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Late Medieval (online)
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Tickets available from 10.00 on Wednesday, 24 June 2026
Join us to explore the artistic crosscurrents of a rapidly changing Europe between 1250-1400, from soaring gothic cathedrals adorned with glowing stained glass, to intricate ivories, enamels, and manuscripts, and Giotto’s robustly realistic paintings…
The iconic gothic style emerged in Paris – the cultural capital of Europe in this period – and dominated European art from England in the North down to Italy in the South. But at the same time, artists in Pisa, Florence and Siena were developing newly realistic styles inspired by classical Antiquity and naturalism. On this course, you’ll meet the first great names to emerge in art history: Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Duccio, Simone Martini and Giotto. You’ll discover impressive churches and secular buildings, and beautiful objects such as illuminated manuscripts, carved ivories, enamelled goldsmiths’ work and embroidered textiles. Join our expert speakers to discover the richness and material diversity of late medieval art, with the V&A’s world-renowned collections for inspiration.
This course runs every Wednesday for 10 weeks online, plus you'll get an extra 10 weeks to catch up once the course ends. Not able to attend live? You can also follow the course on catch up. Want to enrich your learning experience with exclusive access to bonus sessions, such as gallery talks and object study? Check out the in-person version of this course at the V&A South Kensington!
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
This course runs every Wednesday for 10 weeks online, plus you'll get an extra 10 weeks to catch up once the course ends. Not able to attend live? You can also follow the course on catch up. Want to enrich your learning experience with exclusive access to bonus sessions, such as gallery talks and object study? Check out the in-person version of this course at the V&A South Kensington!
For more details on how our courses work, see V&A Academy questions · V&A.
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Course Director
Dr Sally Dormer
Dr Sally Dormer is a specialist medieval art historian with an M.A. in Medieval Art History and Ph.D. on Medieval illuminated manuscripts from the Courtauld Institute, London University. Sally teaches, or has taught, for the Art Fund, the Arts Society, Art Pursuits, London Art History Society, Swan Hellenic, and Gresham College.
A really enjoyable and informative course. Quality of lecturers was high. Stimulating. Previous V&A Academy Online course attendee
Membership Priority Booking will open at 10.00 BST on Wednesday 24 June. General Booking will open at 10.00 BST on Wednesday 8th July 2026.
Our courses are built using the latest Microsoft software. Tune in to expert lectures live or catch up on demand. Join discussions and continue your learning with downloadable handouts and presentations. Find out more >>
Course overview
Ready to unlock the secrets of Late Medieval Art and Architecture? Come with us to discover 150 years of artistic innovation, from 1250-1400.
Weekly lecture themes include:
Gothic Church Architecture in Northern Europe
Florentine and Sienese Painting 1300-1350
Embroidery and Panel Painting
…and many more!
By the end of this course, you will have gained a deeper understanding of how art and architecture developed in a period of rapid change across Europe between 1250-1400. You’ll use specific case studies and historical context to dig deeper into developments in painting and architecture, and reveal the intricate beauty of often overlooked artforms such as enamelling, stained glass and embroidery.
Ready to dive deeper? Take a look at the full course programme by clicking 'download programme' below.
Enrol now
Year course: Late Medieval (online)
30 September 2026 - 2 December 2026
£300.00
Tickets not available yet
Need help enrolling? Talk to the admissions team:
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Open 10.00 - 13.00, Monday to Sunday (closed 24-26 December)
