29006 - Forms and Functions of Medieval Art (1) (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, students will have acquired knowledge of the history of Medieval art. In this course students explore issues related to figurative systems (painting, sculpture, arts and crafts) implemented between the 5th and the 15th Century in Italy and in the whole Europe. These systems relate to and have been shaped by religious requirements, political and cultural factors. The course shall therefore provide students with all the transversal skills necessary to read the artistic phenomenon in its many components.

Course contents

The Painting of the Medieval West and Byzantium

The Medieval Art A exam consists of the following two modules: Forms and Functions of Medieval Art (Professor del Monaco) and Medieval Art in Europe (Professor Massaccesi). Medieval Art A is an integrated 12-credit exam (6+6 credits) for which the verification and assessment of preparation follow the procedures envisaged for an integrated exam. The modules may not be taken in the same session.

This course will explore the various stages in the long history of Western art's engagement with the pictorial tradition of the Greek Eastern Mediterranean during the Middle Ages, from the pre-iconoclastic era to the eve of the 13th century. A key symbolic event to stop at is the capture of Constantinople by the Crusaders in 1204. The lectures will focus primarily on paintings, ranging from monumental contexts to manuscripts. However, other media will also be referenced where necessary, such as ivories, coins, sculptures made from various materials, enamels and textiles.

Readings/Bibliography

For attending students:

1. To gain a more informed understanding of the course contents, it is recommended that you review (or study from scratch) a Western art history textbook relating to the medieval centuries (Late Antiquity to Late Gothic, 4th–15th centuries). The following is particularly recommended:

• De Vecchi, Pierluigi, and Elda Cerchiari. Arte nel tempo. 6 vols. Milan: Bompiani, 1991 (and subsequent editions). Relevant sections: vol. 1.1 (from p. 240), vol. 1.2 (entire volume), and vol. 2.1 (up to p. 42).

Any updates can be found in the more recent but less comprehensive textbook:

• Bertelli, Carlo. Invito all’arte. 5 vols. Milan: Pearson/Bruno Mondadori, 2017. Relevant sections: vol. 1 (from p. 242) and vol. 2 (entire volume).

2. It is required to prepare the following reading in addition to the notes taken in class and the lecture PPTS:

• Demus, Otto. Byzantine Art and The West. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1970.

3. It is required to prepare one among the following readings or group of readings:

• Bacci, Michele. “L’arte: circolazione di modelli e interazioni culturali.” In Storia d’Europa e del Mediterraneo, 15 vols., edited by S. Carocci, Section IV: Il Medioevo (secoli V–XV), vol. IX (2007), Strutture, preminenze, lessici comuni, 581–632. Rome: Salerno, 2006– .

• Bertelli, Carlo. “Dietro la pittura italiana, Bisanzio.” In La pittura in Italia. Il Duecento e il Trecento, edited by E. Castelnuovo, vol. II, 541–546. Milan: Electa, 1986. Cutler, Anthony. “La ‘questione bizantina’ nella pittura italiana: una visione alternativa alla ‘maniera greca’.” In La pittura in Italia. L’Altomedioevo, edited by C. Bertelli, vol. II, 335–354. Milan, 1994.

• Kitzinger, Ernst. “The Byzantine Contribution to Western Art of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries.” Dumbarton Oaks Papers 20 (1966): 25–47. Weitzmann, Kurt. “Various Aspects of Byzantine Influence on the Latin Countries from the Sixth to the Twelfth Century.” Dumbarton Oaks Papers 20 (1966): 1–24.

For non-attending students:

1. It is required to prepare the readings recommended to attending students at point 1.

2. It is required to prepare the readings listed for attending students at point 2.

3. It is required to prepare two among the readings or group of readings listed for attending students at point 3.

Teaching methods

Frontal and participatory teaching lessons, supported by PPT images, possibile visits to collections in Bologna and/or other Italian cities.

Assessment methods

Written test: The exam will include a written test prior to the oral test, which has to be taken on the same day as the oral test. You will be asked to recognise 10 images taken from the indicated textbooks and ranging from Late Antiquity to Late Gothic. (4th–15th centuries) The images may also be just details. Each image can be awarded a maximum of three points.

Even if the test is negative, it will not prevent access to the oral examination, but it will affect the final grade:

• from 0 to 10: A maximum grade of 24 can be achieved with an excellent oral test.
• from 11 to 18: A maximum grade of 26 can be achieved with an excellent oral test.
• from 19 to 25: A maximum grade of 28 can be achieved with an excellent oral test.
• from 26 to 30: A maximum grade of 30L can be achieved with an excellent oral test.

The written test is unique to the integrated examination as a whole.

Oral test: attending students should discuss one of the PPT slides presented in class without captions and examine the listed readings; non-attending students should deal with the listed readings.

Grading scale for the final mark:

• 18–19: Knowledge of a very limited number of topics covered in the course; analytical skills emerge only with the instructor’s guidance; overall correct use of language.

• 20–24: Knowledge of a limited number of topics covered in the course; independent analytical skills demonstrated only in purely procedural matters; correct use of language.

• 25–29: Knowledge of a broad range of topics covered in the course; ability to make independent critical analyses; solid command of subject-specific terminology.

• 30–30L: Substantially comprehensive knowledge of the topics covered in the course; ability to make independent critical analyses and connections; full command of subject-specific terminology and strong skills in argumentation and self-reflection.

 

N.B. The final mark for the integrated exam will be an approximate average of the marks of both modules.

 

Students with learning disorders and\or temporary or permanent disabilities: please, contact the office responsible (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students) as soon as possible so that they can propose acceptable adjustments. The request for adaptation must be submitted in advance (15 days before the exam date) to the lecturer, who will assess the appropriateness of the adjustments, taking into account the teaching objectives.

Teaching tools

PPT presentations (made available on Virtuale at the end of the course).

Office hours

See the website of Gianluca Del Monaco