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

Academic Year 2020/2021

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Visual Arts (cod. 9071)

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

The exam Arte Medievale B (Medieval Art B) is formed by two different sections: Storia della Miniatura (History of Illumination, prof. Fabrizio Lollini) e Contesti e Significati dell'Arte Medievale (Context and meaning in Medieval Art, prof. Fabio Massaccesi). Arte Medievale B is an integrated course for 12 CFU (6 CFU+6 CFU), and both the exam and the evaluation of the student must follow the official patterns of an integrated course; the two sections must consequently be taken in the same 'appello' (day of exam), and students must so register in the lists of both.

For History of Illumination lessons will be divided in two sections. 

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 “Illumination in the Malatestiana Library in Cesena”.

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. together with their personal notes, students will study (a) a selection of papers and entries of the catalogue Malatesta Novello magnifico signore, a cura di P.G. Pasini, Bologna 2002, pp. 32-65 and 211-282, and will carefully consult (b) the Open Catalogue of Malatestiana Manuscripts, http://catalogoaperto.malatestiana.it .

Students who will not attend classes will study texts (1), (2) and (3) for section (I); for (II), they will study a broader selection of the same catalogue (a), pp. 32-65 and 71-282, and they will also be asked to consult with great attention (b) the same Catalogo Aperto dei Manoscritti Malatestiani, http://catalogoaperto.malatestiana.it .

The abovementioned books (2) and (3) can be found in our Department library, and in many other libraries, and are also present in bookshops and in the on line market. Section (1) of I, and (a) of II will be given to students during lessons. The catalogue (b) of II is open access on line.

As a Medieval Art exam in a MA, a general knowledge of the subject is taken for granted; if not, the study of a handbook (the so-called 'manuale') for the period IV-XV century is required.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons, according to the traditional method: the teacher will always be present personally in the indicated classroom during this teaching activity. The students will alternate their presence, according to a schedule of shifts being defined (more detailed information regarding the shifts and about the modalities to get access to the classroom lessons will be provided soon). It will always be possible to connect remotely and to follow live lessons via the online platform TEAMS. 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