Symbolism of non-Western art
Online course
6 lessons
NL
N.B. This course is taught in Dutch.
In this course Symbolism of Non-Western Art, you will be introduced to the symbols and meaning of art from Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The meaning of images we see in the West is usually rooted in Christianity or the mythology of the Greeks and Romans. They are images to which we are accustomed. It is different for representations from Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism or ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia, for example. This is why lecturer Barry Heinrichs introduces you to the images and symbols of these religions and cultures. Think of the Islamic Alhambra, Persian and Ottoman book and tapestry art; Buddhist temples and monasteries, the many gods and heroes of Hindu art; the hieroglyphs and gods of Ancient Egypt and the mythological reliefs of Mesopotamia. In the final lesson, they come together nicely and Barry also shows you the similarities with our Western art. The format of the lessons is as follows:
- Introduction & Egyptian symbolism
- Mesopotamia, Sumeria, Akkad, Assyria, Persia
- Islam
- Buddhism
- Hinduism
- Interesting exceptions and hybrid forms
How does that work online?
You take this course online from your own computer or tablet. All you need is a good internet connection and sound. Teacher and images will appear on your screen automatically. If you cannot attend 'live', you can watch the replay afterwards. Registration is therefore still possible until after lesson 2 of the course.
Free trial lesson
Want to know if this course and taking it online is for you? You can take lesson 1 of this course as a free trial lesson without any obligations. You can register for this free trial lesson directly via the button below.
Course details
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Lecturer of this course
Barry Heinrichs
Barry Heinrichs is an art historian. Driven by a curiosity for what moves artists, for the unknown and the anomalous in art, Barry Heinrichs has developed over the years into an all-round art historian who gives lectures and courses, organises guided tours and guides art tours that deal with all topics within the field of art history - ancient, modern and contemporary - and especially the connection between them.
Recommended literature
Should you wish to delve further into the subject of this course, we recommend the following books. This is not compulsory literature for the course.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need any prior knowledge to take a course?
No, most of KLU’s online art history courses do not require any prior knowledge. The courses are aimed at adults with an interest in art and culture, even if they have not previously studied art history.
Are you completely new to art history? Then this course is Introduction to Art History a good place to start. You can also filter our course listings to show introductory courses.
What exactly does the taster lesson involve?
The taster lesson is the first lesson of a course, which you can attend free of charge and with no obligation. There’s no commitment: afterwards, you decide for yourself whether you want to take the full course. You can sign up for a taster lesson via the course page. An overview of all current taster lessons can be found at klu.nl/free-trial-lesson.
Please feel free to sign up for a free taster lesson, so you can see for yourself whether the course is right for you.
What do students appreciate about KLU?
What students particularly appreciate about KLU is the combination of academic rigour and accessibility. Complex subject matter is made easy to understand whilst maintaining a high standard – that is what sets KLU apart.
The tutors are consistently praised: they are knowledgeable, enthusiastic and have an engaging teaching style. Course participants say that after every lesson they look forward to the next one and that the knowledge really sticks.
KLU also scores highly in practical terms: the ease of catching up on sessions, the handouts and the good value for money are frequently mentioned. And perhaps the best side effect of all: after the course, participants pack their bags, visit museums with a fresh perspective or discover a new hobby.
You can read all the reviews at klu.nl/reviews.
If I’m unable to attend one or more of the class dates, can I still take the course?
Yes, even if you miss a live class, you can watch it later on KLU. After each class, you’ll automatically receive a link to the recording by email. It’s valid for 14 days, and you can watch the recording as often as you like.
Many students even complete the entire course via the recording. This means you don’t need to be present on the scheduled date to complete the full course.
Dutch 
English