Short course

Connoisseurship summer school: who painted what, when and how to tell

1 July 2025 10am - 5pm2 July 2025 10am - 5pm3 July 2025 10am - 5pm4 July 2025 10am - 5pm5 July 2025 10am - 5pm

The Benjamin West Lecture Theatre | Burlington Gardens

£1,800. Includes all materials, light refreshments each day and drinks receptions throughout the week.

Friends of the RA book first

Join renowned art dealer and historian Dr. Bendor Grosvenor, for a week-long summer school on connoisseurship: the art of authenticating and dating paintings.

Connoisseurship – the ability to tell which artist painted a painting, when they painted it, and how – is a crucial skill in the art world, one that can make or break reputations. In this week-long summer school, Dr. Bendor Grosvenor, along with art historians, dealers and curators, will explore the process.

Through analysis of artworks, hands-on experience, access to old master paintings, and site visits around London, course participants will learn how to identify the authors of objects and assess their quality: is it an original, a copy, or even an outright fake? You will be guided in how to assess the quality, significance, authenticity and provenance of a work of art, using both traditional and the latest scientific techniques.

Participants will be introduced to the history, criticism and evolution of connoisseurship as well as current best practice - bringing this art historical method up-to-date. In recent years, new approaches to connoisseurship have developed in response to its historical association with the art market and idea of “taste”. Exploring this criticism, you will uncover how connoisseurship is now being used as a way to rebalance the canon, discovering previously overlooked works by female and other underrepresented artists.

Above all, the course encourages confidence, knowledge and curiosity when looking at artworks. No prior knowledge is required but debate and discussion are encouraged.

If the course is sold out, please contact public.programmes@royalacademy.org.uk to join our waiting list.

Minimum age 18. Please note this course will include some site visits, and as such some walking. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to discuss any accessibility needs, please contact public.programmes@royalacademy.org.uk.

Terms and conditions

£1,800. Includes all materials, light refreshments each day and drinks receptions throughout the week.

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