The Foreign Invention of British Art

Traditional stories about the origin and direction of British art have long obscured foreign influence on its development. To coincide with the launch of a major new book, published by Thames and Hudson, we invite you to join us on an exciting and revelatory investigation into the foreign influences on art in Britain.

Led by the book's author, Leslie Primo, we will see how the notion of an exceptional or exclusive British culture has obscured the diversity of influences on British art, looking at both foreign artists working in Britain and British-born artists affected by foreign cultures.

From Hans Holbein to Artemisia Gentileschi and William Hogarth, familiar masters and lesser-known creators are situated within the multiculturalism inherent to, yet commonly dismissed by, the art world at this time.

Weaving together artists’ experiences of both acclaim and adversity, The Foreign Invention of British Art not only demonstrates how immigration and diversification were so often the driving force behind creative innovation, but also reveals the true heritage behind some of the nation’s most well-loved artworks.

The course is not just an opportunity to discover the extraordinary history of British art, but the diverse influences that have impacted British art and made it the vibrant and diverse phenomenon it is today.

Term dates

•  Summer Term: week beginning 27 April 2026 until week ending 19 June 2026

For course content enquiries: Contact Leslie Primo at l.primo@imperial.ac.uk

For enrolment and booking enquiries: Contact Christian Jacobi at c.jacobi@imperial.ac.uk

Class Recordings

These classes are not recorded

Attendance Certificate

Successful completion of this course leads to the award of an Imperial College attendance certificate

Terms and conditions apply to all enrolments to this course. Please read them before enrolment