85186 - History of Artistic Literature

Learning outcomes

The course deals with the history of art histories, that is to say, deepen the knowledge of what is discussed and diffused through the written form in the cultural and social environment of the artist, at different times, taking into account that every example of artistic literature is the result of a complex process of reflection and is filtered by the dominant thinking currents. At the end of the course, the student achieves a good level of knowledge of the fundamental texts produced by artists, scholars and philosophers and acquires the indispensable tools for framing artistic production over time and in different places.

Course contents

The course will be related to the debate on conservation and restoration in the Enlightenment, addressed through the artist's epistolaries and in the main biographical works.

Therefore, ways and methods of approach to the biographical and theoretical literature, and the use of ancient sources will be illustrated.

Readings/Bibliography

O. ROSSI PINELLI, ed., La storia delle storie dell'arte, Piccola Biblioteca Einaudi, Torino 2014, pp. 28 - 179, 398 - 490

G. P. BELLORI, Della riparazione della galleria del Carracci nel Palazzo Farnese, e della loggia di Rafaele alla Lungara, Roma 1696, in R. Varoli Piazza, a cura di, Raffaello. La Loggia di Amore e Psiche alla Farnesina, SilvanaEditoriale, Milano 2002, pp. 340 - 345

L. CRESPI, Lettere di L. G. al sig. conte Francesco Algarotti (1756), in G. G. Bottari, Raccolta di lettere sulla pittura, scultura, architettura (Roma 1756-1783), ed. Milano 1822, vol. III, pp. 387 - 417, 419 - 443

F. ALGAROTTI, Lettere di F. A. al Dottor Bartolomeo Beccari (1744), ibidem, vol. VII, pp. 363 - 369, 369 - 371, 405 - 408 

Non-attending students are required to prepare, in addition to the texts indicated above:

P. L. PANZA, Antichità e restauro nell'Italia del Settecento. Dal ripristino alla conservazione delle opere d'arte, Franco Angeli, Milano 1990

Teaching methods

The lectures will be accompanied by visits to churches and museums that hold works that were the object of the observations of the intellectuals whose thought will be retraced.

Assessment methods

Learning will be verified through an oral interview aimed at recognizing the actual preparation of the student on the topics discussed in the lessons, the texts in the program, the critical skills acquired during the course of study and the methodology learned from the investigation of the ancient sources.

The interview will focus on what was discussed in class and what has been learned by the student with the independent study of the texts in the program.

Teaching tools

PC, video projector, slide projector.

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Biagi