Learn from the masters

If your travel plans allow you to experience some of the world’s great museums, why not do some pre-gallery preparation? You’d have a greater appreciation for that Picasso if you knew a little more about his techniques and motivation. Books are an option, but a course — either in person or online — can help make your meanderings more meaningful. This winter, Brookline Adult & Community Education (617-730-2700, www.brooklineadulted.org) is offering ‘‘Picasso Explored,’’ which looks at his life, works, and style with students of all abilities. The Cambridge Center for Adult Education (617-547-6789, www.ccae.org) has a course on ‘‘Renowned Masters of the Italian Renaissance,’’ featuring Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Titian. Many museum websites can provide a head start. The Museum of Fine Arts (617-267-9300, www.mfa.org) offers online tours, including background on recent exhibits. The museum also has podcasts to take around the museum or on a jog around the block. Among the options: a look at early 1600s paintings by El Greco and Velázquez and at art of the Empire style during Napoleon’s reign.