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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 298"
COURSE NAME: "Baroque Rome and Its Monuments (Rome City Series)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2017
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: TH 9:15 AM 12:00 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: On-site; activity fee: €25 or $33
OFFICE HOURS:

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Rome City Series - This on-site course in Rome covers monuments of the seventeenth century (later known as the "baroque" period). Rome is the city where the baroque style originated and flourished, and it is the ideal place to study some of the most significant works of painting, sculpture, architecture, and urban planning from ca. 1580-to ca. 1750. We will critically examine major works by Annibale Carracci, Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Domenichino, Lanfranco, Pietro da Cortona, Andrea Sacchi, and especially Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini. The following are some important aspects of baroque art, which we will have the opportunity to study more effectively on-site than in the classroom: style, technique, scale, collocation, urban context, effects on the viewer (for example, theatrical squares, fountains, illusionist ceiling frescoes, fake domes). We will discuss artistic theory, concerns for decorum, the "affetti", classicism vs. naturalism, parallels between poetry and painting, papal patronage, and psychological and feminist interpretations of artists. The Counter-Reformation and the Catholic Revival, papal propaganda and nepotism, the powerful new orders, such as the Jesuits, as well as Queen Christina of Sweden's life, will be investigated.
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
Course lectures will take place in palace-museums, churches, and public piazze in order to reconstruct the cultural, political and religious environment of Baroque Rome. Through direct engagement with paintings, sculpture and architecture, the course introduces the language of the visual culture of the Baroque and explores its distinctive qualities. This semester offers several unique opportunities to see works not usually on display in Rome, taking advantage of special exhibitions on the artist Artemisia Gentileschi and on still life painting in the circle of Caravaggio to deepen an understanding of these influential artists and the genres in which they worked. The course will analyze the legacy of ancient Rome and the ways artists and patrons manipulated classical art and architecture to new purposes. Special consideration of events like religious processions and feast day celebrations provides a way to examine the effects of Counter-Reformation spirituality upon works of art and architecture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will gain from this course:

•the methodological tools for interpreting painting and sculpture through formal and contextual analysis, gained through reading a variety of art historical texts and first-hand examination of art works

•a familiarity with architectural styles and vocabulary to discuss the formal quality of buildings and urban spaces

•an understanding of the Baroque period from both aesthetic and historical perspectives

•familiarity with some of the most important artists working in the period, and the means of identifying their particular style.

TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Baroque and Rococo, Art and CultureVernon Hyde MinorPrentice-Hall9780130856494  
Patrons and Painters: Art and Society in Baroque ItalyFrancis HaskellYale University Press0300024408  
Roman Baroque Sculpture: The Industry of ArtJennifer MontaguYale University Press9780300053661  
Italy and Spain, 1600-1750: Sources & DocumentsRobert Enggass and Jonathan Brown, eds.Prentice-Hall0135081017 9780135081013   
Orazio and Artemisia GentileschiKeith Christiansen and Judith Walker MannYale University Press9780300090772  
Seventeenth-Century Roman Palaces: Use and Art of the PlanPatricia WaddyMIT Press0262231565 9780262231565   
BerniniHoward HibbardPenguin Books0140207015 9780140207019   
The Rome of Alexander VII, 1655-1667Richard KrautheimerPrinceton University Press069104032X 9780691040325   
Papal Art and Cultural Politics: Rome in the Age of Clement XIChristopher M.S. JohnsUniversity of Cambridge0521416396 9780521416399   

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Class ParticipationThe lectures, which meet almost entirely on site, will involve complex analysis at the monuments themselves. In order to grasp the concepts presented in course readings and handouts, attendance and active participation is essential. Students will be evaluated on their attention to lectures by questions asked and ideas discussed. Perfect attendance will be rewarded with the chance to add 5 points to either the midterm or final exam. 4 or more absences without an official excuse will result in a failing grade for the course.10%
2 Testscomprehension of art historical terms, correct identification of individual works and an understanding of their significance. See the schedule for test dates.20%
Midterm ExaminationSlide identifications; short answer questions regarding historical and stylistic terminology, and patronage; essay topic treating major themes treated in class and readings. 20%
Writing AssignmentPaper (approximately 5 pages in length with bibliography and illustrations) assessing the context for a specific work of art or architecture. Further details of the assignment will be provided after the midterm exam. 25%
Final ExaminationThe format of the final exam is identical to that of the midterm, and will cover the material from the second half of the semester, with the exception of the final essay questions which will treat themes covered over the entire semester.25%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork 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 beyond that required for the cours
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis 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.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is required for all class meetings. Absences will be taken into consideration when assessing the course participation grade. Absences should be avoided as much as possible, given that the class meets only once per week and that it is very difficult to visit sites individually.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.

SCHEDULE

January 19                  Course introduction: Rome in the era of the Catholic Reformation                          

Meeting Place             Classroom Tiber Campus T 1.3

Itinerary                      Classroom course introduction followed by walk: Palazzo Farnese, Jewish

                                    Ghetto, Campidoglio, Il Gesù  

January 26                  The transformation of painting at the turn of the 17th century

Meeting Place
             Galleria Doria Pamphili, via del Corso (see directions)

Itinerary                      Galleria Doria Pamphili; Church of S. Luigi dei Francesi

Reading Assignment •Vernon Hyde Minor, Baroque & Rococo: Art and Culture, Chapter 1 and pp.

                                    41-56 of Ch. 2. Library Reserves N6410 .M56

                                    •Robert Enggass and Jonathan Brown, eds. Italy and Spain, 1600-1750:

                                    Sources and Documents, pp. 16-20 (Letter from art patron Vincenzo

                                    Giustiniani) N6916 .E5

February 2                  Art collecting and entertainments in the Baroque villa                                   

Meeting Place             In front of the Galleria Borghese, 8:45 a.m.

