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Spanish Art from Al Andalus to the Renaissance
Online course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Join us on this Spanish Art course to explore the rich and varied culture which flowered over several hundred years; some of which is still visible in Spain today. The Islamic dynasties that conquered the Iberian Peninsula in 711AD and the Christian kingdoms that gradually reconquered it over the next 800 years all contributed to its uniquely varied heritage.
Learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 10 hours of study over 5 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 5 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
Learn from our world-class experts wherever you are, whenever suits you: watch lectures live or view the recording later in your own time. You can experience the full breadth and depth of the V&A's collections with 10 hours of study over 5 weeks. Learn at your own pace: lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials are available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 5 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. And finally, join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
V&A Academy Course Director
Dr Jacqueline Cockburn
Dr Jacqueline Cockburn is an art historian and linguist. After a career in academic teaching at Birkbeck college, University of London and Westminster School, she is now a freelance lecturer. Jacqueline is Managing Director of Art and Culture Andalucía running residential courses in Andalucía, Southern Spain in the art and culture of the region.
It is an enormous treat for me to be able to attend these courses online. The online format works brilliantly for me! V&A Academy Online Learner
Course overview
This 5 week course will begin with the arrival of the Arabs and Berbers in what would be known as Al Andalus in 711. It will explore the rich and varied culture which flowered over several hundred years; some of which is still visible in Spain today. We will explore great buildings in Toledo, Cordoba, Granada and other cities; the Cordoba Mosque will be a key example as well as the Alhambra in Granada. With the rich collection in the V&A we will also look at textiles, ivories and more to find meaning in what was preserved after the reconquest of Spain. The dominance of the Catholic Church and its powerful Inquisition gave rise to another wave of an extraordinarily diverse visual culture, culminating in a so called ‘Golden Age’ of Spain which is fascinating to unravel. The court of Philip 2nd and his building of the Escorial will be discussed as well as artists such as El Greco, Zurbaran, Ribera and Murillo. Polychrome sculptures made religion come to life and Still Life painting made visible the impact of the discovery of the Americas. The course will end with Velazquez in Seville and then in Madrid where his court paintings give great insights into 17th Century Spain.
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Online course: Spanish Art from Al Andalus to the Renaissance
20 January 2026 - 17 February 2026
£125.00
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)
Related events
Header image: Bust, painted wood, the Virgin Sorrows, attributed to Jose de Mora, Spanish (Granada), after 1671. Museum Nr. 1284-1871.