OVERVIEW

The aim of the course is to present a general introduction to the main topics of the history of landscape and gardening, from Antiquity to last century.

AIMS AND CONTENT

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

At the end of the course the student will know the main episodes of the history of European gardens and landscapes. He/she will also be able to master the issues and concepts discussed in classes: the cultural and identity character of historical landscapes; the evolution of the idea of garden and landscape; the specificity of historical contexts and processes; the issue of the preservation of the landscape heritage.

PREREQUISITES

No prerequisites required.

TEACHING METHODS

Lectures. Attendance of lessons is not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

Methodological questions:

• Gardens and landscapes in the history of European culture
• The sources for the history of landscape
• Landscape as cultural heritage and the issue of its preservation

The ancient roots of European landscape:

• Garden and villa imagery in the ancient world
• Land organisation in the medieval world
• Gardens and land management in Byzantium and the Arab world
• Late medieval curtense imagery
• Italian Renaissance Villas and Gardens
• French parks and gardens in the age of Louis XIV
• The English picturesque garden in the 18th century
• The development of public parks in the 19th century
• Green spaces in 19th and 20th century town planning

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Given the approach of the course, there isn’t a single handbook that can substitute class attendance. For a general overview, and/or for more analytical studies it may be useful to consult:

• in general:

• S. Settis - T. Montanari, Arte. Una storia naturale e civile, Torino, Einaudi, 2019
• C. Tosco, Il paesaggio storico: le fonti e i metodi di ricerca, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2009

• garden history:

• P. Grimal, L’arte dei giardini. Una breve storia, Roma, Donzelli, 2005
• C. Tosco, Storia dei giardini. Dalla Bibbia al giardino all’italiana, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2018

• the landscape as cultural heritage:

• S. Settis, Paesaggio Costituzione cemento, La battaglia per l'ambiente contro il degrado civile, Torino, Einaudi, 2019
• C. Tosco, I beni culturali. Storia, tutela e valorizzazione, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2014

• the landscape in art history:

• K. Clark, Il paesaggio nell’arte, Milano, Garzanti, 1962
• E.H. Gombrich, La teoria dell’arte nel Rinascimento e l’origine del paesaggio, in Norma e forma. Studi sull’arte del Rinascimento, Torino, Einaudi, 1973, pp. 156-177
• G. Romano, Studi sul paesaggio, Torino, Einaudi, 1991
• R. Milani, L’arte del paesaggio, Bologna, Il Mulino, 2001

The teacher is available to students for any orientation and bibliographic information, and for further advices about classes and exams.

TEACHERS AND EXAM BOARD

LESSONS

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam will focus on the issues and problems discussed during the lessons, as well as on two books chosen among those suggested by the teacher at the beginning of the course.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

The notes taken during the lessons as well as the slides available on aul@web will be useful but not entirely sufficient to prepare for the exam, and will need to be supplemented by the critical study of one of the books indicated in class.