96401 - Phenomenology of Medieval and Early Modern Art. Laboratory (M-Z)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the laboratory the student: is able to analyze the complexity of the meaning of art; through the analysis of the way historiography discloses its achievements comprehends how, at different levels, medieval and early modern painting, sculpture, and architecture can help his/her own enhancement, can implement the quality of life as well as provide tools for professional improvement.

Course contents

I. The first part of the course will deal with the history of the museum phenomenon and the origin and topicality of art exhibitions.

2. In the second part, given the laboratory character of the teaching, the students will be sent to practical experiments.
Divided into groups of about 10 people each, they will have to proceed with the design of a medieval / modern / contemporary art exhibition based on their interests and what they learned in the first part of the course. The results of the group work will be exposed in the classroom.

Readings/Bibliography

1. F. PIRANI, Che cos'è una mostra d'arte, Carocci Editore, Roma 2019.

2. R. LONGHI, Mostre e musei (un avvertimento del 1959), in Critica d'arte e Buongoverno 1939 - 1969, Opere Complete, vol. XIII, Sansoni, Firenze 1985, pp. 59 - 74.

2. O. ROSSI PINELLI, Mostre di ricerca e collaborazioni scientifiche, in Effetto Mostre. L'organizzazione delle mostre in Italia e all'estero, Edifir edizioni, Firenze 2009, pp. 197 - 200.

For non-attending students, the study of the following book is also required:

4. F. HASKELL, Antichi maestri in tournée: le esposizioni d'arte e il loro significato, Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa 2001.

Teaching methods

The course will make use of power point presentations too, that will be made available to the students at the end of the course.

Subject matter specialists will intervene with face-to-face or remote lessons, depending on their availability.

Visits to restoration laboratories and museums or art galleries are planned.

Assessment methods

The examination of Phenomenology of Medieval and Modern Art consists of two courses: Phenomenology of Medieval and Modern Art, held by prof. Andrea Bacchi and the Laboratory, by Prof. Donatella Biagi Maino.

It is a 12 CFU exam (6 CFU + 6 CFU) for which the verification and evaluation of the preparation follow the procedures provided for an integrated exam.


For students who have attended the course and participated in the realization of a project, this work will be valid as an exam for a percentage of 60% of the final result, which will be achieved with the discussion, in an oral interview, of the indicated texts in the bibliography.

For non-attending students, the exam will focus on the proven knowledge of the texts indicated in points 1, 2, 3, 4.

Verification of learning takes place only through the oral exam, aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and critical skills acquired by the student in the training course.

The interview will focus on what was discussed in class (for those attending) and on the learning and understanding of the texts indicated in the bibliography.

The mastery of the contents, the adequate expression and the appropriate vocabulary for the subject as well as the ability to synthesize and analyze the concepts discussed in class will be assessed.

The understanding of the problems connected to the phenomenology of art history as well as the in-depth knowledge of the texts in the program will be evaluated with excellent marks.

The only mnemonic knowledge of the subject, the capacity for synthesis and analysis not correctly developed in an adequate language will lead to discrete evaluations.

Training gaps or the lack of an appropriate vocabulary, poor knowledge of the analysis tools and of the problems related to what is planned will lead to only sufficiency.

Poor knowledge of the texts in the program, inadequate vocabulary, lack of understanding of the criticality of the topic will be evaluated negatively.

Teaching tools

Power point presentations.

Office hours

See the website of Donatella Biagi