Learn how to “read” an artwork and enjoy paintings for all they’re worth.
What is man’s relationship to existence? Is he capable of attaining knowledge, or is his world forever shrouded in mystery? Can man succeed in achieving meaningful goals, or is he doomed to frustration and defeat?
The great Romantic artists of the 19th century attempted to answer such profound questions through exciting and awe-inspiring works. Caspar David Friedrich conveyed a profound connection between man and nature. John Martin, on the other hand, depicted man’s struggle in a tempestuous world. Thomas Cole exhibited grand human drama on an epic scale. And Frederick Edwin Church sought to portray the most awe-inspiring corners of the Earth.
In this course, you’ll be immersed—sensually, emotionally, and intellectually—in the worlds these artists created. You’ll learn to “read” an artwork by asking penetrating questions that bring the scene to life, empathizing with the characters, and using music to enhance the experience. You’ll look deeply into various works, examining what they say about man’s relationship with nature and the universe. And you’ll explore how the ideas expressed in paintings reflect both the artists’ considered views and their implicit beliefs.
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