New art from old
Weekend-long art history and theory course
20 June 2020 10am - 5pm21 June 2020 10am - 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Terms and conditions
From Velázquez and Picasso to Paula Rego RA and Michael Landy RA, this weekend course will explore the dialogues that connect Old Masters and contemporary artists throughout time, history and space.
Due to the ongoing circumstances surrounding coronavirus, we regret to inform you that we have made the difficult decision to cancel all events advertised for 2020 at this moment. If you have purchased tickets to an event, please contact us on 0207 300 8090 or tickets@royalacademy.org.uk and include your order number to arrange a refund. We aim to reply within 5 working days.
Picasso’s variations on his great hero Velázquez preoccupied him during the later stages of his career but he had already been borrowing, or indeed stealing, from many sources ranging from Cézanne to African art (as can be seen in the Royal Academy's Picasso and Paper exhibition).
In the 15th century, the Italian Renaissance was triggered by a desire to imitate the art of ancient Rome. By the 17th and 18th centuries, with the advent of the Academies, learning from the past by making copies from the Old Masters became an essential part of every artist’s education.
And more recently, programmes such as the Associate Artist scheme at the National Gallery, in which RAs Michael Landy and Paula Rego have both participated, have encouraged contemporary artists to make new work inspired by their predecessors.
The critical question is how do we differentiate between plagiarism and originality, or between pastiche and invention? This study weekend will delve into these questions.
About the course leader:
Colin Wiggins was Special Projects Curator at the National Gallery until 2016. He has lectured widely in the United States and Europe and is a practising printmaker, with work in various collections including the Los Angeles County Museum and the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
Picasso and Paper organised by the Royal Academy of Arts, London and the Cleveland Museum of Art in partnership with the Musée national Picasso-Paris
Minimum age 18. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact academic.programmes@royalacademy.org.uk.
Bad artists copy, great artists steal
Attributed to both T.S. Eliot and Picasso
Our courses and classes programme
Our varied programme of short courses and classes provides an opportunity to explore subjects ranging from life drawing to the history of exhibitions and arts management, led by expert tutors and practising artists. These courses introduce traditional art-making processes, as well as perspectives on art history, theory and business.
Give this course as a gift
All of our courses can be purchased as a gift for a friend or family member – giving the gift of education and a remarkable experience. To arrange a personalised Gift Voucher, please contact the Academic Programmes Team, by calling 020 7300 5641 or email academic.programmes@royalacademy.org.uk