The Art of Sixteenth Century Venice

Visit the dazzling world of 16th‑century Venice: the glittering heart of Renaissance creativity.

This course brings you face‑to‑face with the city’s extraordinary painters, from the pioneering Bellini brothers to the poetic Giorgione, the majestic Titian, the daring Tintoretto, and the opulent Veronese. Discover how a city built on marshland rose to become a powerhouse of art, wealth, and culture.

Through iconic masterpieces, intimate portraits, sensual nudes, dramatic narratives, and the fascinating lives of Venetian courtesans, you’ll explore how politics, society, and innovation shaped this golden age.

Along the way, you’ll encounter the brilliance of Lotto, Bassano, and Carpaccio, whose works bridge Venetian style with Northern influences.

The course culminates in a visit to the National Gallery of Scotland, where these stories and styles come vividly to life. Learners will be required to move between exhibits. The venue is fully wheelchair accessible are there will be portable seats available for learners who would like access to seating as they move around.

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 sixteenth-century Venetian painting and its major developments
• Identify and contextualise key Venetian artists and their principal works.  
• Explain the role of the international art market in the circulation, reception, and dissemination of Venetian painting
• Critically evaluate the historical contexts of sixteenth-century Venetian painting, drawing on relevant primary and secondary evidence.  

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.