This course focuses on the modern period and issues raised by modern art practices. It spans the period from the mid-nineteenth century to the late 1930s, before the outbreak of the second World War. The program makes a distinction between modernity as a social phenomenon and modernism as an activity in the visual arts. It will consider the role of the artist in modern society and will include detailed examination of the new forms of representation developed by artists in Europe with particular reference to works of art in the collection of the National Gallery of Australia. Most lectures and tutorials are held in the National Gallery.

At the end of this course, students should

1. become acquainted with major trajectories in modernist art in Europe and North America, 1860-1937.
2. be able to understand and analyse significant works of art in formal and contextual terms
3. comprehend specific historical issues that relate to individual artists, periods or movements
4. understand the significance of late-19th and early-20th century developments for histories of contemporary practice

1200 word essay (50%); 600 word essay or equivalent (20%); tutorial presentation (20%); Attendance and participation (10%).
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is compulsory.

Two lectures and one tutorial per week.