Learn to look at Italian art: online art history lessons with a Rome-based curator

From 28 £ /h

I’m Eleonora, a curator, writer and art historian living in Rome. I’m currently completing my master’s degree in medieval art, but my curiosity goes far beyond it. I love modern and contemporary art too, and I’ve curated contemporary art exhibitions. My favorite thing is standing in front of a work, whether it’s a mosaic in Santa Maria in Trastevere or a contemporary installation, and slowly working out what it’s telling me.

That’s what I’d like to teach you. In my lessons we look at art together and ask simple questions: What am I looking at? How was this made? Why does it look like this, and not like the painting next to it? Little by little you start recognizing styles.

We can follow your interests: a city you’re about to visit, a period, a single artist, or the whole story. I share images on screen, we compare works side by side, and I’ll answer every “why” you have.
You don’t need any background. Some of my favorite conversations about art have been with people who’d never opened an art book.

Extra information

Lessons are on Zoom or Google Meet, in English or Italian. After each lesson I send you a short list of the works we looked at, so you can find them again (or see them in person!). If you’re planning a trip, tell me your itinerary and we’ll prepare for it together. Packages are available.

Location

Online from Italy

About Me

I grew up surrounded by art in Rome, and I still can’t walk past a church without going in. Before becoming an art historian, I spent years in the wine world as a sommelier, guiding guests from all over the world through tastings. That’s where I learned how much I love explaining things: watching someone suddenly notice a detail they’d missed is the best part. Lessons with me are relaxed conversations with a clear direction: by the end, you’ll look at art differently.

Education

Master’s degree in Art History (Medieval Art), Roma Tre University, in progress
Bachelor’s degree in Cultural Heritage – Art History, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 2026
Executive Master in Exhibition Design and Management, Treccani Accademia, 2026
Art Curating Course, RUFA University x DC Lab, 2026
Bachelor’s degree in Food Economics and Culture, University of Perugia, 2016

Experience / Qualifications

Curator of two contemporary art exhibitions in 2026, Postcards and Càmpora: curatorial texts, exhibition set-up and press
Founder and editor of Invisibilia, a newsletter on art, wine and visual culture, with interviews with collectors and art-focused wineries
Writer of in-depth guides on Italian art-historical itineraries for an international audience (Unexpected Italy)
Three years as Tasting Manager at a winery, hosting and guiding international guests
Certified sommelier

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Seniors (65+ years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Italian

Skills

Art history

Medieval history

Art

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -05:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Gemma

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Do you love Italian people, history, and food and you would like to speak the language?
I am a CEDILS-certified Italian teacher born and raised in Florence, and I've also been a language student myself for a long time! If you want to be able to interact with Italians quickly, I can give you some tips about correct pronunciation, fundamental grammar, and vocabulary, but also Italian art and popular culture, which I think is fundamental to understanding the mentality and the country that you are going to interact with.
Lessons will be tailored according to the student's needs, level, and mother language and focused on the conversation.

I am also available to proofread your writings.

Jaume

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I am a visual artist born in Barcelona, settled in Belgium since 2017. As an artist I have accumulated experience for the last 25 years. I am graduated with an Academic Bachelor in Fine Arts in the University of Barcelona and graduated as a Master in Visual Arts at Sint Lucas School of Arts in Antwerpen.

I am specialised in painting, drawing, experimental films, installations, language, sound and curating. In other words, I am a multidisciplinary artist.

I understand the artistic practice as a way to understand ourselves and the situations which surrounds us. In my classes I don't teach how to do Art, but as how to say something through your artistic work. With me you can work independently, with a coach who will challenge you with some assignments and giving feedback to your personal concerns.

In addition, you will learn how to work with several mediums, preparing your own material: paintings, canvases, and so on.

You will not only receive individual coaching but as encourage you to look other artists or take into account other references connected with your concerns.

Finding, discussing and retaking solutions together are the core of my classes.

Xingying

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Painting and drawing are not just techniques—they are also powerful tools for presentation, mediation, and self-expression. This class will guide you through the essentials of painting and drawing, covering foundational skills such as perspective, anatomy, and color theory, as well as techniques for analyzing and critiquing artwork.

From still life and portraiture to landscapes, abstract painting, and multimedia art, this course will support you in developing your unique visual language. Based on your individual goals and interests, I will create a tailored plan to help you achieve the best possible outcomes in your artistic journey.

