Looking to learn something new, be inspired, or to simply enjoy looking at wonderful images of art and discovering intriguing facts and stories. The new art history courses beginning on 19 January both live in person at the Drill Hall Chepstow, and live online with popular Monmouthshire lecturer Eleanor Bird are for the pure enjoyment of looking and learning – definitely no homework involved!

Medieval Mysteries will shine a light on the Dark Ages, exploring the artistic world from the 5th to the 15th centuries in ten 2 hour weekly lectures (with a half term break) at the Drill Hall on Monday afternoons from 2-4pm, or online on Wednesday mornings with catch up recordings available for all for any missed lectures.

Find out what happened after Rome fell and classical art and architecture disappeared for a thousand years. Discovering the shimmering golden Byzantine mosaics, intricate patterns and pictures of Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and the powerful sculpture and architecture of the Normans to the glories of Gothic with its soaring cathedrals, rich tapestries and glittering stained glass. This is a chance to dive into the lesser known artistic delights of the medieval world, all set in their historical context.

There's also an opportunity to take an introductory course in Art History focusing on The Early Renaissance the innovative period that defined artistic development in the Western world for the next 400 years. In 10 one hour lectures online on Monday evening 7-8pm, Eleanor Bird will introduce the wonderful art and architecture of 15th century Italy with its exciting new realism and brilliant colour and the contrasting art of Northern Europe in all its intricacy and emotional intensity.

Booking for all courses online with CHACE, Chepstow Arts, Culture and Entertainment at https://chepstow-arts-culture-and-entertainment-society.square.site/