Schools
Tower of London and the National Gallery AS/A2-level History of Art study days
Tickets: £10 per student
An exciting opportunity for students and teachers to closely engage with two great artworks of the 14th century and learn from the experts who care for them.
Historic Royal Palaces Tower of London and the National Gallery have teamed up to offer your students a unique study day designed specifically to support the existing AQA A-level History of Art syllabus.
The study day
Students will be introduced to two rare surviving works of art made in England in the 14th century during the reign of Richard II:
The Byward Tower wall painting at the Tower of London
'The Wilton Diptych' at the National Gallery
Tower of London
Students will have exclusive access to the Byward Tower which is not currently open to the general public. Here, students will view the wall painting in situ where they will begin to piece together the story of this rare installation. Investigative skills will be strengthened as students begin to discuss and develop a contextual understanding of why and how it was painted.
National Gallery
The day continues at the National Gallery with a close viewing of the Wilton Diptych and a discussion in comparison with other paintings in the Gallery’s collection. Students will then explore the techniques of pigment mixing through practical demonstrations in the Education Centre's Creative Space.
A plenary at the end of the day will recap on how to apply the considered examples and relevant skills to study and exams.
Curriculum links
AQA AS and A2
Unit 2 HART2 – Themes in History of Art: Subjects and genres, materials, techniques and processes, form and style, historical and social contexts, patronage
Unit 4 HART4 – Investigation and Interpretation: Art and Architecture in thirteenth- and fourteenth-century Europe
Further information and booking
Find out more about the History of Art study day in association with the National Gallery.
Book your place by phone, fax, email, or via the online booking form. Full details about the three-step booking process are available at the Historic Royal Palaces booking page.