B5345 - Theory and philosophy of images (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires theoretical, methodological and historical-critical awareness of the strategies and issues implied in artistic and symbolic representation. In particular, he/she is guided to 'read' images and symbols as an expression of the correlation between ideas, concepts, styles, theoretical and technical achievements in view of a representation and formalisation of reality. The intent is not only to initiate an articulate reading of artistic production by placing it in relation to the precise historical-social-cultural context within which it took shape, but also to recognise in the image and the symbol an essential element and medium of cultural and intellectual history between the Middle Ages and21th century.

Course contents

The course examines Albrecht Dürer's series of self-portraits, from the youthful drawing of 1484 (Vienna, Albertina) to the Self-Portrait as an Ill Man (1512–1514, Bremen, Kunsthalle). Drawing upon Dürer's theoretical writings and the distinctive use of inscriptions accompanying his self-portraits, the course investigates the artist's evolving perception and awareness of the self as expressed throughout his oeuvre, as well as the continuously changing relationship between self-representation and his theoretical conception of painting.

Particular attention will be devoted to the following self-portraits, which will be analyzed in relation to Dürer's paintings, prints, and theoretical writings:

• Self-Portrait at the Age of Thirteen, Vienna, Albertina, 1484
• Self-Portrait with a Flower, Paris, Musée du Louvre, 1493
• Self-Portrait with Gloves, Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, 1498
• Self-Portrait in a Fur-Trimmed Robe, Munich, Alte Pinakothek, 1500
• Self-Portrait as an Ill Man, Bremen, Kunsthalle, 1512–1514

Readings/Bibliography

The five self-portraits can be seen at the following links:

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Self-portrait_at_13_by_Albrecht_Dürer.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8c/Self-portrait_at_13_by_Albrecht_D%9Frer.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Albrecht-self.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Dürer%2C_Albrecht_-_Self-Portrait_%28Madrid%29_-_1498.jpg

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Dürer_-_Selbstbildnis_im_Pelzrock_-_Alte_Pinakothek.jpg

https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Albrecht_D%C3%BCrer_-_Self-Portrait_as_the_Man_of_Sorrows_-_WGA07108.jpg

Students are suggested to read:

E. Panofsky, The Life and Art of Albrecht Dürer, Princeton (1955) 2005
- A. Angelini, Lo spazio di van Eyck e le forme di Dürer, in Matematica e immaginazione nel Rinascimento, Milano 2017, cap. III.

Further insights on iconology and iconography:

- E. Panofsky,Studies In Iconology: Humanistic Themes In The Art of The Renaissance, Oxford, 1939.
- E. H. Gombrich, Symbolic Images: Studies in the Art of the Renaissance, London 1967
-C. Ginzburg, Da A. Warburg a E. Gombrich. Note su un problema di metodo, in Miti emblemi spie. Morfologia e storia, Torino, 1986
- J. Bialostocki, Iconografia e iconologia', in Enciclopedia universale dell'arte, VII, Firenze 1958
- C. Cieri Via, Nei dettagli nascosto. Per una storia del pensiero iconologico, Roma 1994
A. Angelini, Oltre il mondo che vediamo. L'immagine dell'infinitop tra Cusano e Leonardo, Firenze, 2025

Teaching methods

15 lectures
During the class, significant texts and images relating to the topic will be presented, read and commented on, and then published among the unibo teaching materials.
It is recommended to regularly consult the teacher web page on which any information and changes useful to those attending the course will be uploaded.


Attending students can agree with the lecturer before the end of the course on individualised work on specific topics.

Assessment methods

Oral examination: Students are recommended to bring the texts when examining.The interview focuses mainly on analysis and critical interpretation of the sources.
Students who have attended lectures may agree on exams (whether written or oral) devoted to specific topics.

Assessment criteria and thresholds of evaluation:

30 cum laude - Excellent as to knowledge, philosophical lexicon and critical expression.

30 – Excellent: knowledge is complete, well argued and correctly expressed, with some slight faults.

27-29 – Good: thorough and satisfactory knowledge; essentially correct expression.

24-26 - Fairly good: knowledge broadly acquired, and not always correctely expressed.

21-23 – Sufficient: superficial and partial knowledge; exposure and articulation are incomplete and often not sufficiently appropriate

18-21 - Almost sufficient: superficial and decontextualized knowledge. The exposure of the contents shows important gaps.

Exam failed - Students are requested to show up at a subsequent exam session if basic skills and knowledge are not sufficiently acquired and not placed in the historical-philosophical context.

Teaching tools

At the conclusion of each 'chapter' of the course (every 3-6 lessons) the topics and issues addressed will be summarised and outlined through short presentations accessible online.

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.

 

Office hours

See the website of Annarita Angelini