This course proposes that students approach Medieval Art in the fields of Architecture, Sculpture and Painting, also through the eyes of those who have rediscovered its value, through the phenomenon of art collecting and exhibitions, and those who have re-proposed its original forms in modern and contemporary eras, through recoveries, re-evocations, and inventions.

We will try to demonstrate specifically how digital technologies help us to see, and consequently better understand, monuments and artworks in their integrity and/or in their original aspect, too often hidden from the viewer.

This course is divided into two units.

FIRST UNIT

The first unit is focused on illuminated manuscripts, which are typically difficult to see, given that they are mostly preserved in libraries and archives and, even when displayed in exhibitions, impossible to be leafed through. Some of the most essential and critical illuminated manuscripts, preserved in the Vatican Library (the world’s most important library), will be analysed with the aid of digital open sources, to understand how they work and why they were created.

SECOND UNIT

The second unit is about lost or altered contexts (meaning architectural, sculptural, and pictorial contexts). We will select and analyse a few of the most complex and intriguing cases and will discuss how virtual models allow us to better understand them, their changes over time and even their original aspect.

Some of the lessons will be held in English.

Qualifications that signify completion of the second cycle are awarded to students who:

- have demonstrated knowledge and capacity for comprehension of texts and of certain specific themes typically associated with the first cycle and allow the application of original ideas, often in the context of study and research (knowledge and understanding);
- can be able to apply their knowledge and understanding and problem-solving abilities in new or unfamiliar environments, found in broader (or interdisciplinary) contexts connected to their field of study and research (applying knowledge and understanding);
- have the ability to integrate knowledge and handle complexity, as well as formulate independent judgment based on limited or incomplete information (making judgments)
- can communicate in a clear, unambiguous manner their conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underlying those conclusions, to others whether their interlocutors are specialists in the field or not. (communication skills);
- have to develop their ability to learn in a way that will allow them to continue their studies autonomously (learning skills)

To be more specific, on successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

- critically discuss works of art and architecture from the middle ages at the level of professional art historians, using appropriate descriptive and analytical terminology, in written assignments, oral presentations and discussions

- identify and describe the materials and technical processes used in the production of a wide range of works of art and architecture from the middle ages

- critically assess the theoretical frameworks, discourses and methods that underpin Medieval Art History as a discipline and apply them to individual research

- critically assess the historiography of medieval works of art and architecture

- identify and critically discuss a wide range of technologies relevant to art historical research and professional practice in the field of the middle ages

- conceive, plan, manage and complete intellectually independent research projects in the area of history of medieval art and architecture, selecting and analyzing appropriate source materials and methods.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

In-class lessons

Innovative teaching methods

The lectures will be enriched with:

• flipped lesson on some topics of the course;
• individual and group exercises and in-depth studies, which students will carry out using the University's Moodle platform.

Attendance

To be considered as attending students, students must attend at least two-thirds of the lessons. Leaving early is counted as an absence. 

Course books

Beyond knowledge of the topics covered during the course, for which slides will be downloaded on the Moodle platform for easy consultation, the study of the following texts (uploaded on the Moodle platform, as well)  is required: 

--Manuscript digitization and on line accessibility. What's goign on?, International workshop (Roma 2014), a cura di E. Caldelli, M. Maniaci, S. Zamponi, "Digitalia" IX.2 (2014), pp. 4-16.

-G.M. Fachechi, Dal monastero al museo e ritorno. Le Palazze di Spoleto tra frammentazione del contesto e ricostruzione virtuale/From the Monastery to the Museum and Back. Le Palazze at Spoleto, from Fragmentation to Virtual Reconstruction, in T. di Carpegna Falconieri, G.M. Fachechi, Gli affreschi delle Palazze. Una storia tra Umbria e America/The Palazze Frescoes. A Tale between Umbria and America, Roma, Gangemi, 2017, pp. 57-131.

-G. Bordi, Corpus e Atlante della pittura medievale a Roma (312-1431). Un modello possibile, "Horus Artium Mediaevalium", 2018, pp. 60-70. 

Assessment

The assessment takes place through:

- a midterm written test, held at the end of the first semester, based on the topics covered in the first part of the course;

- a final oral exam, based on the topics covered in the second semester, if the student passed the midterm exam, on all the topics of the course, otherwise.

The evaluation will be based on the following criteria:

a) punctuality, attendance, participation = 10% 

b) midterm test = 40% 

c) final test = 50% 

The sum of the scores obtained based on the 3 criteria (a-b-c) gives the grade out of thirty. Since the final test weighs more, it will be this to determine any excess rounding and/or honours.

Reported Grades will be determined by the following scale:

30 = 100% to 90%

Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading/research beyond that required for the course

27-29 = 89% to 80%

This is a highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions.

23-26 = 79% to 70%

This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

18-22 = 69% to 60%

This level of performance demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points are included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Individual study

Course books

Required textbooks:

-Salvatore Settis, Tomaso Montanari, Arte. Una storia naturale e civile, vol. 2, Dall'Alto Medioevo alla fine del Trecento, Milano, Mondadori Education, 2019.

-Grazia Maria Fachechi, Manuel Castineiras, Il tempo sulla pietra. La raffigurazione dei mesi nella scultura medievale, Roma, Gangemi, 2019.

Assessment

The exam consists of an oral exam based on the Assessment of the study texts; during the test the images in textbooks will be used.

Assessment criteria and Reported Grades: 

30: 

Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading/research beyond that required for the course

27-29: 

This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions.

23-26: 

This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

18-22: 

This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.