Goddesses and heroines in the history of art

About this course

This course examines how artists between 1400 and 1700 represented female figures from classical mythology, the Bible and ancient legend. Thematic sections consider subjects including Minerva, Venus, Diana, Judith, Jael, Esther and the Amazons, alongside the tradition of the Female Worthies. Lectures and slide presentations introduce the cultural, religious and social contexts of early modern Italy, while group discussions consider how these figures conveyed ideas about gender, power, virtue, desire and authority. The course also explores why such women were often presented as both exemplary and threatening. One session takes place in a museum.

What you'll learn

• Identify major mythological, biblical and legendary female figures in early modern Italian art
• Analyse how artists used these figures to examine gender, power, virtue and the female body
• Discuss the ambiguity associated with representations of female virtue, authority and excess
• Relate individual artworks to their wider cultural, religious and social contexts

Is this course right for you?

The course is open to all levels and no prior knowledge of the subject is required. It combines listening with group discussion and includes an offsite museum session during public opening hours. Participants generally need to walk between sites and stand while viewing works, although access arrangements can be discussed for wheelchair users.

• No previous knowledge of art history is required
• Includes lectures, visual presentations and group discussion
• The museum session may involve walking between sites and standing for some time

Before you go

• Supplementary course documents are shared through Google Classroom; required handouts are printed.
• The museum visit is free.
• A notebook may be useful for taking notes but is not required.
• The offsite session takes place during public access hours, when visitor noise, gallery closures and other environmental conditions may vary. Seating cannot be guaranteed, though participants may bring a portable stool.