The famed critic Walter Benjamin described Paris as ‘the capital of the nineteenth century’ and, on the whole, art historians have followed his lead and discarded Victorian art as morally sentimental and formally conservative. But what does it mean to treat Paris and France rather, than say, London and Britain as the exemplary sites of modernity? Drawing on the latest research from a range of disciplines and several approaches we will examine Victorian art and visual culture, locating them at the heart of an age of capitalism and empire. In the module we will look well-known works of art including Pre-Raphaelite painting, Gothic architecture and Morris designs, but also at photography, print culture and fashion. Our aim is to reassess a dynamic period in art and emerging media, reframing assumptions and reframing a period that saw the transformation of the modern world.
Themes discussed will include: Art and the state; gender and sexuality; class and politics; industry and work; the city and the country; race and empire.
Course leaders: Professor Steve Edwards and Professor Lydna Nead
In the event that a course leader is on sabbatical, takes a fellowship, or otherwise is not able to teach the course, they will be replaced by another experienced course leader either for a semester or, in some cases, the academic year.
