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Romanesque to Gothic Europe (Online)
Year course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Tickets available from 10.00 on Wednesday, 4 February 2026
Between 1050 and 1150, Europe witnessed unprecedented investment in Romanesque church buildings, many inspired by Roman monuments, and the rebirth of architectural sculpture with plentiful regional variation.
Explore the glorious variety of Romanesque and Early Gothic art including gilded enamels from the Meuse valley, glittering mosaics in Norman Sicily, and the soaring vaults of Chartres Cathedral.
On this online medieval studies course, you can 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 more than 30 hours of study over 10 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 up to 10 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.
If you would prefer to join this course in-person at V&A South Kensington, you have two options: attend the lectures live, or upgrade your experience with five complimentary gallery talks.
For more details, see V&A Academy questions
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Explore the glorious variety of Romanesque and Early Gothic art including gilded enamels from the Meuse valley, glittering mosaics in Norman Sicily, and the soaring vaults of Chartres Cathedral.
On this online medieval studies course, you can 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 more than 30 hours of study over 10 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 up to 10 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.
If you would prefer to join this course in-person at V&A South Kensington, you have two options: attend the lectures live, or upgrade your experience with five complimentary gallery talks.
For more details, see V&A Academy questions
This course is suitable for participants aged 18 and over.
Course Director
Dr Sally Dormer
Dr Sally Dormer is a specialist medieval art historian and lecturer, with an M.A. in Medieval Art History and a Ph.D. on Medieval manuscript illumination from the Courtauld Institute, University of London. Sally has taught, for ARTscapades, the Arts Society, Art Pursuits Abroad, London Art History Society, Cox & Kings, and Gresham College.
Totally fantastic course - really well-structured and presented an excellent subject matter. Previous V&A Academy Student
Membership Priority Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on Wednesday 4 February 2026. General Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on Monday 12 February 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
This ten-week hybrid course covers the period between 1050 and 1250, inspired by the V&A's medieval collections.
Between 1050 and 1150 Europe witnessed unprecedented investment in Romanesque church buildings, many inspired by Roman monuments, and the rebirth of architectural sculpture with plentiful regional variation.
The “New” style of architecture (termed “Gothic” from the 17th century) emerged in mid-12th century Paris. Craftsmen made buildings that reached new heights with increasingly light-filled interiors. Paris was the epicentre of new ideas, subsequently adopted, to varying degrees, by neighbouring realms. Figurative art changed profoundly from dynamic Romanesque design to something more natural, even classical; a revolution prompted by shifts in theological philosophy, urban and commercial growth, increased literacy, and monasticism’s decline (although the new mendicant orders were influential after 1220).
We explore the deterioration of relations between East and West, as the Crusading movement increased in zeal, and look at the Sack of Constantinople in 1204, which heralded the Byzantine Empire’s nadir and an influx of Byzantine influence, especially in Italy.
Enrol now
Year course: Romanesque to Gothic Europe (Online)
21 April 2026 - 23 June 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)
