A-Level History of Art

Award: A-Level 

Awarding Body: Edexcel

Specification Code: 9HT0

Specification Website: Edexcel A-Level History of Art

Institution: Westside

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The study of art in its historical and contemporary forms gives students crucial knowledge of world civilisations. It gives students visual and analytical skills that can be applied in many walks of life and the tools to understand how images and objects work to shape our social and political identities. This specification allows students to develop particular strengths and interests, encourages lifelong learning and provides access to higher education and university degree courses in art history and related subjects, as well as art historical-related and other careers. Students should be encouraged to research and investigate art through first-hand experience.

The subject content is divided into three areas:

• • A: Visual analysis

  • B: Themes

  • C: Periods.

Qualification aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

• • engage actively and independently in historical, theoretical and critical study of art

  • be encouraged, where possible, to research and investigate art through first-hand experience of works of art

  • understand the relationship between society, culture, technology, politics and art

  • understand the ways in which art has been used and interpreted by past and present societies

  • understand the influences on, and contributions of, artists

  • know key art historical terms, concepts and issues

  • understand how visual language is used by artists to communicate ideas, including formal characteristics, materials, techniques, and processes

  • be able to analyse and make critical judgements about art

  • use evidence to substantiate structured arguments about art

  • study a sufficient range of artists and works of art to ensure an appropriate depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding of specified movements/periods and themes.

Knowledge and understanding

All students must develop the ability to apply their knowledge and understanding in evidenced, structured arguments across all investigation areas. These cover:

• • art historical terms and concepts

  • influential artists and art of key historical movements, periods, styles and types of art

  • changes in art over time, including: the influence of cultural, social, political and technological factors on relevant works of art, artists and movements/periods

  • significant developments in materials, techniques and processes and how they have contributed to changes in art

  • ways in which art has been used and interpreted by past and present societies

  • influences of prior art movements/periods on artists and works

  • critical texts that discuss specific artists’ work, their contributions and influences

  • the impact of exhibition/gallery and curatorship choices on the reception of works of art

  • how original and subsequent environments and settings contribute to the impact of works of art and architecture.

All A Level specifications must require students to study:

• • appropriate terminology, visual language and concepts to communicate knowledge, understanding and interpretation of formal features and their effects or intentions 

  •  knowledge and understanding of developments in art and connections between movements/periods in the context of specified Themes, including at least two works by three specified artists 

  • knowledge and understanding of artists and works of art representative of two specific Periods, including at least three works by two specified artists 

  • works representing the different types of art (painting/2D, sculpture/3D and architecture) 

  • at least one critical text relevant to each Theme/Period, artist and/or work studied 

  • impact and influence of curatorship, setting and environment, both original and subsequent, to the overall impression of works of art. 

Visual Analysis in painting, sculpture and architecture is covered in the first year.

Themes covered in the first year will be:

• • B2 Identities in art and architecture 

  • B3 War in art and architecture 

Periods covered in the Second year will be:

• • C1: Invention and illusion: the Renaissance in Italy (1420–1520) 

  • C5: Pop Life: British and American contemporary art and architecture (1960–2015)

Paper 1

• 3 Hours

• 50% of A-Level

• Content Covered:

  • Visual Analysis

  • B2 Identities in art and architecture 

  • B3 War in art and architecture 

Paper 2

• 3 Hours

• 50% of A-Level

• Content Covered:

  • C1: Invention and illusion: the Renaissance in Italy (1420–1520) 

  • C5: Pop Life: British and American contemporary art and architecture (1960–2015)