OVERVIEW

The course will examine the ways in which artistic production in the Middle Ages fulfilled specific communication functions, in relation to the social contexts of reference, the physical spaces of destination, the motives of the patrons, and the status of the artists. Aspects of the relationship between choice of materials and iconography of works, reception and cultural context, audience and symbolic values will also be analysed.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Aim of the course is leading students to deepen their knowledge about the communication functions of medieval artistic production, in relation to the different social contexts of reference, with special attention to the symbolic and cultural values of the works, to the physical spaces to which they were intended, to the interactions between artists, clients, screenwriters and the market.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The educational objectives of the course are to lead students to critically study medieval artistic production in its relations with society and the public of reference, in both the religious and secular spheres; to guide them to learn the functions of communication in the different contexts, in relation to the will of patrons, the devotional uses and trends in secular culture; and finally to lead them to understand themes such as the role of the craftsmen and the value of the works in the "art system" of the period.

PREREQUISITES

Knowledge of the art of the European Middle Ages, at the level of the suggested textbooks for the Medieval Art History course, is a useful prerequisite (Bachelor's degree).

TEACHING METHODS

Classes are held in person. Attendance, although not compulsory, is recommended. The lecturer, at the specific request of a student (by e-mail), may allow him/her to follow classes remotely via “Teams” platform.

The material used in lectures will be made available to students. It can be acquired at the end of the course, either by sending it online or by going - with a USB memory stick - to the lecturer's office during his office hours (to set by mail).

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Functions and Spaces of Images in Medieval Europe;

Art and the Sacred: Spaces, Furnishings, Images;

Art and secular powers: courts and cities;

The 'communal art': images, symbols, contexts;

Artists: between craft and fame;

The artist as 'iconographer': cases and works

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

The following texts will be used (pages to be defined):

Arti e storia nel Medioevo, 4 voll., a cura di E. Castelnuovo, G. Sergi, Einaudi, Torino 2002-2004.

L'arte medievale nel contesto (300-1300). Funzioni, iconografie, tecniche, a cura di P. Piva, Jaca Book, Milano 2015.

L'artista medievale. Contesti, mestieri, famiglie (secc. XI-XIII), a cura di M. Collareta, L. Violi, Carocci, Roma 2022.

The final bibliography will be indicated at the end of the course

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

Exam Board

GIANLUCA AMERI (President)

CLARIO DI FABIO

LESSONS

LESSONS START

Lessons start: february 27th, 2024.

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

For both those attending and those not attending, the examination will be oral and will take the form of an interview on at least three examples relating to general or more specific course topics, based on the lecturer's questions on the images commented on in the lecture and on the texts in the syllabus.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The oral examination will test the student's ability to apply the knowledge learnt, to analyse the materials taught, to understand their characteristics in artistic and cultural terms, and to make connections and comparisons through the use of the concepts and terms proper to the discipline.

The main assessment parameters will be the degree of understanding of the texts and images taught, the way in which categories or individual works are analysed, the ability to deal with the themes studied with an autonomous critical sense, and the appropriateness of the exposition.

A sufficiency is considered to have been achieved if the student demonstrates that he/she has mastered the fundamental notions conveyed during the course with regard to the main production processes of suntorial works of art and their historical development, also in relation to the core works and general periodisation.

Excellence will be deemed to have been achieved if the student demonstrates a sure mastery of the syllabus outlined in class, showing that he/she has deepened and elaborated on the course topics with a personal critical contribution, argued with propriety of language.

Exam schedule

FURTHER INFORMATION

It is strongly recommended to attend the lessons.