Art History: Reformers and Radicals: A survey of the art and politics of 16th Century Europe

A five week overview of the huge changes – religious, political and cultural – in Europe in the 16th Century.

Religion, politics and art changed greatly during this period. Art was used to convey religious messages; politicians deployed artists to support their campaigns. Some countries became Protestant, others didn’t – why? Great figures ranging from Luther to Charles V, Durer to El Greco, Titian to Caravaggio will all feature as we explore the historical context behind the art of the period.

This course requires no experience or prior knowledge and will, we hope, provide some new insight into a fascinating period of European history.

This series of five informal lectures will encourage discussion, debate and questions. Tutors Trevor and Sally will provide some basic insight into 16th Century Europe and some understanding of the huge changes sweeping across Europe, primarily as a result of the Protestant Reformation. This cannot be a comprehensive survey, much will have to be left out, but we hope to cover main themes, providing historical context and examination and analysis of art and artists associated with those themes.

The five lectures will cover:

• Wednesday 7 January: Early Reformation (with a focus on Luther and Germany; Durer, Cranach, Grunewald)
• Wednesday 21 January: Later Reformation (with a focus on Calvin, Switzerland, France and Holland)
• Wednesday 4 February: The Counter Reformation (El Greco, Caravaggio, Veronese)
• Wednesday 25 February: Charles V; politics and political responses to Protestantism (Titian, Holbein)
• Wednesday 4 March: Spain, bastion of the Counter Reformation (El Greco, Titian, Mor)

Each lecture will start at 10:30am and finish at 12pm. They can be booked individually or book the full series of five talks and save 10%.

About the tutor:

Tutors Trevor Allen and Sally Gower, new to our Attenborough Arts Centre team, are both retired school teachers. Trevor taught History and Sally taught Art and Art History at Leicester Grammar School. They both have extensive experience of this period of art history having taught the subject at A Level to many students over many years. They have terrific enthusiasm for their subjects and have not stopped learning more and wanting to share their knowledge with others. Sally has used her retirement to travel a lot more, always to places where there is art to be seen, and Trevor has spent much time learning more about local history and leading guided walks in and around Leicester.

Further information:

Participants must be aged 18+. No prior knowledge of art history or study experience is required, just an interest in finding out more!

If the course/workshop you’d like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list – simply contact our box office team on 0116 252 2455 / arts-centre@le.ac.uk and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to accept it if you’ve made other plans.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you’d like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us.