73759 - Foundations of the Medieval History of Art

Learning outcomes

At the end of this course students possess a basic knowledge of European and Byzantine Art between the fourth and the fifteenth century. They should also acquire the tools for reading a work of art from a stylistic and iconographic point of view, with reference to the historical context.

Course contents

The course of History of Medieval Art includes two modules, which cover the evolution of medieval art as it developed in the West and in the Roman East, that is Byzantium. A module is dedicated to Byzantine art, from its first formation at the dawn of the foundation of Constantinople in 330 until the fall of the city into Ottoman hands in 1453. It will outline the major developments of Byzantine art giving the basics for a more detailed study. However, the course also aims at igniting a reflection upon one’s own cultural identity as well as on the components of our culture. The readings should be also intended in relation to this personal research.

Lectures will center on mural decoration, particularly on mosaic and painting and their technique, researching the esthetical and cultural motivations that brought about the conspicuous changes happened during the middle ages.

During this course several topics that relate medieval art to contemporary cultures will be addressed seeking for categories that will help us to clarify our own point of view. Moreover, we will explore the value of single objects of medieval art as epistemological metaphors. Upon receiving their degree, students will be asked to fulfill duties, whose consequences entail particular responsibility. This should be done respecting the conservation of the examined or restored objects, of the cultural notions regarding those, and of the historiography that transmits such notions. Equally important is also our own culture, which will inevitably work as a filter during the process of acquiring and elaborating such knowledge.

Readings/Bibliography

- N. Frapiccini, N. Giustozzi, Le storie dell’arte, edito da Hoepli Scuola, voll. A e B;

AND

- R. Cormack, Byzantine Art, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2000

OR

- C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, Introduzione all'Arte Bizantina. IV-XV secolo, Roma, CLEUP, 2012 (it can be found at CopyArty (Via Angelo Mariani, 22/A) or on the web pages AMS Campus - Materiali Didattici dell'Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna: Dispense 1-8).

Further readings will be provided during the course.

Teaching methods

Generally, lectures will take place in class with the aid of visual materials. Occasionally lectures may take place in situ, with a direct discussion of certain works of art and in collaboration with collaboration with other colleagues.

Assessment methods

The final examination will verify the fulfillment of the following learning objectives:

• knowledge of the topics and of the critical methodology discussed in class or studied in the literature;
• ability to use critical tools when examining a given image;
• ability to understand one's own critical opinion in relation to the historiographical debate. This ability is based on the assumption that our critical opinion is inevitably conditioned by our cultural views.

The exam will be exclusively in the form of an oral examination, which is evaluated in %30. It will be based on the images discussed in the books provided in the reading list or in class. Students should identify the works of art, demonstrate an understanding of their chronological, geographical and historical context, discuss their relationship with other works of art. For this reason, students are expected to bring their own books on the day of the exam.

Following the Alma Mater's guidelines, notably:

• the demonstration of an organic vision of the themes addressed in class or in books indicated in the reading list as well as of the critical use, command of oral expression and specific vocabulary, will be assessed with marks of excellence (28-30).
• mechanical and/or mnemonic knowledge of the subject, scarce ability of synthesis and analysis and/or the use of a correct but not always appropriate vocabulary will lead to discrete assessments (23-27).
• training gaps and/or inappropriate vocabulary - even in conjunction with a minimal knowledge of the subject - will lead to marks that will not exceed the minimum grade (18-22).
• training gaps, inappropriate vocabulary, lack of command of the bibliography discussed within the course will lead to negative evaluations.

Teaching tools

Exam materials and further readings can be found on AMS Campus - Materiali Didattici.

Office hours

See the website of Alessandro Volpe

See the website of Maria Cristina Carile