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The Arts of the Byzantine Empire
Short course
+44 (0)20 7942 2000
Tickets available from 10.00 on Wednesday, 29 January 2025
Join us at V&A South Kensington as we discover more about the arts of the Byzantine Empire and its centre Constantinople (present day Istanbul). The Byzantines were famed for their craftsmen for over a thousand years, from the foundation of the capital by the emperor Constantine in 330 to its fall to the Ottomans in 1453. Focusing on the ninth to fourteenth centuries, this short course explores the luxury arts: mosaics, goldsmiths work, enamels, illuminated manuscripts and ivories, and draws on the wealth of objects in the V&A’s collection. Objects are set into their historical context and issues such as patronage, techniques and iconography are explored.
To support your learning, lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials will be made available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 6 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. While you're there, you can join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
> Looking to dive deeper? Upgrade your experience with three complementary gallery talks.
> Prefer the flexibility of online? Book now for The Arts of the Byzantine Empire (online).
To support your learning, lecture recordings and study materials, lecture notes, copies of the presentations, and additional study materials will be made available in our secure Microsoft Teams environment for 6 weeks after the course ends, so you'll never miss a thing. While you're there, you can join the conversation: share your perspective with your fellow students, and support each other in your further enquiries outside of class time.
> Looking to dive deeper? Upgrade your experience with three complementary gallery talks.
> Prefer the flexibility of online? Book now for The Arts of the Byzantine Empire (online).
Course Leaders
Dr Cecily Hennessy and Dr Sally Dormer
Dr Cecily Hennessy was Academic Director at Christie’s Education, London with a doctorate in Byzantine Art History from the Courtauld Institute, London. Dr Sally Dormer is Course Director at the V&A Academy and specialist medieval art historian and lecturer, with a doctorate on Medieval manuscript illumination from the Courtauld Institute.
Quality of lecturers was exceptional Previous V&A Academy Course Attendee
Course overview
The Byzantines were famed for their craftsmen for over a thousand years, from the foundation of the capital by the emperor Constantine in 330 to its fall to the Ottomans in 1453. Focusing on the ninth to fourteenth centuries, this short course explores the luxury arts: mosaics, goldsmiths work, enamels, illuminated manuscripts and ivories, and draws on the wealth of objects in the V&A’s collection.
Choose between three ticket types: Course, Course plus Gallery Talks or Online Stream!
Choose between three ticket types: Course, Course plus Gallery Talks or Online Stream!
Membership Priority Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on Wednesday 29 January. General Booking will open at 10.00 GMT on Monday 10 February 2025.
Being up close with treasured objects from the V&A's collections brings your learning to life. Get precious time with incredible exemplars, as well as with our expert tutors and your fellow learners.
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Short course: The Arts of the Byzantine Empire
11 June 2025 - 16 July 2025
£250.00
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)
Related events
Header image: Leaf from a Gospel Book showing the seated figure of St. Mark the Evangelist with a scroll draped over his knee; 1180-1200; Byzantine; made in Constantinople (present day Istanbul) © Victoria and Albert Museum, London