78047 - History of Medieval and Modern Architecture (1)

Course contents

Tools and methods for Renaissance Architecture in Bologna

The course’s goal is to expose students to Renaissance Architecture’s methods, research tools 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.

Lectures are based on the students active and constant participation in class.

After two 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 typical issues of Architecture historiography 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 final paper thought, laid out and crafted as a true book under any aspect, to be submitted one week before grade registration.

Attendance, active and lively participation in class is the most important requirement in order to pass the Laboratory or to get a grade in the final exam for students of the History of Architecture course.

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

First week: Introduction

1. Bologna from the Bentivoglio Signoria to the Papal State

2. Organization of the groups and topics assignment

3. Walking tour among a selection of Bolognese architecture and tools and methods of analysis in situ

Second week: Bibliography on the buildings and the patronage

4. Group presentation

5. Group presentation

6. Group presentation

Third week: Archival research

7. Group presentation

8. Group presentation

9. Group presentation

Fourth week: The building

10. Group presentation

11. Group presentation

12. Group presentation

Fifth week: Final presentation

13. Group presentation

14. Group presentation

15. Group presentation

 

List of buildings

- Palazzo Bolognini

- Palazzo dei Drappieri

- San Giovanni in Monte

- Oratorio dello Spirito Santo

- San Giacomo, portico

- Palazzo Sanuti Bevilacqua

- Portico del Baraccano

- Madonna di Galliera

- Palazzo del Podestà

- Portico di San Bartolomeo

- Palazzo Fantuzzi

- Palazzo Albergati

- Palazzo Dal Monte

- Palazzo Bocchi

- Cappella Ghisilardi a San Domenico

- Palazzo Bentivoglio a via Belle Arti

 

 

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
• F. Benelli, Il palazzo del Podestà di Bologna nel Quattrocento. Storia e architettura, in Nuovi antichi, Milano 2004, pp. 67-119.
• M .Ricci, Bologna e Carpi, in Storia dell'architettura italiana. Il primo Cinquecento, a cura di A. Bruschi, Milano 2002, pp. 306-312.
• V. Rubbi, L’architettura del Rinascimento a Bologna, Bologna 2010

Teaching methods

Attendance is strongly recommended and a lively and active participation in class is mandatory. 

Office hours

See the website of Francesco Benelli