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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 297"
COURSE NAME: "Baroque Art and Architecture"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2024
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: TTH 11:30 AM 12:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:

An investigation of the major artistic trends in Western Europe during the 17th century. In Italy (excluding Rome, which is covered in a separate course), southern centers such as Sicily, Naples and Lecce will be examined, along with such major northern centers as Turin and Venice, and specific artists such as Guarini, Juvarra and Tiepolo. Major “national” schools of painting will be analyzed: the Dutch and Flemish, as embodied by Rembrandt and Rubens; the Spanish, with Velazquez; the French, with Poussin and Claude. Attention is also paid to architectural and sculptural monuments in each country.

Satisfies "the Early Modern World" core course requirement for Art History majors
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
European art and architecture of the 17thcentury was often monumental and extravagant, heroic but nostalgic, expansive while also self-reflective. Art commissions and collection no longer belonged solely to the wealthiest élites, especially with advances in printmaking techniques and increasing interest in smaller format easel painting. Regional interests and styles were transformed in this period of constant exchange. Themes that will be treated in readings and class discussion include the rise of absolutism; European global exploration and colonization; the formalization of art and architectural professions through academies; scientific investigation and the understanding of vision in this period; and gendered spaces of art, both in representation and for practitioners, with special focus upon women artists like Artemisia Gentileschi, Elisabetta Sirani, Clara Peeters, and Judith Leyster.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Students will gain from this course:

•familiarity with a broad range of artists and art media in this period of European art.

•the methodological tools for interpreting painting and sculpture through contextual analysis, gained through reading a variety of art historical texts and in-depth discussion of individual works 

•research skills for examining works of art first-hand

•the ability to apply critical and theoretical perspectives in a coherent analysis of works of art and architecture. 
TEXTBOOK:
NONE
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Seventeenth-Century Art & ArchitectureAnn Sutherland HarrisPrentice Hall9780136033721N6756 .H33 
Art and Architecture in Italy, 1600-1750Rudolf WittkowerYale University Press9780300079418N6916 .W5 1999 3 vols 

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
2 Reading Summaries and AnalysesSeveral of the assigned readings this semester will offer ways of thinking about visual representation drawn from critical theory and from contemporary challenges to traditional narratives. In the reading summaries, you will provide a close analysis of the text and apply the ideas contained within them to a work of art. The summaries should be a minimum of 2 typed, double-spaced pages and will be uploaded to Moodle for evaluation. 20%
Paper: Foreign Artists in Rome: Collection and ReceptionIn this paper, students will take advantage of the collections of French, Spanish, and Flemish Baroque art in Rome, examining one work in particular. The paper will provide a full formal analysis of the work and discuss how the work came into the collection in which it is displayed. The topic will involve some research; students will provide adequate bibliography and demonstrate an understanding of the provenance of artworks. 15%
Paper: Critical Issues in Baroque Art and ArchitectureStudents will select one of the themes discussed in class and in the readings and write a critical analysis of one or more works of art and architecture based upon that theme. The paper will be approximately 5-6 pages in length and will include substantial bibliography and appropriate use of illustrations. 20%
Midterm ExaminationStudents should be able to identify works of art and architecture by artist, title, and date, and should be prepared to discuss them at some length. The format of the exam includes: •Short answer questions regarding individual monuments: their appearance, construction, urban context and patronage. •Image comparisons: A discussion of two works in order to draw out key elements of affinity or difference, indicating an important theme in 17th-art and architecture. 20%
Final ExaminationThe format of the exam will be similar to the midterm, treating material from the second half of the semester, with the addition of final essay questions that will be cumulative in their scope.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 course.
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 REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATION POLICY
You cannot make-up a major exam (midterm or final) without the permission of the Dean’s Office. The Dean’s Office will grant such permission only when the absence was caused by a serious impediment, such as a documented illness, hospitalization or death in the immediate family (in which you must attend the funeral) or other situations of similar gravity. Absences due to other meaningful conflicts, such as job interviews, family celebrations, travel difficulties, student misunderstandings or personal convenience, will not be excused. Students who will be absent from a major exam must notify the Dean’s Office prior to that exam. Absences from class due to the observance of a religious holiday will normally be excused. Individual students who will have to miss class to observe a religious holiday should notify the instructor by the end of the Add/Drop period to make prior arrangements for making up any work that will be missed. 

