Stories and Myths in Art

Five Week Course.

Over five weeks of this course we will explore the world of art and the stories they convey that have inspired people for thousands of years to the present day. This is a world rich in the imagination, in word and in literature and in both the real and magical.

We will explore Classical and Christian myths;  stories which are played out in mysterious places and spaces of land and sea, stories of visions, dreams and miracles; the journey of the soul; Arthurian legends; the fairytale;  real stories of tragedy, and stories of the every day. The rich panoply of the stories and myths presented in art invites us to connect to these images – and ourselves-  in a more meaningful and direct way.   Stories evoke emotions and connection and when these are played out in art, they work through deeper layers of the psyche, the imagination and the heart.

We will explore the deeper meaning of myth through metaphor and the symbolic,  question whether older myths are still relevant today, explore which myths most appeal to you and explore the differences, if any, between myth and story. For the final week you will be invited to find a myth or story in art that you would like to present and write about.  

Course Outline:

Week One – Origins of Stories and Myths told through Art: Journeys 

This will include, among others – Homer’s Odyssey / The Muses / Greek and Roman Myths/ Journey of the Magi and some of the artists we will cover will include – Raphael, Gentile da Fabriano, JW Waterhouse, Titian and more.

Week Two – Living Statues / The Christian Myth

This will include, among others – The Ancient Greek Boxer / Mythical Creatures / Venus / Visions, Dreams & Miracles /  Death & Dying and some of the artists we will cover will include Botticelli, Giotto, Michelangelo, Duccio, Caravaggio, Aubrey Beardsley and more.

Week Three- The Soul’s Journey and The Imagination 

This will include, among others – Virgil’s The Aeneid / Dante’s Divine Comedy and some of the artists we will cover will include Claude Lorrain, JMW Turner, Auguste Rodin, Rossetti, Botticelli, William Blake and more.

Week Four – Legends & Fairytales 

This will include, among others  – Arthurian Legends / The Sleeping Beauty / The Mermaid and some of the artists we will cover will include Frank Dicksee, William Holman Hunt, Edward Burne-Jones, Rossetti, JW Waterhouse, Walter Crane and more.

 

Week Five – Real Life Stories in Art / Presenting your chosen work of Art

This will include, among others – Lady Jane Grey / European War & Tragedy / The Every Day and some of the artists we will look at will include Delaroche, Goya, David, Courbet, Picasso. In this last session we will also have a fun quiz.

Book the full five week course for £90 and save £10 using the button below

OR you now have the option of booking each session separately 

Week One:Origins of Stories and Myths told through Art: Journeys –  £20

Week Two: Living Statues / The Christian Myth –  £20

Week Three: The Soul’s Journey & The Imagination – £20

Week Four: Legends & Fairytales  –  £20

Week Five: Real Life Stories in Art / Presenting your chosen work of Art  –  £20