Detail from Vincent van Gogh, 'Sunflowers', 1888

Part of our series of courses, thinking about art: Philosophical approaches to art history.

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In this second session, with Vanessa Brassey, we will start by examining the seemingly straightforward assumption that artworks can embody emotions such as sadness, happiness, or melancholy. How is it possible for a picture to be sad (or happy) when having or expressing emotions presupposes the existence of a mind? 

In addition to exploring various historical theories and recent neuroscience findings, by using the philosopher's toolkit, we will form our own opinions on how certain cherished works from the Gallery's collection appear to encapsulate and evoke a spectrum of emotions. 

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