This is an upper level survey on the art, architecture and topography of late-antique and medieval Rome. The aim of the course is to provide an in-depth familiarity and appreciation of the multifaceted nature of the city in these transformative and dynamic historical periods. The architecture and decorative features- wall paintings, icons, mosaics, and sculpture- of sites such as the catacombs and of individual monuments such as basilicas are the “primary sources” for an examination of the religious, political, and social functions and meanings of the built environment and visual culture of the city. Most classes meet on campus, but three meetings will be on-site, allowing for first-hand study of key artworks extant in the city. 

Because a primary focus of the course is the development of Rome into the capital of Western Medieval Christendom, the course begins with an examination of images from the mid- to late-third century AD, when the first significant body of Old and New Testament imagery develops in Rome under primarily Christian patronage. The chronological end point is the first decade of the 14th century, which witnessed the move (or “exile”) of the pope and his court from Rome to the French city of Avignon, essentially ending an era in the history of the city. 

While the Church in its many forms- from the papal court to convents to neighborhood parishes- was the most powerful political, social and economic institution in Rome during the 1000-year span we will be examining, many members of the secular elite- often belonging to the same families that staffed the papal court- also exerted a strong visual and cultural impact on city whether as patrons or as key designated viewers. Moreover, the city always retained a form of civic government whose office-holders were in charge with the all-important urban infrastructure (roads, walls, aqueducts, sanitation, etc.)  A second focus of the course is, therefore, an examination of the interplay between the religious (popes, priests, deacons, nuns, monks, etc.) and the lay inhabitants of Rome, if often through the filter of the mostly religious surviving evidence. 

Last but not least, medieval Rome may not be properly understood without examining how the city dealt with its Classical past. As the city “reshaped” itself between Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, the topographical, monumental and artistic legacy of Ancient Rome was ever present and was preserved as a source of civic pride, transformed or repurposed, or left to decay, but never erased.

Ø  understanding of key aspects of urban layout and spatial organization in Medieval Rome

Ø understanding of key structural, functional and stylistic aspects of Roman Medieval art and architecture

Ø ability to analyze and interpret the urban topography and development of Medieval Rome and, more specifically, the motives in the creation, use and reception of areas, neighborhoods, monuments and artworks in their original (medieval) political, religious, and social contexts

Ø skills for the critical analysis of urban topography and visual culture generally

Ø familiarity with different methods of art historical analysis and terminology and the ability to deploy them successfully

Ø  ability to apply critical thinking and analysis generally

Ø  ability to select and organize material to produce a coherent and cogent argument both orally and in writing- and to do so to so respecting deadlines.

Ø  ability to exchange ideas and engage in discussion with peers

Attendance is required, but  not graded. All scheduled classes are mandatory. Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class (i.e. you must also be on time!) Lectures and on-site visits do more than simply complement required reading assignments so being absent inevitably results in extra work to catch up. Typically, missing 4 or more classes results in poor performance, if not a failing grade.  Please also be aware that missing classes may entail missing quizzes, which may not be made up. 

N.B. The class normally meets on campus. However, it also includes two mandatory Saturday on-site sessions (dates TBA) and one two on-site sessions in Trastevere during regularly scheduled class time to allow for a first-hand study of important examples of extant art and architecture.

1. Introduction to course

Ø  content overview

Ø  methodology

Ø  requirements

Ø   logistics

2. Late Antique Rome: political, social and religious identities in the 3rd and 4th centuries (overview)

Required reading: Krautheimer (1980/ 2000): Ch. 1

3. Catacomb paintings and sarcophagi: 3rd and 4th centuries

Required reading: Fiocchi Nicolai et al. (2002): Ch. 2: art in Roman catacombs (by F. Bisconti)

4. Fourth century funerary basilicas and the cult of saints (Old St. Peter's, etc.)

Required reading: Brandenburg (2005), Ch. 3, 55-103: ambulatory basilicas in 4 c. and Old St. Peter's

5. Rome inside and outside the walls I: 4th-early 5th c. basilicas and their decoration

Required reading: Brandenburg (2005), Ch. 2: Lateran, Ch. 3, 103-107: S. Croce in Gerusalemme, p. 133: intro. to post-Constantian church building, Ch. 6: St. Paul outside the walls, and pp. 137-142: S. Pudenziana; Krautheimer (1980/ 2000): pp. 21-24: Lateran and S. Croce in Gerusalemme; Mathews (1993), Ch. 4: early Christian monumental decoration

6. Rome inside the walls: 5th c. churches and their decoration; late antique reliquaries and luxury objects

Required reading: Brandenburg (2005): pp. 155-162: Sts. John and Paul, pp. 167-189: S. Sabina and S. Maria Maggiore, 199-213: S. Stefano Rotondo; Krautheimer (1980/ 2000): Ch. 2: late 4-5 c. Rome

7. and 8. ON SITE CLASS 1: Monuments of the late 4th-5th c.: S. Paolo, flm, S. Pudenziana, S. M. Maggiore, and Santa Sabina. Please note this will take place on a Saturday from c. 8 AM to c. 1 PM

9. Rome between Old and New and East and West in the early Middle Ages: 6th-8th c. basilicas and their decoration

Required reading: Krautheimer (1980/ 2000): Ch. 3 and 4: 6th to early 8th c. Rome

10. Rome between Old and New and East and West in the early Middle Ages, cont.

Required reading: Brandenburg (2005): 222-234: SS. Cosma e Damiano, S. Maria Antiqua, S. Adriano, S. Maria Rotonda, 236-24: S. Lorenzo, flm and Sant’Agnese, flm;

11. "Carolingian" Rome: late 8th to early 9th c.: basilicas and their decoration; reliquaries

Required Reading: Krautheimer (1980/2000), Ch. 5: Carolingian Rome

12. "Carolingian" Rome: late 8th to early 9th c., cont.

Required reading: Goodson (2006): the Carolingian “Renaissance” and S. Prassede; Bolgia (2006) Mosaics at S. Marco

13 and 14. ON SITE CLASS 2: Monuments of the early Middle Age: SS. Cosmas and Damian, Santa Maria Antiqua, Santa Prassede, San Marco. Please note this will take place on a Saturday from c. 9 AM to c. 1 PM

15. MID-TERM REVIEW SESSION

16. MID-TERM EXAM

17. Dark or Bright Ages in the central Middle Ages: monuments from the late 9th century to mid to the 11th century

Required reading: Krautheimer (1980/2000), Ch. 6; Coates-Stephens (1997): Dark Age Architecture in Rome

18. Lay and Religious Patronage in late eleventh century Rome: San Clemente

Required Reading: Filippini (2004): San Clemente iconography and function paintings late 11th c.