The course aims to bring students closer to the knowledge of Byzantine artistic culture in the fields of architecture, mosaic, sculpture and the multiple and refined products of sumptuary art, so as to provide a suitable tool for a broader and deeper understanding of the cultural and artistic phenomena that characterized the Middle Ages.

Through the knowledge of the main monuments and artworks produced within the Byzantine Empire, the course aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the main artistic currents formed in the capital and in the provinces of the empire.

Particular attention will be paid to the urban and monumental evolution of Constantinople and to the high level artefacts produced by the artistic workshops of the capital; in comparison with the metropolitan artistic niveau, art production from peripheral areas, both within the Byzantine Empire, both in politically independent territories but, such as Italy, subject to the artistic and cultural influence of Constantinople, will be considered.

In detail the main topics addressed will be the following:
• the foundation of Constantinople and the main civil and religious monuments built between the 4th and 5th centuries;
• the production and artistic vitality of the other great cities of the empire (Thessalonica, Antioch);
• the sumptuary art of the capital (ivories, silver, illuminated codes) and the choices of the patronage;
• the art of the Justinian age in the capital and in the provinces;
• the Santa Sofia basilica;
• the age of iconoclasm: theological reasons and effects on artistic production;
• the art of the so called Macedonian renaissance;
• the figured mosaics of the Hagia Sophia and the formulation of a new midddle Byzantine decorative program;
• formation and development of the monastery in the Middle-Byzantine period (9th-12th century);
• the great mosaic cycles of the eleventh century;
• the Macedonian age miniature;
• the sumptuary art of the Macedonian age (ivories, enamels);
• the stylistic turning point of the painting of the Comnenian age;
• the last flowering of Byzantine monumental painting: the mosaics and the frescoes of the Chora monastery

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

Frontal Lessons

Course books

 Lineamenti di architettura bizantina, a cura di A. Paribeni, testi di M. della Valle, S. Moretti, A. Paribeni, S. Pedone, A. Taddei; 

- Introduzione all’arte bizantina IV-XV secolo, dispense a cura di C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia Guidobaldi, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, A. Taddei.

Both texts will be available on  Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Assessment

The exam will consist of an oral test based on verifying the learning of the study texts; the test will use, through the use of slides projected on the computer, the images contained in the textbooks and power points shown during the lessons. In order to deserve a sufficient evaluation in the assessment, the student must demonstrate that he has at least assimilated the basic concepts and notions contained in the exam preparation texts and explained in the lessons; rewarding elements for a very good or excellent evaluation will be: the ability to correlate certain components of the program with each other; the demonstration of having understood the different interpretations proposed by scholars regarding specific critical issues; the maturity in knowing how to exercise one's own evaluation with respect to the various problems raised, also drawing on the skills acquired in previous preparation; finally, mastery in the use of specific language and terminology most appropriate to the context.

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

- Lineamenti di architettura bizantina, a cura di A. Paribeni, testi di M. della Valle, S. Moretti, A. Paribeni, S. Pedone, A. Taddei; 

- Introduzione all’arte bizantina IV-XV secolo, dispense a cura di C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia Guidobaldi, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, A. Taddei.

Both texts will be available on  Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

In order to complete their preparation students will have to choose one of the following books:

- M. Della Valle, Costantinopoli e il suo impero. Arte, architettura, urbanistica nel millennio bizantino, Milano Jaca Book 2007.

- E. Zanini, Introduzione all’archeologia bizantina, Roma Carocci 1994.

- E. Zanini, Costantinopoli, Roma Carocci 2022.

Assessment

The exam will consist of an oral test based on verifying the learning of the study texts; the test will use, through the use of slides projected on the computer, the images contained in the textbooks. In order to deserve a sufficient evaluation in the assessment, the student must demonstrate that he has at least assimilated the basic concepts and notions contained in the exam preparation texts; rewarding elements for a very good or excellent evaluation will be: the ability to correlate certain components of the program with each other; the demonstration of having understood the different interpretations proposed by scholars regarding specific critical issues; the maturity in knowing how to exercise one's own evaluation with respect to the various problems raised, also drawing on the skills acquired in previous preparation; finally, mastery in the use of specific language and terminology most appropriate to the context.

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.