Pupils develop an aesthetic appreciation of art, sculpture and architecture through the ages, helping them to make sense of our surroundings and culture.
The History of Art Department teaches the Edexcel course, which aims to develop a high level of visual awareness and a critical understanding of works of art and architecture from many cultures, as well as building core research and analytical skills.
History of Art is a popular course, which combines well with many other subjects. It is suitable for pupils who are curious about the visual culture that surrounds them, and who enjoy descriptive and analytical writing. It is an academic subject, but pupils require no previous knowledge in the subject, and certainly no practical art experience or aptitude.
Pupils develop analytical skills by studying great works of art, architecture and sculpture. They expand their historical knowledge by becoming familiar with artworks from two selected periods - the Italian Renaissance, which includes works by Masaccio, Botticelli, Michelangelo and Donatello and the 19th Century in England and France which includes the works by the Pre-Raphaelites, Monet, Rodin and Leighton. The other area of study covers the two themes of War and Nature. The works of art on this thematic paper are not restricted by any single time period and are gathered from a wide variety of contexts. Pupils are encouraged to think in more insightful ways and compare inherent meanings and messages in the imagery.
There is an annual trip to Italy in the October of the second year of the syllabus, where they stay in Rome, Florence and Venice. They also visit museums and art galleries in London each term to see original works of art.
Studying History of Art at Uppingham instills a lifelong passion for the subject, and pupils frequently go on to read the subject at university. Past Uppingham pupils are currently studying History of Art at The Courtauld Institute of Art, Edinburgh, Manchester, Leeds, UCL, Oxford Brookes and Newcastle.