History of Art

History of Art at Francis Holland is an exciting Sixth Form subject. Students have the opportunity to gain an awareness about what is happening in the art world now, whilst understanding how these contemporary ideas have come about in the context of art history.

We live in a visual world bombarded by visual signs and imagery – do you want to learn how to decode them? Do you look at things and wonder why they look the way they do? Are you interested in the past? Are you interested in finding out about the historical and cultural contexts that helped to shape the way in which things were, and are made, and then valued?

Art History teaches how to see differently and how to consider a range of different points of view. We study works of art and architecture from the classical world to cutting-edge twenty-first-century works of art and ask a lot of questions. The most important being, what are you looking at? Followed by why does this object (be it a painting, sculpture or building) look the way it does and what impact did this object have and how is it relevant to us today?

Why study Art History at FHS?

Seeing works of art first hand is an exciting part of the course (one encouraged by the qualification) and we are in a unique location to be able to do so. Here in London we are surrounded by some of the world’s greatest museums and galleries which we visit regularly. The Wallace Gallery for example, is just a 15 minute walk from Francis Holland. We also take study trips to Paris, Rome, Florence and New York.

Why A Level Art History?

The A Level course offers students the chance to study a wide ranging syllabus and to develop a critical understanding of works of art, placing them firmly in the context in which they are found.

Visual analytical skills are the basis of Paper 1, these skills are then developed through analysis of how artists and architects tackle themes, such as Nature and Identity. Paper 2 enables us to focus with greater detail on two historical periods; Renaissance Italy and British and American contemporary art and architecture.

Beyond The Classroom

Francis Holland girls are lucky to be situated so near to many of the world’s most prestigious art collections. The Wallace Collection is moments away, and The National Gallery, British Museum and Tate Britain are regularly visited. As the subject also has a modern and contemporary focus, the Tate Modern and the commercial galleries of central London are prime resources. The exam board encourages students to study works of art from first-hand and we are in such a privileged position to enable this to happen on a regular basis here in London.

The department also takes great pleasure in arranging study trips abroad so the girls can observe first hand the art they have studied in class. Recent visits include study trips to Italy, visiting both Rome and Florence and also New York.