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 interpretations. 

Each morning, you’ll learn with our experts through in-depth talks in our theatre, 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, identity politics and the construction of power. 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.

Read the full programme here.

Take part at the museum: 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.