73760 - Foundations of the Modern History of Art

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course the student should be able to orientate himself in the main problems and research paths of the art of these centuries, and to recognize and comment on the works of the outstanding artists of the different movements.

Course contents

The course is divided into two modules. The first focuses on the analysis of three major sixteenth-century mural painting projects: Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel, and Raphael’s Vatican Rooms.

The second part outlines the most significant developments in seventeenth-century art, from the naturalistic revolution introduced by the Carracci and Caravaggio to Baroque Rome, as well as the contribution made to seventeenth-century painting by major European artists such as Rubens, Velázquez, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. Special attention will be devoted to Guercino and his workshop, including studio practices and specializations, the role of documentary sources, and the findings of diagnostic investigations.

Readings/Bibliography

First part:

Michelangelo: il Giudizio Universale, di Fabrizio Mancinelli, Gianluigi Colalucci, Nazzareno Gabrielli, Firenze, Giunti 1994.

Raffaello a Roma : restauri e ricerche, a cura di Antonio Paolucci, Barbara Agosti, Silvia Ginzburg, Città del Vaticano, 2017.

Second part:

Tomaso Montanari, Il Barocco, Torino, Einaudi 2012.

Rubens e la nascita del barocco, a cura di Anna Lo Bianco, Venezia, Marsilio, 2016, catalogo della Mostra tenuta a Milano nel 2016-2017.

S. Salort Pons, Velázquez e l'Italia, in Velázquez, catalogo della mostra, Palazzo Ruspoli, Fondazione Memmo, a cura di Felipe V. Garín Llombart, Salvador Salort Pons, Milano, 2001, pp. 52-83.

Guercino nello studio, a cura di B. Ghelfi, R. Morselli, Dario Cimorelli Editore, Milano 2023.

Teaching methods

The course will be composed by lectures and group works.

Assessment methods

The final exam consists of an oral test. Discussion of textbook (the history of art from late Fifteenth to early Nineteenth century); one text chosen by the student among the optional essays.

In particular:

1. Those students who show developed analytical skills of selected readings and their correct contextualization within a complete vision of the issues discussed during lectures will be given a mark of excellence. Mastering of field-specific language and good expression during the examination will also be required (A =28-30 con lode).

2. Those students who show mnemonic knowledge of the subject and a superficial analysis of selected readings, as well as a correct but not always appropriate mastering of the field-specific language will be given a satisfactory mark (B = 25-27 and C = 23-24).

3. Those students who will show vague knowledge and superficial understanding of selected readings, limited analytical skills and a not always appropriate expression will be given a ‘pass’ mark roughly (D = 18-22).

4. Those students who show gaps in their knowledge and lack of familiarity with selected readings will not be given a ‘pass’ mark (E).

Teaching tools

Lectures with digital slides.

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 Barbara Ghelfi