Katarzyna

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Egg tempera is one of the most ancient historical art painting technique. It preserved as a main technique to paint orthodox religious icons. It is possible to learn it and paint your own icon. I have 12 years of practice teaching people how to do it. We work together step by step to understand the technique, the way to prepare wooden panel to paint an icon and the techniques of making a good project to make the icon fit to the board. We also learn how to make gold leaf layer on the halos. Your icon will be a real, crafted icon.

Idris

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I am an artist and philosopher from Amsterdam currently living in Antwerp. I studied in London where I acquired a BA from Art Academy London and a BA in philosophy from St Mary's University London.

Artistic development starts by identifying your artistic interest. As artists, we don’t always know why we draw and paint the things that we do. Yet they are not random. What captivates us or draws us towards certain artworks? This might be the tonal way in which light reflects, structural forms or mathematical division. The point being, is that we all have such aesthetic interests and step 1 is finding out what interests you!

Step 2 is helping you express your interests through painting techniques, styles and materiality. But it all starts with you. What do you want to say? And how? I will help you do this through discussion, looking at your previous work (if you have any), introducing you to a LARGE variety of artists, potentially copying their styles. I adjust my classes according to your needs.

The goal is simple: to come to understand your artistic interest, help you find techniques to express them and develop your artistic language.

(Please note that just because you have found an artistic interest and a way to express it, it does not mean that you must do only one thing for the rest of your life. It is the downfall of creativity to repeat and paint the same way over and over again. Instead, allow your interests to drive your creativity. Let it be the starting point, venture out and discover it from various angles and ways of expressing it. But also be mindful that as we grow our interests can change and as they change, we must remain honest and respond accordingly such that our artistic language can also grow.)

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to message me! I can tailor a class to your needs :)

Tahere

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Online University Art and Design Portfolio Preparation.

Are you applying to university for a creative subject?

I offer personalised one-to-one online portfolio mentoring for students applying to art and design courses in the UK and internationally.

I am an experienced art educator, graphic designer and researcher with more than 30 years of teaching experience. Most recently, I taught international students at EF Academy Oxford, supporting learners from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.

I am based in Oxford and can support students in university portfolio preparation to study Art, Graphic Design, Graphic Communication Design, Fashion Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Illustration, Photography, Textile Design, Product Design, Animation, Foundation Art and Design, and other creative programmes.

My guidance may include:

1- Developing original ideas and personal themes.
2- Strengthening sketchbooks and creative processes.
3- Developing creative ideas and experimenting with materials and techniques.
4- Strengthening drawing, painting, design and visual communication skills.
5- Selecting, refining and presenting work for university portfolios.
6- Personal-statement and interview preparation.
7- Understanding the expectations of UK art and design courses.

My approach is supportive, honest and individually tailored. I help students recognise what is already strong in their work and understand how to develop it further.

Portfolio preparation requires regular effort, so I work best with motivated students who are prepared to engage seriously with the creative process.

Online lessons are available internationally.

Leni

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Course: How to draw and think like an artist using the 10×10 method

Individual approach. 10 lessons over 10 weeks, 1 hour per week.
For beginners, busy people, and art university students with gaps.

Result: a foundation in classical and avant-garde drawing, structure, an understanding of contemporary art, experimentation, and authorial style. Learn not to copy but to think like an artist.

Курс: "Научу рисовать и думать как художник".
В основе обучения авторская методика 10×10 - обучение рисованию и развитие творческого мышления.

Индивидуальный подход. 10 занятий в течение 10 недель, по 1 часу в неделю.

Для начинающих, занятых людей и студентов творческих вузов, которым нужно закрыть пробелы в обучении.

Результат: база классического и авангардного рисунка, структура знаний, понимание современного искусства, готовность к экспериментам и развитие авторского стиля.

Вы учитесь не копировать, а думать как художник.

Robinson

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An approach based on the close study of sometimes little-known works to develop a solid artistic culture.
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Preparation for the École du Louvre entrance exam: Support in compiling the 35 works on the syllabus.
==> Methodology of the dissertation and the description of works of art.
Mock exams: suggested topics and corrections of assignments.
==> A personalized approach to success in April.

Lucas

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Learn digital sculpture with ZBrush through an artistic and practical approach.

