Art History: The Renaissance Gaze: The Body Portrayed

Discover how Renaissance artists revolutionised the representation of the human body, transforming it from medieval abstraction into a celebration of beauty and anatomical perfection. The rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman art between 1400-1500 sparked fierce debates about artistic excellence and created new visual languages for depicting everything from divine figures to powerful rulers. In the first session we will explore the ‘paragone’(Italian for ‘comparison’) between sculpture and painting, examining the Renaissance debate over which art form could best capture the human body through works by Donatello and his contemporaries. In the second session we will investigate how artists like Van Eyck, Botticelli, and Dürer transformed Christian imagery, revolutionising depictions of Adam and Eve and the body of Christ through classical ideals. In the third session we will analyse how masters including Raphael, Holbein, Bronzino and Titian communicated power and status through bodily representation in Renaissance state portraits. This course is perfect for anyone curious about Renaissance art, from complete beginners to those with existing knowledge seeking deeper exploration.

Class format and activities

Online lectures and interactive discussion utilising extensive slide presentations illustrating Renaissance artworks and artistic techniques. Sessions include regular Q and A opportunities, interactive activities and group discussions.

Learning Outcomes

01: Understand how Renaissance artists transformed the representation of the human body by rediscovering Classical art.
02: Analyse key themes in Renaissance body portrayal including the nude, beauty canons, and body language.
03: Analyse the transformation of Christian imagery and the development of state portraiture during the Renaissance.
04: Gain confidence in discussing Renaissance visual culture and participating in informed conversations about art.

Course entry requirements

There are no entry requirements. This course welcomes both complete beginners seeking an introduction to Renaissance visual culture and learners with previous art history knowledge who wish to explore these themes in greater depth.

What you need to know before you enrol

This course is delivered online via Microsoft Teams every Monday, 5pm-7pm, with a 10-minute break. Our IT team provides technical support for platform setup if needed.

What to bring to class

A reliable internet connection and device for accessing Microsoft Teams. You will find it helpful to have paper and pen for making notes. Comprehensive slide lists and essential bibliography will be provided for reference.

What you can do next

Continue your Renaissance journey with Renaissance Gaze: The Artist's Workshop (22 June – 6 July 2026), the sequel course that investigates how Renaissance masters organised their workshops and trained their assistants. Both courses can be taken independently, but together they offer a comprehensive exploration of Renaissance visual culture. Join our community of Renaissance art enthusiasts for ongoing discussions with a Renaissance scholar and like-minded learners.

Timetable

This course takes places on the following dates and times:

Date	Start Time	End Time	Duration
Monday, 22 June 2026	5:00 PM	7:00 PM	2 hrs
Monday, 29 June 2026	5:00 PM	7:00 PM	2 hrs
Monday, 6 July 2026	5:00 PM	7:00 PM	2 hrs

Tutor profile

Carlo Corsato

Tutor biography coming soon.