Jean-Paul Sartre’s existentialism influenced and inspired a generation of post-war intellectuals and artists. In the centenary of Sartre’s birth, this course introduces the key existentialist themes of anguish, abandonment, despair and contingency, together with Sartre’s own account of art and the imagination. Participants will have the opportunity to explore parallels and resonances between selected works of art in the Tate Collection and the ideas of one of the twentieth century’s most celebrated philosophers. The set book for the course is Jean-Paul Sartre: Basic Writings, edited by Stephen Priest (Routledge, 2001). This will be provided free to all students. The course also includes evening access to the Tate Modern Collection displays.

Nigel Warburton is author of many books including The Art Question and Philosophy: The Basics.

Tate Modern Seminar Room
£70 (£48 concessions), booking required

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