These lessons are designed for artists who want to learn how to create characters, creatures, figures and original designs in 3D, whether your goal is concept art, character development, digital art or 3D printing.

Rather than simply learning software tools, we will focus on the artistic decisions behind a successful sculpture: form, anatomy, proportions, silhouette, shapes, design and how to translate an idea into a convincing 3D piece.

Depending on your goals and experience, we can work on:

• Digital sculpting fundamentals and ZBrush workflow
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• Preparing a sculpture for 3D printing when relevant
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The lessons can be adapted to beginners who are completely new to digital sculpture, as well as more experienced artists who want feedback and guidance to improve their work.

You can also bring your own character, concept or ongoing sculpture and we can develop it together during the lesson.

Michi

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Teaching through lectures and discussions accompanied by representative images from different periods of art history. We will discuss the composition of images, the main characteristics of different movements and styles, the meaning behind their iconography, and the historical context in which they emerged. We will discuss the history of Western art from antiquity to the present day. We won't limit ourselves to Europe! We will also discuss pre-Columbian and American art. My class is aimed at anyone interested in learning about art history, whether for personal enrichment or as a supplement to a school course.

Depika

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A great artist should be able to draw a wide variety of subjects with confidence and creativity. This includes drawing people with accurate features and expressions, creating beautiful landscapes with depth and detail, and illustrating flowers with delicate shapes, textures and natural beauty.

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With regular practice, students can improve their drawing techniques, build confidence and learn how to create artwork they are proud of.

Cedric

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Discover cinema from the inside, deepen your perspective as a spectator and develop your projects with the methods used in the professional world.

Do you want to improve your screenwriting skills, develop a film project, understand the mechanisms of your favorite works, or prepare for your future in cinema?

Whether you are a film buff, student, aspiring screenwriter or an experienced author, I offer private lessons tailored to your level, interests and ambitions.

As a graduate of ESRA Paris and a professional in film production and development, I draw on my experience with authors and my work at Somnivore Films to share the methods of analysis, writing and development that I use daily.
Courses tailored to your goals
Screenwriting and dramaturgy

From the conception of a story to its various rewrites, learn to master the mechanisms of cinematic writing: narrative construction, dramatic structure, character development, conflicts, dialogues, rhythm and progression of the story.

We can work on targeted exercises or directly on your own script, whether it's a short film, a feature film, or a series project.

For authors who already have a script, I also offer rewriting support: dramaturgical analysis, identification of narrative difficulties, search for solutions and deepening of artistic intentions.

Film analysis on demand: choose the films that fascinate you!

Have you always wanted to understand why a film moves you, fascinates you, or leaves you perplexed?

I offer sessions entirely devoted to the films of your choice.

We can explore their storytelling, their characters, their staging, their editing, their themes, or even the artistic choices that shape the viewer's experience.

The analysis can focus on an entire work, a particular sequence, or a question that interests you: Why does this scene work? How does the director build emotion? What does a film tell us beyond its plot?

The goal is to develop your ability to observe, interpret and argue your analyses, while exploring the works that truly interest you.

Analyzing the writing of a film: understanding the mechanisms of a screenplay

This approach is particularly aimed at writing enthusiasts, screenwriters, and people who want to understand how a cinematic narrative is constructed.

Using a film of your choice, we analyze its narrative architecture: exposition, conflict development, scene construction, character trajectories, dramatic twists and resolution.

We can study the intentions of the screenwriters, identify potential difficulties in the narrative and consider other writing possibilities.

This method allows you to acquire analytical reflexes directly applicable to your own scenarios.

Genre cinema: horror, fantasy, thriller and exploration of film genres

Genre cinema is one of my main areas of specialization, with a particular interest in horror, fantasy, and thrillers.

I offer sessions dedicated to the analysis of these universes and their narrative mechanisms: construction of suspense, management of fear, creation of an atmosphere, anticipation, surprise, subversion of conventions and spectator expectations.

How do you construct a truly terrifying scene? Why do some revelations work better than others? How do you renew the conventions of a genre without losing what makes it unique?

We can study existing films, explore a particular subgenre, or work on writing your own project.

This specialization is aimed at both film enthusiasts wishing to deepen their knowledge of genre cinema and authors eager to master its dramatic mechanisms.

