27154 - Art Seminar (1)

Course contents

The seminar’s goal is to expose students to Renaissance Architecture’s methods, research tools, writing and aims through the study of a selection of Bolognese architecture conceived and built during the Bentivoglio signoria and the following period under which the city was conquered by the Papacy.

The seminar is based on the students active and constant participation in class and the outcome is a book on a bolognese Renaissance building. 

After three introductory classes on Renaissance Bolognese architecture as well as how History of Renaissance Architecture was produced in modern times, students divided into study groups, will focus on a single Bolognese Renaissance building.

Every week each group will focus on a chapter of the book and present their work in class with a Powerpoint presentation (which should not exceed 25/30 minutes per group). Fundamental is the criticism, suggestions, observations given by the non-presenting groups that for this reason should attend class even when not presenting.

Each presentation should be written and collected at the end of the semester in a book format to be submitted one week before the grade is registered.

Attendance and active and lively participation in class is the most important requirement in order to pass the seminar.

Topics presented in class:

• Bibliographic research on the building and patronage
• Quick archival check on the published documents
• In situ presentation of the building
• Final Presentation

Class schedule 

Classes start 10 minutes after the hours and end 5 minutes before the hours

First week: Introduction

1. Introductory lesson on Italian Renaissance Architecture. Organization of the groups and topics assignment
2. Bologna from the Bentivoglio Signoria to the Papal State.
3. Lesson on Historiography and research tools.

Second week: Bibliography on the buildings and the patronage

1. Group presentation
2. Group presentation
3. Group presentation

Third week: Archival research

1. Group presentation
2. Group presentation
3. Group presentation

Fourth week: The building

1. Group presentation
2. Group presentation
3. Group presentation

Fifth week: Conclusion

1. Discussion on historiographic methods
2. Visit to San Petronio Museum
3. Conclusion

Readings/Bibliography

• F. Malaguzzi Valeri, L’architettura a Bologna nel Rinascimento, Rocca San Casciano, 1899
• R. Tuttle, Bologna, in Storia dell’architettura italiana. Il Quattrocento, a cura di F.P. Fiore, Milano 1998, pp. 256-271
• M .Ricci, Bologna e Carpi, in Storia dell'architettura italiana. Il primo Cinquecento, edited by A. Bruschi, Milano 2002, pp. 306-312.
• F. Benelli, Il palazzo del Podestà di Bologna nel Quattrocento. Storia e architettura, in Nuovi antichi, Milano 2004, pp. 67-119.
• V. Rubbi, L’architettura del Rinascimento a Bologna, Bologna 2010

Teaching methods

ON LINE: The seminar will be fully taught online via Microsoft Teams. In case the COVID-19 emergency will decrease and in compliance with the University rules, classes of the last week will be taught outside, in front of the buildings.

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Benelli