90604 - History of the Miniature (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will acquire knowledge of the history of miniature, with particular attention to book illustration in medieval and renaissance ages. In particular, students will acquire methodologies and skills to understand and analyse issues concerning the function, patronage and production of miniatured books related to their different uses both in secular and liturgic contexts (hymn books, bibles, prayer books, literary and scientific texts), the relation between text and image, ancient heritage, and the relation between miniatures and contemporary monumental painting.

Course contents

Lessons will be divided in two sections. In the first one (I) we will consider problems of method in history of illumination: birth and devolpment of the subject in Italy, working tools, description of illuminated manuscript, relationship text / image, two-dimensional vs three-dimensional vision, iconographic patterns and their transmission, contracts, technique. In the second one (II) the case study will be “The illuminated choral book”, and will study (II.a) both the tipologies of illuminated choral books (antifonal, gradual, and others) and (II.b) some of the most important series of XV century production in Emilia and Romagna (Bessarion, Bologna’s Saint Petronius, Ferrara Cathedral, Cesena Cathedral).

Readings/Bibliography

students who will attend classes must study:
I. together with their personal notes: (1) the entries of the section “Miniatura”, written by F. Lollini, C. Quattrini and F. Tasso, in Arti minori, a cura di C. Piglione e F. Tasso, Milano 2000, pp. 186-249; (2) O. Pächt, La miniatura medievale, Torino different editions; and (3) J.J.G. Alexander, I miniatori medievali e i loro metodi di lavoro, Modena different editions
II. their personal notes, together with the chapter dedicated to the choral books of Ferrara Cathedral, in Museo della Cattedrale di Ferrara. Catalogo generale, a cura di B. Giovannucci Vigi e G. Sassu, Ferrara 2010 (pp. 146-188)
students who will NOT attend classes:
I. the entries of the section “Miniatura”, written by F. Lollini, C. Quattrini and F. Tasso, in Arti minori, a cura di C. Piglione e F. Tasso, Milano 2000, pp. 186-249; (2) O. Pächt, La miniatura medievale, Torino different editions; and (3) J.J.G. Alexander, I miniatori medievali e i loro metodi di lavoro, Modena different editions
II. five studies from Il codice miniato in Europa. Libri per la chiesa, per la città, per la corte, edited by G. Mariani Canova and A. Perriccioli Saggese, Padova 2014

The abovementioned books can be found in our Department library.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons. We will also try to organize outdoor visits.

Assessment methods

Oral examination, with three questions on points I and II of the program. For students who will have attended classes, questions will be based on specific topics about issues and bibliography discussed during lessons (I), and on stylistic identification, and both formal and iconographic analysis of materials studied in classes (II). For students who will have NOT attended classes, the exam will be based on questions connected with subjects and topics included in the above mentioned texts.

I would like to put in evidence that, if a student fails the exam, as this class is joint as a 'corso integrato' to the other "Contesti e significati dell'arte medievale" class, taught by Fabio Massaccesi, he / she will have to repeat both the exams.

Teaching tools

Powerpoints.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Lollini