Film development and production

How do you transform an idea into a project that can be presented to a production company?

Drawing on my experience in production and my work at Somnivore Films, I can help you understand the different stages of film development.

We can work on writing a synopsis, a treatment, a statement of intent, an artistic dossier or a pitch, but also address financing mechanisms, the search for producers and the organization of film development.

The support can be based on your personal project or take the form of an introduction to professional practices in the sector.

Documentary writing and development

Thanks to my specialized training in documentary filmmaking and my experience in this field, I also offer courses dedicated to the design of documentary projects.

Choosing the subject, research, defining an angle, constructing a point of view, documentary writing, preparing interviews, articulation between narration and filmed reality: we address the particularities of this cinematic form.

I can also assist you in writing a documentary development file.

Preparation for film schools and university support

Do you want to attend a film school or pursue film studies?

Having myself completed several university and professional training courses in this field, I can assist you in preparing your applications: compiling a file, presenting your projects, preparing for interviews and training for analysis or writing tests.

I also offer support to film students for their film analyses, dissertations, research papers and screenwriting exercises.
A teaching method directly informed by my professional experience
My approach is based on one conviction: the mechanisms of cinema are best understood when observed in action and when one learns to use them.

In my professional activity, I analyze scripts, identify their dramaturgical difficulties, support authors in their rewrites and participate in the development of projects intended to be presented to producers.

I apply this approach to my classes, combining explanations, film examples and exercises tailored to each student.

What happens during a session ?

We begin by identifying your expectations and the difficulties you wish to work on. Each lesson is then structured around a specific objective.

For a writing course, we can, for example, examine your storyboard, analyze the dramatic function of several scenes, rework a character, or compare different narrative solutions.

For a film analysis, we can start with a sequence, observe its construction and understand how the choices of writing, directing or editing guide our perception.

For project support, we work directly on your documents, with reasoned observations and suggestions for rewriting or development.

The sessions devoted to a particular film are prepared around a work and questions defined together beforehand.

I favour exchange and reflection: it is not about imposing a single interpretation or method on you, but about giving you the means to understand the possible choices, their consequences and their relevance according to your intentions.

You will therefore leave with knowledge, working methods and, where the course allows, concrete suggestions to continue your progress.
Who are my courses for?
My courses are open to all levels and different profiles:
- Film buffs and enthusiasts, wishing to deepen their understanding of films, explore film genres or discover the mechanisms of writing and directing.
- Beginners and aspiring authors, eager to learn to write, structure their ideas or develop a film project.
- Experienced screenwriters and authors, seeking an outside perspective on their work, dramaturgical support or tools to deepen their practice.
- Students and candidates for film schools, wishing to progress in their studies, prepare for admission tests or benefit from methodological support.
- Project leaders wishing to better understand the professional practices of film development and production.
You can come with a screenplay in progress, a film idea, a work you wish to analyze, a file to prepare or simply a curiosity for cinema.

Each course is built around what you want to learn, understand or develop, with support that takes into account your experience and objectives.

Rida

5.0

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Ever wanted to create those beautiful, intricate henna designs you see on hands? Why not turn that curiosity into a new artistic skill?
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Whether you're someone who loves art, is looking for a new hobby or simply wants to learn something different, this class is for you. No previous artistic experience is required, just curiosity and a willingness to create!

What will you explore?
1. Handling a henna cone and mastering basic strokes.
2. Creating different elements such as flowers, leaves, paisleys, swirls and patterns.
3. Exploring Indian, Arabic, Indo-Arabic and contemporary henna styles.
4. Learning how to combine individual motifs into beautiful, flowing designs.
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Francisco

5.0

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Looking to improve your results, prepare for university entrance exams, or ensure you pass your ESO and Bachillerato exams? I'll help you master these subjects in a clear, engaging, and structured way.
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Ameer

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I offer friendly and engaging online History lessons for students who want to understand the past in a simple and interesting way.

We will explore World History, Ancient History, Medieval History, European History, and important historical events through easy explanations, fascinating stories, examples, and discussions.

My lessons are student-friendly and designed according to each student's learning level. I use questions, revision activities, homework, and small research projects to make learning more effective.

Whether you want to improve your history knowledge, prepare for exams, or simply learn about the past, I will help you learn with confidence and enjoy every lesson.