Discover the history of Western European painting through one of the most outstanding art collections in the world. Taking a chronological approach, we’ll introduce you to key artists and styles from the 15th to the mid-19th centuries. Our exploration will include early devotional images, intriguing depictions of everyday life, opulent rococo representations of mythology, as well as outstanding portraits and renditions of magnificent landscapes. While looking carefully at works by major artists including Cima, Rembrandt, Velázquez, Fragonard, Gainsborough and Bonheur, we’ll discuss function, technique and potential interpretations. 

Each morning, you’ll learn with our experts through in-depth, theatre-based talks, exploring our remarkable paintings in context. We’ll then begin each afternoon with a spotlight talk, where we’ll discuss a single work through a theoretical perspective including feminism, class and the democratisation of art. We’ll complete each day with lively gallery tours, drawing together the ideas introduced in the theatre and allowing for observation and discussion of paintings close up.  

Over five days, you’ll gain a broad knowledge of a range of artworks, enabling you to recognise and understand some of the major stylistic and material developments in painting, both within the Wallace Collection and further afield. 

Contributors: Each day will be led by experts in the field of art history, including Dr Chantal Brotherton-Ratcliffe (Lecturer on the MA Fine and Decorative Art and Design, Sotheby’s Institute of Art), Alexander Collins (Assistant Curator for Portraits of Dogs, Wallace Collection), Clare Ford-Wille (Associate Lecturer, Birkbeck College, University of London) and Dr Barbara Lasic (Lecturer in History of Art, Sotheby’s Institute of Art). 

Joining Information and Format: The summer school will be taught in the Wallace Collection Theatre, and in galleries throughout the museum. Please meet each day in the Theatre, on the Lower Ground Floor. 

Tickets are for all five dates. Morning tea and coffee will be provided; participants should make their own arrangements for lunch.