Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael: Masters of the High Renaissance

Step into the vibrant world of the Italian High Renaissance and discover how Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael reshaped the course of Western art. This engaging course traces each master’s career in depth, revealing the creative breakthroughs, political forces and cultural currents that defined their extraordinary achievements. Follow Leonardo from his early experiments to his Milanese masterpieces and visionary late works. Explore Michelangelo’s rise from youthful prodigy to creator of the David, the Sistine Ceiling and the monumental projects of papal Rome. Then journey with Raphael from his formative years in Urbino and Florence to the dazzling brilliance of his Roman period, from the Stanza Segnatura to the papal tapestries. Richly illustrated and vividly taught, this course offers an inspiring immersion in the genius, ambition and artistic revolutions of the Renaissance’s greatest figures.

Any recommended reading will be advised by the course teacher once the course is confirmed to run. You will require access to a computer or other device with internet connection. 

If you have fully engaged with all the learning activities and have attended regularly, by the end of the course you should be able to:

• Demonstrate broad, informed knowledge of the artworks and visual culture of the Italian High Renaissance.
• Identify and contextualise the principal artists of the period and their key works.
• Critically evaluate the historical contexts of High Renaissance art, drawing on relevant primary and secondary evidence.
• Analyse works of art through close visual reading, with particular attention to iconography and composition.

This course is for anyone interested in art history, no prior experience is required. 

We welcome all and are committed to fostering a positive culture and sense of community among learners and staff. We expect learners to treat others with dignity and respect. Learners must be aged 16+.

If you have a disability, learning difficulty, health condition, or personal circumstances which may affect your learning, please let us know so that we can make appropriate adjustments in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.

Wherever possible, we mainstream adjustments in line with the University’s Accessible and Inclusive Learning Policy.

Learners will have limited access to the University’s student support services who will signpost appropriate local sources of support. 

There are no specific entry requirements for this course, and no prior knowledge is needed.

You will need to have reading, listening and communication skills, including the ability to understand detailed ideas and information presented verbally and in writing. You must be comfortable learning in English if it is not your first language. You will need basic digital skills, such as using a computer and navigating a website, to access the learning materials.

Booking is available until 23:59 the day before the course start date, unless the course is full or cancelled.