Scandalous Paintings Through History




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ClassGraphic Why do some paintings elicit public outrage and challenge our notions of what is considered art? If you love looking at paintings and want to explore their impact and the artists' motivations then this study group is for you! We will analyze and interpret paintings that were met with controversy in their time. For example, Caravaggio was accused of blasphemy for his painting The Death of the Virgin; Goya was criticized for his graphic depiction of war's brutality in The Third of May; and Sargent's Madame X was seen as a challenge to society's standards of modesty. Each week we will explore two paintings and focus on how the public's reactions were affected by societal norms, political climate and religious beliefs. We will also explore the artists' purposes in creating these paintings - were they challenging the accepted techniques and styles of the day, were they trying to shock for shock's value, or were they making political and social commentary? An online article or e-book selection will be listed on the syllabus for each week's paintings. The syllabus will also be posted on our MYOLLI. We look forward to lively and stimulating discussions!

Class Details

14 Session(s)
Weekly - Tue

Location
Wieboldt Hall

Instructor
Timothy Atkins 

Tuition:  $0.00

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Schedule Information

Date(s) Class Days Times Location Instructor(s)
9/8/2026 - 12/8/2026 Weekly - Tue 01:15 PM - 03:15 PM Chicago, Wieboldt Hall  Map Timothy Atkins