Itinerary                      Galleria Borghese and S. Maria del Popolo

Reading Assignment  •Hyde Minor, Baroque & Rococo, pp. 157-177 of Ch. 5

                                    •Francis Haskell, Patrons and Painters: Art and Society in Baroque Italy,

                                    Chapter 1. N6916 .H37 

February 9                  Religious orders and their churches

                                     Special Topic: The art of Artemisia Gentileschi

Meeting Place             Classroom T 1.3 at 9:00 a.m.

Itinerary                      TEST 1 IN CLASS

                                    Church of Andrea della Valle; Museo di Roma for Gentileschi exhibit,

                                    Chiesa Nuova 

Reading Assignment •Haskell, Patrons and Painters, pp. 62-72 of Ch. 3

                                    •Keith Christiansen and Judith W. Mann, eds. Orazio and Artemisia

                                    Gentileschi, pp. 263-281 (essays by Elizabeth Cropper). ND623 .G36 A4

Thursday, Feb 16        The completion and decoration of St. Peter’s, 1590-1644

Meeting Place             Piazza S. Pietro, center of the piazza near the obelisk

Itinerary                      Exterior and Interior of St. Peter’s

Reading Assignment  •Vernon Hyde Minor, Baroque & Rococo, pp. 75-83 of Ch. 3 and pp. 119-124

                                    of Ch. 4

                                    •Haskell, Patrons and Painters, pp. 24-40 of Ch. 2 

February 23                Iconographies of faith and power: Guercino, Reni, Pietro da Cortona

Meeting Place             Piazza del Campidoglio near the entrance of the museum

Itinerary                      The Capitoline Museums: Pinacoteca; The Conservators’ Apartment, and

                                    Collection of ancient sculpture 

Reading Assignment  •Haskell, Patrons and Painters, pp. 40-62

                                    •Sources and Documents, on Reni, pp. 86-91, and Guercino, pp. 96-98

March 2                       Midterm Examination 

Meeting Place             Classroom T 1.3

Itinerary                      Written examination followed by seminar on doing art historical research

March 9                       The architecture of self-promotion: Palazzo Barberini 

Meeting Place             Piazza Barberini in front of the Triton Fountain

Itinerary                      Palazzo Barberini

Reading Assignment  •Patricia Waddy, Seventeenth-Century Roman Palaces:  Use and Art of

                                     the Plan, Chapter 1 (pp. 3-13), Chapters 6 & 7 (pp. 54-66). DG797.9 .W33

                                     •Sources and Documents, on Pietro da Cortona, pp. 104-108

March 16                     Mystical experience and the art of the reformed religious orders

Meeting Place             Piazza Barberini, in front of the Triton Fountain

Itinerary                      Churches of S. Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, S. Andrea al Quirinale, and S.

                                    Maria della Vittoria

Reading Assignment  •Haskell, Patrons and Painters, pp. 73-93 of Ch. 3

                                    •Howard Hibbard, Bernini, Ch. 3 “Disaster and Triumph” 

March 23                     Innocent X and the Imperial Church

Meeting Place             Piazza Navona, at the center near the Four Rivers Fountain

Itinerary                      Piazza Navona, Oratory of S. Filippo Neri, Carceri Nuove (New Prisons) 

Reading Assignment  •Vernon Hyde Minor, Baroque & Rococo, pp. 84-93 of Ch. 3

                                    • Jennifer Montagu, Roman Baroque Sculpture, Ch. II “From the Quarry to

                                    the Church”

March 30                     Papal ceremony and ritual in art and architecture                                   

Meeting Place             Classroom T 1.3 at 9:00 a.m.

Itinerary                      Test 2 in Class

                                    St Peter’s: Piazza and Scala Regia, Cathedra Petri, Altars and Tombs

Reading Assignment  •Richard Krautheimer, The Rome of Alexander VII, 1655-1667, Ch. 1 and

                                    Ch. 4

April 3 – 7 SPRING BREAK

April 13                       New faces of the urban church

Meeting Place             In front of the Church of S. Andrea della Valle, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II

Itinerary                      S. Maria della Pace, S. Andrea della Valle (façade); il Gesù interior; S.

                                    Maria in Via Lata, S. Marcello al Corso, S. Ignazio. 

Reading Assignment  •Krautheimer, The Rome of Alexander VII, Ch. 6

                                    •Jennifer Montagu, Roman Baroque Sculpture, Ch. VIII “Festivals and

                                    Feasts"

April 20                       Picturesque Rome: between architecture and image

                                    -->Writing Assignment DUE IN CLASS

Meeting Place             Piazza del Popolo, at the center near the obelisk

Itinerary                      Piazza del Popolo, Spanish Steps, Palazzo Chigi, Trevi Fountain 

Reading Assignment  •Krautheimer, The Rome of Alexander VII, Ch. 8

April 27                       Restoration, social and spiritual: works of the early 18th century

Meeting Place             Entrance of JCU Guarini Campus

Itinerary                      Galleria Corsini; Churches of S. Maria in Trastevere, S. Cecilia, S. Francesco

                                    a Ripa; Ospedale di S. Gallicano and Apostolic Hospice of St. Michael 

Reading Assignment  •Christopher Johns, Papal Art and Cultural Politics: Rome in the Age of

                                    Clement XI, Ch. 6 (pp. 132-158) and Ch. 8 (pp. 171-194). N6920.J63 1993

                                    Final Examination Date, Time and Location To Be Announced