The course aims to provide a basic knowledge of the history of art in Italy, in Europe and in the Mediterranean between the fourth and fourteenth centuries, i.e. from the paleochristian period until the early modern era, through the analysis of some exemplary cases with regard to the Western and Byzantine cultural spheres. The most peculiar  problems relating to periodization, historiography and methodology will be addressed, as well artistic trends, artists, monuments and artifacts willl be examined and contextualised.

The course has a fundamentally historical structure and provides a discussion of the items along a path that follows and clarifies the chronology of the different expressions of the medieval age artistic culture. Some secific methodological aspects will deserve a more detailed discussion, starting from the very definition of medieval art, the determination of its chronological limits and its internal connections, compared with the traditional Italian and European historiography. In detail the topics discussed will be the following:

- The late antique and early Christian era; imperial patronage in religious and profane milieu;the first papal commissions (IV-VI century)

- The disintegration of the imperial structure and the introduction of barbarians populations: echos in the artistic production in Italy between Byzantine persistence and new Lombard presences (VI-VIII century)

- The formation of new centers of power in central Europe: the Carolingian and Ottonian Empires and their artistic production (VIII-X century)

. - The Europe of 1000 and the birth of Romanesque: historiographical debate; architecture and art development between the eleventh and twelfth centuries in Italy and Europe; declinations of the Romanesque style in northern, central and southern Italy

- The transition between Romanesque and Gothic of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries; the Crusades as an artistic phenomenon of contamination and new influences of Byzantine art in Italy

- Gothic art and architecture in the second half of the thirteenth century: its birth and blossoming in France and spread in the Italian regions. The great innovations in monumental painting (Giotto, Cavallini, Duccio) and sculpture (Nicola Pisano and Arnolfo).

- The art of Gothic period (fourteenth century): the evolution of painting (Giotto and his school; the great Sienese masters) and the urban and architectural development of the city as the foundation of the artistic culture of the fifteenth century.

The students:

will demonstrate basic knowledge of the chronological articulation of the different phases of artistic production in the Middle Ages and the specific characteristics of the various stylistic currents, also in relation to different cultural influences, through  a correct and careful reading and understanding of the books of text;

will be able to apply their knowledge in order to succeed, through appropriate arguments, to compare and possibly correlate monuments and artifacts from different geographical and chronological areas;

will demonstrate to be able to mature independent judgments with respect to controversial chronological and attributive issues, through the collection and the critical examination of useful data

will show autonomy and effectiveness in exposing data and ideas assimilated during the lessons and study;

will improve the learning skills necessary to undertake independently the study of artistic production of the period after the Middle Ages.

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

The teaching material and specific communications from the lecturer can be found, together with other supporting activities, inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

The course consists of lectures and a seminar-type activities.

Attendance

Though obviously well recommended, attendance is not mandatory. The attendance of at least two-thirds of the lessons is demanded in order to be considered as attending students.

Course books

E. Tornaghi, Chiave di volta, Dal tardo antico al gotico internazionale, Torino, Loescher, 2019. If the students are unable to find the text, they can make use of another textbook on the history of art used in high schools always for the same chronological period (4th-14th centuries).

As a further aid, students will find on the Moodle platform a selection of items taken from various trexts (e,g, the Enciclopedia dell'Arte Medievale, Treccani, I-XI, 1991-2000), relating to themes and artistic personalities of particular relevance.

Assessment

The exam will consist of an oral exam based on the Assessment of the study text; during the test the images in the textbook and the power point presentation shown during the lessons will be used. These power point will be made available by the teacher by loading on the moodle platform where students can freely consult

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

E. Tornaghi, Chiave di volta, Dal tardo antico al gotico internazionale, Torino, Loescher, 2019. If the students are unable to find the text, they can make use of another textbook on the history of art used in high schools always for the same chronological period (4th-14th centuries).

As a further aid, students will find on the Moodle platform a selection of items taken from various trexts (e,g, the Enciclopedia dell'Arte Medievale, Treccani, I-XI, 1991-2000), relating to themes and artistic personalities of particular relevance.

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.

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.