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

Classes are held in presence. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. No remote learning is available for this course.

Students are reminded of the need to subscribe to the Aulaweb of the course

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. Tecniche dell'arte, S. Baroni and M. Mander eds.,  Milano, Mursia, 2021, 2 voll.., (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 (the pdf will be available on aulaweb)

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

MARIA CLELIA GALASSI (President)

LETIZIA CIARLO

PAOLO ANTONINO MARIA TRIOLO (President Substitute)

LESSONS

LESSONS START

 October 30, 2022

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 methods used to create the art techniques illustrated in the bibliography, and the main changes that have occurred over the centuries, between the Middle Ages and the 18th century. The student has to answer questions relating to the topics covered during the course and comment on images relating to the history of art techniques and the technical investigations used to understand them.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The exam will be conducted by means of an oral test that will test: the knowledge and understanding of the bibliography; the ability to make connections between the topics covered; the capacity for criticism and personal reflection.

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the degree of depth required for each topic will be provided during the lectures.

The exam will verify the effective acquisition of the knowledge of the history of art techniques from the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Open questions will be used to assess the ability to apply theoretical knowledge to individual practical cases. The student should be able to critically link and explain the topics covered in the lectures. The ability to explain the topics clearly and with correct terminology will also be assessed.

The method of assessing the degree of learning achieved takes into account the following scale of values:

1. in the case where the student, through an expressive mastery, demonstrates that he/she has deeply understood the texts proposed, the periodizations addressed and the themes presented in class through an organic vision, the exam will be evaluated with marks between very good and excellent (from 28 to 30 with honours);

2. a purely mnemonic knowledge (i.e. without deep understanding), superficial analysis and correct but not always appropriate language will lead to a mark between good (25-27) and satisfactory (23-24);

3. approximate knowledge, superficial understanding and inappropriate modes of expression may be considered sufficient (18-22);

4. gaps in knowledge, inappropriate language, lack of orientation within the bibliographic materials and themes presented in class will be evaluated negatively.

Exam schedule