B7697 - Saperi e linguaggi di Storia dell'Arte 1

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student acquires: knowledge of a number of themes characterising the art history of the medieval West; develops the ability to critically examine artworks from the medieval West, placing them in the right historical-geographical coordinates, in relation to artistic trends and the religious, political and cultural needs of the period; acquires linguistic and communicative skills in the art-historical field from the perspective of school teaching.

Course contents

The course will focus on the historical-critical analysis of a number of artworks that are particularly illustrative of two decisive turning points for the pictorial creation of the medieval West, i.e. the crisis of ancient art and the birth of the new medieval language as well as the deep transformation of the medieval pictorial system from the second half of the twelfth century to Giotto. An in-depth study of characterising themes can thus be developed, also in the form of a seminar discussion.

Readings/Bibliography

Some useful introductory texts on art history are suggested, with a particular focus on the medieval period:

• Alexander, Jonathan J.G. 1992. Medieval Illuminators and Their Methods of Work, New Haven, Yale University Press.

• Bellosi, Luciano. 1990. The Complete Works of Giotto (1981), English translation. Florence: Scala.

• Castelnuovo, Enrico. 1960. "Visione e rappresentazione", "Metodi e problemi di storia dell'arte." In Civiltà nell'arte, 7-23, 206-240. Bologna: Zanichelli.

• Castelfranchi, Liana. 2019. L'arte medievale in Europa (1993), Milan: Jaca Book.

• Castelnuovo, Enrico, ed. 2004. Artifex bonus. Il mondo dell'artista medievale. Rome: Laterza.

• Collareta, Marco. 2024. Le radici dell'arte medievale. Dal paleocristiano al romanico. Turin: G. Einaudi.

• Crivello, Fabrizio, ed. 2006. Arti e tecniche del Medioevo. Turin: G. Einaudi.

• De Marchi, Andrea. 2025. L'arte del Quattrocento in Italia. 1400-1450. Turin: G. Einaudi.

• Enciclopedia dell'Arte Medievale. 1991-2002. 12 vols. Rome: Treccani.

• Kitzinger, Ernst. 1995. Byzantine Art in the Making (1977). Cambridge (MA): Harvard University Press.

• Kitzinger, Ernst. 1984. Early Medieval Art (1940). Bloomington (IN): Indiana University Press.

• Monciatti, Alessio. 2013. L'arte nel Duecento. Turin: G. Einaudi.

• Pächt, Otto. 1999. The Practice of Art History: Reflections on Method (1977), English translation. London: Harvey Miller.

• Pächt, Otto. 1994. Book Illumination in the Middle Ages: An Introduction (1984), edited by Dagmar Thoss and Ulrike Jenni. English translation. London: Harvey Miller.

• Piva, Paolo, ed. 2026. L'arte medievale nel contesto (300-1300). Funzioni, iconografie, tecniche (2006). Milan: Jaca Book.

• Piva, Paolo, ed. 2019. Arte medievale. Le vie dello spazio liturgico (2010). Milan: Jaca Book.

• Romano, Giovanni. 2001. “Una lezione per aspiranti storici dell’arte.” In L’intelligenza della passione: Scritti per Andrea Emiliani, edited by Michela Scolaro and Francesco P. Di Teodoro, 489-496. Bologna: Minerva Edizioni.

• Romano, Serena, ed. 2025. Arte medievale in Italia. Il "romanico". Secoli XI-XII. Rome: Carocci.

• Romano, Serena, ed. 2025. Arte medievale in Italia. Spazi e linguaggi visivi. Secoli V-X. Rome: Carocci.

• Sciolla, Gianni Carlo. 2010. Studiare l'arte. Metodo, analisi e interpretazione delle opere e degli artisti (2001). Turin: UTET.

• Tomasi, Michele. 2012. L'arte del Trecento in Europa. Turin: G. Einaudi.

Further bibliographical advice may be provided during the lectures.

Teaching methods

Frontal and participatory teaching lessons, supported by PPT images.

Assessment methods

Proficiency for the course will be determined by verifying the minimum attendance percentage. The assessment of learning will coincide with the final examination for obtaining the teaching qualification in the competition class of the training course, as outlined in Article 9 of the Prime Ministerial Decree of August 4, 2023.

Teaching tools

PPT presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Gianluca Del Monaco