Manet, Van Gogh, Gauguin: Impressionism and Beyond



Overview

The 1910 exhibition 'Manet and the Post-Impressionists', organised by Roger Fry, was one of the most important in the history of British art, bringing London face-to-face with recent developments in French painting. It was at this exhibition that the term Post-Impressionism was coined. Manet, Gauguin, Cézanne and Van Gogh shocked and astounded a British public who were still keen fans of traditional Victorian art.

We will examine all the major artists who were represented at the exhibition; those mentioned above and additionally Seurat, Signac, Picasso, and Matisse. How were these artists received in Britain, who collected their works, and where were they exhibited prior to World War One?

The opportunity to visit the see Post-Impressionist works at the Courtauld Gallery will enable a face-to-face encounter with some of the great paintings featured in the course. 

Programme details

Course starts: 23 Jan 2026

Week 1: Modern Art and Impressionism in Britain before 1910

Week 2: Édouard Manet

Week 3: Denis, Derain, Vlaminck and other artists

Week 4: Seurat and Signac

Week 5: Paul Cézanne -Exhibitions and Collectors in Britain

Week 6: Picasso: The early years

Week 7: Matisse: The early years

Week 8: Field Trip: The Courtauld Gallery

Week 9: Vincent Van Gogh - Exhibitions and Collectors in Britain

Week 10: Paul Gauguin - Exhibitions and Collectors in Britain

Certification

Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) Points

Only those who have registered for assessment and accreditation will be awarded CATS points for completing work to the required standard. Please note that assignments are not graded but are marked either pass or fail. Please follow this link for more information on Credit Accumulation Transfer Scheme (CATS) points

Digital Certificate of Completion 

Students who are registered for assessment and accreditation and pass their final assignment will also be eligible for a digital Certificate of Completion. Information on how to access the digital certificate will be emailed to you after the end of the course. The certificate will show your name, the course title and the dates of the course attended. You will be able to download the certificate and share it on social media if you choose to do so.

Please note students who do not register for assessment and accreditation during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun.

Fees

Description Costs
Course fee (with no assessment) £300.00
Assessment and Accreditation fee £60.00

Funding

If you are in receipt of a UK state benefit, you are a full-time student in the UK or a student on a low income, you may be eligible for a reduction of 50% of tuition fees. Please see the below link for full details:

Concessionary fees for short courses

Tutor

Dr Jan Cox

Dr Jan Cox has been awarded a BA (Hons) by Oxford Brookes University, an MA from Bristol, and a PhD from the University of Leeds (Nordic Art). He specialises in nineteenth-century European art and British art of the early twentieth-century.

Course aims

To explore the exhibition and reception of modern French art in Britain prior to 1914.

Course objectives:

  • To examine the art of the individual painters who exhibited at 'Manet and the Post-Impressionists'
  • To analyse the exhibition of modern French art in Britain prior to the First World War
  • To discuss the reception of this art and the role of British art collectors who bought it.

 

Teaching methods

This course will be taught seminar style with a variety of teaching methods including: 

  • Presentation of PowerPoint images and key texts to provide a stimulus to discussion.
  • Use of film to provide a stimulus for discussion and provide background information.
  • Case studies of specific artists 

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will be expected to:

  • possess a comprehensive knowledge of the art of the French Post-Impressionists
  • be able to analyse the reactions of both public and critics to its exhibition in Britain
  • have an understanding of the role of British art collectors

 

Assessment methods

Option 1:  2 essays of 750 words.

OR

Option 2: 1 essay of 1500 words with an optional 500 word formative essay plan.

Only those students who have registered for assessment and accreditation will submit coursework.

 

Application

To be able to submit coursework and to earn credit (CATS points) for your course you will need to register and pay an additional £60 fee per course. You can do this by ticking the relevant box at the bottom of the enrolment form or when enrolling online. Please use the 'Book now' button on this page. Alternatively, please complete an Enrolment form for short courses | Oxford University Department for Continuing Education

Students who do not register for assessment and credit during the enrolment process will not be able to do so after the course has begun. If you are enrolled on the Certificate of Higher Education you need to indicate this on the enrolment form but there is no additional registration fee.

Level and demands

The Department's Weekly Classes are taught at FHEQ Level 4, i.e. first year undergraduate level, and you will be expected to engage in a significant amount of private study in preparation for the classes. This may take the form, for instance, of reading and analysing set texts, responding to questions or tasks, or preparing work to present in class. No prior knowledge of these artists is necessary.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support