OVERVIEW

The course provides the basic knowledge to understand the historical evolution of artistic techniques from the Middle Ages to the 18th century from the point of view of design and operational procedures and the use of materials.  The technical art history plays a central role in the field of cultural heritage because it provides the skills to understand how artistic objects have been created over the centuries, with a view to conservation and enhancement matters. 

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course describes operational methods in individual art forms in their historical evolution from the middle ages to the end of the modern era, with particular reference to the issues of work organisation and dissemination of models. 

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The course illustrates the history of the main art techniques, on the basis of written sources and data from technical-scientific investigations. Particular attention will be given to the techniques of painting on walls, panels and canvases and to those of drawing. The possibilities and limits of technical examination will also be illustrated and discussed, in order to reconstruct the processes of the major Italian and Flemish artists, in particular those of the Renaissance period.

Attendance to the lectures will allow the student to acquire the general knowledge necessary to undertake studies in the field of cultural heritage.
Specifically the student will be able to:
- know  artistic procedures, methods and materials
- know the contribution to the knowledge of artistic techniques provided by the main written sources
- evaluate the possibilities and limits offered by technical analyses
- recognize the stages of experimentation and change that the various artists introduced into the individual arts.

Program
The course programme includes the presentation and discussion of the following topics:

Evolution and changes in the technical processes that characterize the production of the following arts: painting, sculpture, ceramics, stucco, glass, enamels, drawing, engraving, mosaic, inlay and stained glass.

Ancient sources for the knowledge of the practice of painting on wood, canvas and walls

Technical-scientific investigations for the identification of procedures in the field of painting, with particular regard to the analysis of underdrawing.

PREREQUISITES

The following basic knowledge is required to effectively address the contents of the course:

a basic knowledge of European history from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century
a basic knowledge of the history of art from the thirteenth to the eighteenth century

TEACHING METHODS

Remote lectures using Microsoft Teams (access code csnx4cg) with PowerPoint presentations. Reading of historical sources.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Programme for students taking the course for 6 cfu

Taking a temporal arc that goes from the middle ages to the neoclassical era, the course will examine the main technical changes in the following arts: sculpture, ceramics, stucco, glass, enamel, incision, mosaic, marquetry, stained glass windows and tapestries. By reading the sources and discussing the data from technical-scientific analyses, materials, procedures and design methods that characterised production on wood, canvas and walls during the centuries will be illustrated.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. C.Cennini, Il libro dell'arte, F.Frezzato ed., Vicenza, Neri Pozza, 2004
    
2. Le tecniche artistiche, C.Maltese ed., Milano, Mursia (chapters on: sculpture, ceramics, stucco, glass, enamels, drawing, engraving, painting, mosaic, and stained-glass windows
3. M.C.Galassi, Il disegno svelato. Progetto e immagine nella pittura italiana del primo Rinascimento, Ilisso, Nuoro, 1998
4. https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/research/research-papers/close-examination

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CLELIA GALASSI (President)

LETIZIA CIARLO

ELIANA CARRARA (Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

October 7, 2020, 9 am (Teams code: csnx4cg)

Class schedule

HISTORY OF ARTISTIC TECHNIQUES

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of an oral test during which the student will have to demonstrate that he or she understands the ways in which the artistic techniques illustrated in the bibliography are realized, and the main changes that have occurred over the centuries, between the Middle Ages and the 18th century.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Assessment will consist of an oral exam to ascertain: knowledge and understanding of the bibliography; capacity to link topics tackled; critical spirit and personal reflection. 

Exam schedule