You’ll learn how advances in materials and technology from handmade pigments to the invention of the tin paint tube reshaped how artists worked.

Whether you're an artist, art lover, or history enthusiast, you’ll take home a deeper appreciation of art, not just from a visual perspective but through its material and historical evolution.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this oil painting history and art appreciation course, you should be able to:

• Describe the historical development of oil painting across different regions and periods

• Identify major artists and movements that contributed to the spread of oil painting

• Recognise specific oil painting techniques and their historical significance

• Discuss how technological and industrial changes impacted oil painting practices

• Analyse artworks with a deeper material and historical understanding