90046 - Roman and Greek Archaeology and History of Art

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has knowledge of the composition, structure, properties and chemical transformations of the materials used for the realization of wall paintings and of the chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques for their characterization. In particular, it is able to: - know and classify pigments, binders, adhesive paints and their chemical transformations; - know the most useful diagnostic techniques for the characterization of the aforementioned materials.

Course contents

The program of the course will follow a precise chronological order, divided into two modules: the first will deal with the origins of Greek culture figurative (IX-VIII century BC.), and then proceed to the definition of monumental sculpture and architecture in the Archaic period (VII-VI century BC., with the problem of the temple and the organization of spaces and public buildings in cities and sanctuaries). The classical period (V century BC.) occupy the central part of the course, while the Hellenistic age (IV-I century BC.) will mark the transition to the Roman world. The second module will be mainly dedicated to the culture of the Roman civilization, will analyze the Republican era in the light of the main themes of figurative art (portrait, historical reliefs, the first examples of wall painting in Rome and in the cities of the Vesuvius area) and the formation of the main architectural structures (organization of space in the fora, religious and civil buildings, domestic architecture). The Imperial Age, then, will be analyzed in the light of specific "interpretations" of issues such as developments already in place for the Republican age, which will be added the study of representative art forms related to the different ideologies of the empire. Specific attention will be devoted to so-called "plebeian art " and the phenomena of local and figurative cultures of the middle classes of society.
A laboratory (16 hours of practical) will complete the preparation of the student through a study technician also some concrete examples of documents mural painting and / or other artifacts recovered during archaeological excavations, with whom the student will have a first contact, then be finalized with internships and workshops site.

Readings/Bibliography

Besides the class notes, for the exam is required reading at least one of the following proposals of manuals:

- T. HOELSCHER, L'Archeologia Classica. Un'introduzione, Roma 2010;

- J. BOARDMANN (a cura di), Storia Oxford dell'arte classica, Roma-Bari (con ristampe)

- G. BEJOR, M. CASTOLDI, C. LAMBRUGO, Arte greca. Dal decimo al primo secolo a.C., Milano 2008 + R. BIANCHI BANDINELLI, L'arte romana nel centro del potere, Milano (con ristampe)

- A. GIULIANO, Storia dell'arte greca, Roma 1993 (con ristampe) + M. TORELLI, M. MENICHETTI, G. GRASSIGLI, Arte e archeologia del mondo romano, Milano (con ristampe)

- A. GIULIANO, Storie dell'arte greca, Roma 1993 (con ristampe) + M. PAPINI, Arte romana, Milano 2016 (con ristampe)

- E. LIPPOLIS, G. ROCCO, Archeologia greca. Cultura, società, politica e produzione, Milano-Torino 2011 + M. PAPINI, Arte romana, Milano 2016 (con ristampe)

Teaching methods

The course is given with 40 hours of lectures related to historical and cultural problems of the classical Greek and Roman world, to which are added 16 hours of workshop dedicated to private homes and to the pictorial and floor decoration of domestic environments. Each lesson will be accompanied by a large array of images that will then be provided to students in the sharing spaces on https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Assessment methods

The test will consist of an oral exam, which aims to evaluate the acquisition of basic knowledge in the field of archeology and the history of Greek and Roman art. Particular attention will therefore be paid to the solidity of the geographical and chronological framework of each site and each monument. The acquisition of specialized language will be evaluated very positively. The purpose of the exam is also to verify the methodological and critical skills acquired by the student. Given the importance of class attendance, the following evaluation parameters will be adopted for attending students and for non-attending students.

Attending students

The student's ability to actively participate in the lessons will be assessed: these skills, combined with the achievement of a thorough understanding of the subject dealt with during the lessons, with the demonstration of critical sense and with adequate verbal means of expression, will be evaluated with the maximum scores (27-30 with laude). Attendance to lessons, associated with a predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course subject and with not fully satisfactory verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with a score between good (24-26) and satisfactory (21-23). Attendance to lessons, associated with minimal acquisition of the course subject and inadequate verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with sufficient scores (18-20). The absence of a minimum acquisition of the course subject combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with insufficient score, which involves repeating the exam.

Non-attending students

Non-attending students will be assessed above all on the ability to use the bibliography and multimedia tools provided to properly expose the course contents. This ability, combined with the achievement of a thorough understanding of the subject covered during the lessons, with the demonstration of critical sense and with adequate verbal expression means, will be evaluated with maximum scores (27-30 with laude). A predominantly mnemonic acquisition of the course subject, with not fully satisfactory verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with a score between good (24-26) and satisfactory (21-23). A minimum acquisition of the course subject, with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with sufficient score (18-20). The absence of a minimum acquisition of the subject of the course combined with inadequate verbal expression and logical skills, will be evaluated with insufficient score, which requires the repetition of the entire exam.

Teaching tools

The lessons will make extensive use of illustrative material, such as plants, patterns, reproductions of objects and works of art. It also provides direct visit to collections and collections of works of art in museums and collections. If resources permit, it will be possible to arrange short study trips to archaeological sites and exhibitions. It will also offer the opportunity to the students of the course to take part in archaeological excavations directed by the course teachers in Italy and elsewhere in the classical world.

Office hours

See the website of Giuseppe Lepore