Unity And Diversity: Art Metropolises of Europe
20 January 2027 - 3 February 2027
10.45–12.45 and 14.00–16.00 Wednesdays
£86.00 – £428.00
Description
Europe faces a pivotal moment in its history, where debates over unity and diversity hold renewed urgency. This lecture series is the second of two that examine the idea of Europe through some of its most distinctive cities, tracing the development of their urban forms, the lives of those who shaped them, and the architectural and artistic legacies they embody.
”This course challenged us all to approach Art History from new directions, which was so stimulating. Andrew also made it a very pleasant couple of hours.”
Course Outline
20 Jan 2027
10.45-12.45 Vienna
For centuries, the centre of the Hapsburg Empire, Vienna was the last of the great capital cities to be radically transformed in the nineteenth century. Torn between the past and the future (characterised by progressives such as Sigmund Freud, Gustav Mahler and Egon Schiele), the ‘psychology’ of the city is reflected in its architectural developments.
14.00–16.00 Munich
Munich developed as Bavaria’s political and cultural heart, blending Catholic Baroque traditions with royal patronage. In the 19th century, it became an artistic hub—home to the Secession movement, music, and theatre. It is home to some of the greatest museums in the world – the Alte Pinakothek, Deutsches Museum, and Lenbachhaus. But it also has its shadows – it was a crucible for the Nazis – which are reflected in the fabric of the city.
27 Jan 2027
10.45-12.45 Moscow
A ‘riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma’. Churchill’s assessment of Russia is manifest in its capital city, the site of great monuments to Christian Orthodoxy as well as the nation’s political ambitions in the tsarist, soviet and modern periods. Each of the trends that makes up the city’s complex history – from its staunchly conservative religiosity to its unbridled avant-garde experimentalism is represented in its architecture and institutions.
14.00–16.00 Copenhagen
Copenhagen developed as Denmark’s royal and maritime centre, shaped by Lutheran traditions, trade, and Enlightenment urban planning. Its cultural history reflects a balance of monarchy and civic life, evident in its palaces, universities and theatres. The city fostered design innovation, from classic architecture to modernist furniture, while maintaining strong literary, philosophical, and social-democratic traditions.
03 Feb 2027
10.45-12.45 Paris
Paris has long served as France’s political and cultural core, marked by royal courts, revolutionary upheavals and intellectual salons. Its history blends Gothic cathedrals, Enlightenment philosophy and 19th century artistic innovation. A global centre for fashion, literature and avant‑garde movements, Paris embodies both monumental tradition and continual reinvention, playing a leading role in the shaping of western cultural values over many centuries.
14.00–16.00 London
London’s cultural history includes layers beyond its visible imperial and financial roles: medieval guild networks shaping civic power, hidden religious dissent, underground print cultures influencing politics, and marginalised immigrant and working-class communities leaving lasting marks. Behind the well-known monuments and institutions, its growth was driven by informal economies, surveillance, and periodic unrest that redefined its urban identity. This talk will look at aspects of London that even Londoners often miss.