School of Art History Online Lecture Series: Athletics & Aesthetics -- Sport in Art History From Ancient Greece to modern spectacle: the visual culture of the Olympic Games
This new School of Art History Online Lecture Series is an exploration of the history of golf in Scotland told through the collections of The R&A World Golf Museum and The Royal & Ancient Golf Club. Explore the dynamic intersection of art and sport in this six-week series, where art history meets athleticism. From golf to rugby, cycling to the Olympics, discover how artists have captured the energy, grace and cultural impact of sport across centuries.
Each week features an expert-led lecture followed by a live audience Q&A, offering a unique opportunity to dive deeper into the stories behind the artworks. Brought to you by the University's School of Art History in collaboration with The R&A World Golf Museum, this thought-provoking series offers fresh perspectives for art lovers, sports fans and curious minds alike.
From Ancient Greece to modern spectacle: the visual culture of the Olympic Games will examine how the Olympics, a symbol of global unity and athletic excellence, have served as a unique platform for cultural expression and how the merging of sports and art reflect broader issues of cultural identity, nationalism and commercialisation. From ancient Greek victory statues to contemporary digital spectacles, visual art plays an essential role in enhancing the Olympic experience and contributes significantly to the identity of the Olympic Games. Looking at an array of works, such as photographs, posters, medals, pottery, and architecture, this lecture will demonstrate how intertwined are the Olympic Games with human creativity and cultural expression
Dr Lenia Kouneni is an Associate Dean for Education and Senior Lecturer at the University's School of Art History. Her primary research interests are centred on the reception of antiquity, women travellers and the history of archaeology
The other events in the series are:
- Painted Links: an exploration of the history of golf in Scotland told through the collections of The R&A World Golf Museum and The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews
- State propaganda through art and sport in fascist Italy
- Cycling in Modern and Contemporary Art
- Oval balls and cubist players
- Women in sport in art
Each week in the series there will be a lecture from 2pm to 3pm, followed by a half hour question and answer session. The series costs £120 with a special rate for R&A members, R&A staff, and University of St Andrews staff and students of £90. Please book your tickets online through the University Shop.
Image credit: St Andrews (Railway poster), Reginald Higgins, circa 1925. Reproduced by kind permission of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.