SUMMER SCHOOL- Art & Bible
SUMMER SCHOOL ART & BIBLE
Explore scriptures through the lens of Art and History in the heart of France
This 10-day summer school offers an immersive educational experience combining biblical studies, art history, and cultural heritage in the historic setting of Angers, in the Loire Valley. Designed for students and lifelong learners, the programme connects Scripture with artistic traditions through lectures, workshops, and on-site visits.
REGISTRATION
Deadline : avril 30, 2027
Why join this programme ?
A transdisciplinary teaching team, bringing together experts in Art History and Biblical Studies to offer complementary perspectives and foster meaningful dialogue across disciplines
A one-of-a-kind summer programme that combines diverse fields of expertise providing participants with a distinctive and intellectually enriching learning experience
Rich in historical heritage, ideally located near Paris and well connected to major European cities, Angers offers an exceptional opportunity to combine academic learning, cultural exploration, and international exposure.
Learning beyond the classroom, with carefully curated site visits, museum tours, and excursions that bring course themes to life through direct engagement with art, history, and cultural heritage
Entry level
Type of program
Degree upon completion
Study area
Type of degree
Work-linked training courses
Campus
Tuition fees
Options
Program
Certification
- Entirely delivered in English
- Up to 6 ECTS credits (subject to approval)
Academic content
Each day includes approximately 5 hours of teaching delivered by specialists in art history and biblical studies:
- Introduction to the Old and New Testaments
- Biblical themes and figures in Western Art
- Intertextual readings of Scripture across Jewich ad Christian traditions
- Key elements of Biblical Hebrew and Greek along with an overview of other alphabets used in early versions (Aramaic, Coptic, Ethiopic, Armenian)
- The role of images in theology and liturgy
- Art as a form of biblical interpretation
The course is structured around three key strands:
Biblical Foundations
- A comprehensive introduction to the structure and content of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament)
- An overview of the New Testament: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, the Pauline Epistles, and the Book of Revelation
- A critical examination of the transmission, compilation, and historical interpretation of scripture.
Religious Art and Iconography
- Central themes in Christian art: Creation, the Late Prophets, the Incarnation, the Passion, the Resurrection, and the Apocalypse
- Depictions of biblical figures: Abraham, Moses, Job, Daniel, Jonah, David, Christ, Mary, and Paul
- The Bible’s influence on medieval visual culture: from Illuminated manuscripts to monumental art (tapestries, sculpture)
- Theological significance and liturgical function of religious imagery
Biblical Languages – First Encounter
- Introduction to Biblical Hebrew and Koine Greek: Developing the ability to recognize key terms and expressions
- Exegetical reading of selected biblical passages (e.g., Genesis 1, Psalm 23, John 1, Revelation 21)
- Analysing the role of language in shaping theological meaning and its implications in the process of translation
Schedule
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation, Evening guided tour of historic Angers
Day 2: The Hebrew Bible: Themes and Images
Day 3: The Hebrew Bible: Themes and Images (cont’d)
Day 4: The Gospels and Acts in Text and Image
Day 5: The Book of Revelation in Context: The Apocalypse Tapestry
In-situ study session in front of the Tapestry (Castle of Angers)Day 6: The Bible and Monastic Culture
Full-day excursion to the Abbey of Fontevraud and Saumur castleDay 7: Writing, Scripture, and the Ancient World
Day 8: Louvre Visit: Ancient Writing and Biblical Imagination, Full-day excursion to the Louvre museum
Day 9: Biblical Reception and Modern Art
Day 10: Programme Wrap-Up
For which profiles ?
Undergraduate or graduate students in theology, religious studies, art history, Classics, or cultural heritage programmes or participants with an interest in the Bible and visual culture
Good to know
- Open to all from 18 years old
- Teaching 100 % in English
- No prior knowledge of biblical language
- Interdisciplinary programme
- Up to 6 ECTS Credits
Program fee
Program fees : 3200€
Program fee includes :
- the full academic programme and materials
- excursion and visits
- lunch on weekdays (monday to friday)
- accommodation
Additional participant expenses
Participants should plan additional personal expenses, including:
- Transportation and local travel
- Visa and health insurance
- Weekend activities and leisure expenses
- Meals (except for lunch on weekdays)