Modern Western Art Course: Explore Movements & Artists with Prof. Soumik Nandy Majumdar
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 50 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 1 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Feb 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Introducing Modern Western Art: A Journey Through Movements and Masters
How did art transform from realistic depictions to abstract expressions that challenged the very definition of creativity? The story of Modern Western Art is a thrilling saga of innovation, rebellion, and profound cultural change. We are excited to introduce a comprehensive 4-week online course, Introducing Modern Western Art: Movements and Artists, designed to unravel this fascinating narrative.
Led by an esteemed expert, this course offers a chronological exploration of the ideas, artists, and movements that forever altered the visual landscape. Whether you're an art student, enthusiast, or professional seeking deeper insight, this program provides a structured and engaging pathway into the heart of modern artistic expression.
Your Expert Instructor: Prof. Soumik Nandy Majumdar
Gain knowledge directly from a distinguished academic and practitioner in the field.
- Position: Assistant Professor, Department of History of Art, Kala Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, Santiniketan.
- Experience: Former Visiting Faculty in Fine Arts at IIT Kanpur.
- Qualifications: BFA (Santiniketan) and MFA in History of Art (M.S. University, Baroda).
- Expertise: Specializes in teaching art history, art appreciation, criticism, and curating, with active research in art education.
Prof. Majumdar brings a wealth of academic rigor and passionate teaching to guide you through the complexities of modern art.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
This 4-week course is structured to build your understanding from the ground up, exploring how modern art continuously redefined itself in terms of idea, medium, technique, and social relevance.
| Week | Module Title | Key Focus Areas |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introducing Modern Western Art | Foundations, context, and the break from tradition. |
| Week 2 | Early Movements of Modern Art | Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, Fauvism, Expressionism. |
| Week 3 | Evolution of Modern Sculpture | From Rodin to abstraction and new materials. |
| Week 4 | Modern Movements in mid-20th Century | Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract Expressionism, and beyond. |
Who Should Enroll?
- Intended Audience: Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) students.
- Disciplines: Ideal for students of Art History, Fine Arts, Visual Studies, Humanities, and Social Sciences.
- Industry Support: The course is highly relevant for professionals and institutions including Universities, Museums, Art Galleries, and Cultural Organizations involved in teaching, researching, or curating modern art.
Essential Reading and Resources
To complement the lectures, the course references seminal texts in art history. Students are encouraged to explore these for deeper study:
- The Story of Art by E. H. Gombrich (Phaidon, 1995)
- Art Through the Ages by Helen Gardner et al. (Wadsworth, 2004)
- Modern Art 1870-2000: Impressionism to Today by Hans Halzworth (Taschen, 2016)
- Modern Art: A Very Short Introduction by David Cottington (Oxford, 2005)
- Concepts of Modern Art (World of Art Series) by Nikos Stangos (Thames & Hudson, 1994)
- The Shock of the New by Robert Hughes (Thames & Hudson, 2004)
Why Study Modern Western Art?
Modern art did more than create new styles; it changed how we see the world. This course will help you:
- Understand the philosophical and social drivers behind major art movements.
- Identify key artists and decode the meanings in their groundbreaking works.
- Appreciate the radical shift in materials and techniques, especially in sculpture.
- Gain a critical framework to analyze modern art's lasting impact on global culture.
Join us for this immersive 4-week journey to discover the movements and masters who dared to see the world differently and, in doing so, changed art forever.
Enroll Now →