12113 - History of Medieval Art (1)

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course students will have a grasp of certain points, such as periodization of the middle ages and medieval art, materials and how they were used, relations with the ancient world, the medieval artist’s workshop and how to interpret artworks. They will know about turning-points in medieval art history and be familiar with original artworks. They will have a basic knowledge of art events in the medieval period, and possess the means for interpreting artistic phenomena. They will appreciate the importance of the art-history heritage and be able to talk about it in appropriate terms. They will be able to describe and illustrate specific instances of cultures meeting and understand multicultural contexts in light of products of material and artistic culture. They will also learn to listen, understand and debate respectfully with different cultures and viewpoints, spotting the tie-ups among different disciplines.

Course contents

The course will address the principal developments of medieval art history from the Late Antiquity to the late Gothic age, with particular attention to historical and cultural contexts, the functions of images, and the relationships between the visual arts, architecture, and liturgy. The following topics will be examined in particular: the crisis of ancient art; Early Christian art; the Romano-barbarian kingdoms; the Carolingian and Ottonian periods; the Romanesque age; and the Gothic age. Through the analysis of major monumental complexes, significant works, and leading artists, the course aims to provide students with the basic tools necessary for the recognition, historical contextualization, and periodization of medieval works of art, while also introducing the principal issues of iconography, iconology, and art historiography.

Readings/Bibliography

ATTENDING STUDENTS

Lecture notes and materials uploaded to the Virtuale platform.

Reference textbook:

S. Settis, T. Montanari, Arte. Una storia naturale e civile, vol. 2, Dall’Alto Medioevo alla fine del Trecento, testi di C. Franzoni, Torino, Einaudi Scuola, 2019.

Mandatory supplementary reading:

E. Castelnuovo, Introduction, in Artifex bonus. Il mondo dell’artista medievale, Bari, Laterza, 2004, pp. V–XXXV.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

S. Settis, T. Montanari, Arte. Una storia naturale e civile, vol. 2, Dall’Alto Medioevo alla fine del Trecento, testi di C. Franzoni, Torino, Einaudi Scuola, 2019.

E. Castelnuovo, Introduction, in Artifex bonus. Il mondo dell’artista medievale, Bari, Laterza, 2004, pp. V–XXXV.

One monograph chosen from the following list:

E. Castelnuovo, Arte delle città, arte delle corti, Torino, Einaudi, 2009;

H.I. Marrou, Decadenza romana o tarda antichità, Milano, Jaca Book (any edition);

H. Belting, Il culto delle immagini. Storia dell'icona dall'età imperiale al tardo Medioevo, Roma, 2001 (orig. ed. 1990);

J. von Schlosser, L’arte del medioevo, Torino, Einaudi (any edition);

G. Duby, C. Frugoni, Mille e non più mille. Viaggio tra le paure di fine millennio, Milano, Rizzoli, 1999;

M. Pastoureau, Storie di pietra. Timpani e portali romanici, Torino, Einaudi, 2014;

L. Bellosi, Giotto, Firenze, Scala, 1981 (and subsequent reprints);

M. Collareta, Le radici dell’arte medievale, Torino, Einaudi, 2024;

L’arte medievale nel contesto 300-1300. Funzioni, Iconografia, Tecniche, edited by Paolo Piva, Milano, Jaka Book, 2006 (essays by Gandolfo, Cadei, Piva, Zanichelli, Christe, Iacobini, Geymonat, Piva, Scirea);

U. Eco, Arte e bellezza nell'estetica medievale, Milano, Gruppo editoriale Fabbri-Bompiani-Sonzogno-ETAS, 1987 (and subsequent editions);

A. Barbero, C. Frugoni, Medioevo, Storia di voci, racconto di immagini, Editori Laterza, Roma-Bari 1999.

Teaching methods

lectures with seminar sections and the use of powerpoint presentations

Assessment methods

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ATTENDING STUDENTS

The examination will be oral and will focus on the general methodological issues addressed during the lectures, the reference textbook, and the supplementary reading.

Assessment will take into account, in particular, the student’s ability to orient themselves within the topics discussed and the bibliographical material, in order to extract useful information and to illustrate themes and problems while establishing connections among them.

The following will therefore be evaluated:

- Mastery of course contents;

- Ability to synthesize and analyze themes and concepts;

- Ability to express oneself appropriately and with discipline-specific terminology.

NON-ATTENDING STUDENTS

The examination will be oral and will focus on the mandatory readings listed in the bibliography. Assessment will take into account, in particular, the student’s ability to orient themselves within the subject matter and the bibliographical material, in order to extract useful information and to illustrate themes and problems while establishing connections among them.

The following will therefore be evaluated:

- Mastery of course contents;

- Ability to synthesize and analyze themes and concepts;

- Ability to express oneself appropriately and with discipline-specific terminology.

During the academic year 2026/2027, examination sessions will be held in the following months:

May, June, July, September, October, November, December, January (2028), February (2028), and March (2028),

for students with pending examinations / for all students.

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.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Examinations: Artificial Intelligence (AI) may be used as a support for independent study, providing opportunities for further exploration, synthesis of content, and self-assessment. However, the use of AI during in-person examinations is strictly forbidden. Any such use will be considered a breach of academic integrity and will be treated accordingly.

 

Teaching tools

Powerpoint provided by the professor.

Office hours

See the website of Laura Pasquini