While no grade is assessed for attendance and participation, both are required and will be recorded. 5 or more absences without an official excuse are considered insufficient presence for a passing grade and will be reported to the Dean’s office.
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

 

The schedule here is provisional and subject to change. Students must download the final syllabus with reading assignments, test dates and paper due dates from the course Moodle page by the first day of class. 

 

Week

Topic

Readings Assignments

Assignments & special instructions

Jan 16

Course Introduction and Overview:

Inventing the Baroque

Readings for each lecture should be completed before the lecture

 

•Ann Sutherland Harris, Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Introduction. On reserve in the library; also available as an e-book on archive.org.

 

 

Jan 18

Italy, 1585-1620: The Carracci and their Academy

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 1: pp. 1-34

 

 

 

Jan 23

Italy, 1585-1620: Caravaggio and his followers

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 1: pp. 34-78

 

Recommended: Sheila McTighe, “Caravaggio’s Physiognomy,” in Representing from Life in Seventeenth-Century Italy, pp. 41-90. E-book

 

 

Jan 25

Italy, 1620-1660: The Completion of St. Peter’s Basilica / Bernini and Sculpture in Rome

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 1: pp. 85-125

 

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

 

Recommended: Christina Strunk, “The Poisoned Present: A New Reading of Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s The Rape of Proserpina,” in Colantuono, Anthony, and Steven F Ostrow, eds. Critical Perspectives on Roman Baroque Sculpture. On library reserve.

 

 

 

Jan 30

Italy, 1600-1645: Francesco Borromini and Baroque Architecture

 

•Rudolf Wittkower, Art and Architecture in Italy, Vol I., Ch. 6 (Architecture outside Rome), Vol. II, Ch. 3 (Francesco Borromini) and pp. 111-117 of Ch. 6 (Baldassare Longhena)

 

 

Feb 1

 

Italy, 1620-1645: Painting and Sculpture at Mid-Century

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, pp. 113-125

Recommended: Rose Marie San Juan, “The Transformation of the Río de la Plata and Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers in Rome,” Representations, Vol. 118, No. 1 (Spring 2012), pp. 72-102. Available through the JSTOR database.

 

Feb 6

 

Special Lecture: Artemisia Gentileschi and “Exceptional” Women Painters of the 17th Century

 

 

•Mary Garrard, Artemisia Gentileschi: The Image of the Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art, Introduction and Ch. 5 “Judith”

 

Recommended: Jesse Locker, Artemisia Gentileschi: The Language of Painting, Ch. 5. “L’immagine dell’autrice” Artemisia’s Self-Portraits Revisited”

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 2

 

Feb 8

 

Spain, 1590-1625

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 3, pp. 195-231

 

Recommended: Jonathan Brown, Painting in Spain: 1500-1700, Ch. 5 “Naturalism in Castile and Valencia 1598-1621”

 

Short paper on art in Rome due by midnight (Rome time); upload to Moodle TurnItIn

Feb 12

Spain, 1625-1655: Velazquez and Art in the Reign of Philip IV

•Jonathan Brown, Painting in Spain: 1500-1700, Ch. 7

 

Feb 15

Spanish painting abroad: Ribera, Murillo, and some examples from New Spain

 

 

 

 

Feb 16

Makeup day

Special Lecture: Velazquez’ Las Meninas – Theorizing Visual Representation

 

•Assigned readings will be provided separately with reading summary assignment

 

Submit reading summary by class time; upload to Moodle TurnItIn

 

Feb 20

Review for Midterm

 

Be prepared for discussion with questions; review notes and readings

 

Feb 22

Midterm Exam

 

Exam will take place in the classroom unless circumstances change

 

 

 

SPRING BREAK FEB 26 – MAR 1

 

Mar 5

Flemish and Architecture, 1600-1625:

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 5, pp. 311-333

 

 

Mar 7

Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck

 

 

 

Mar 12

Flemish Painting, 1600-1640:

Genre and Still Life Painting

 

 

 

Mar 14

Dutch Art and Architecture, 1600-1660

•Mariët Westermann, A Worldly Art : The Dutch Republic, 1585-1718, Ch. 5 “Portraiture and the Identity of Self and the Community”. Available as e-book via archive.org.

 

 

Mar 19

Dutch Art and Architecture, 1620-1660:

Rembrandt and Painting in Amsterdam

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 5, pp. 334-356

 

Mar 21

Printmaking from Callot to Rembrandt

 

 

 

Mar 26

Dutch Art and Architecture:

Genre Painting and Johannes Vermeer

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Chapter 5, pp. 356-386

 

Mar 28

Dutch Art, 1650-1700:

Landscape and Still Life

Mariët Westermann, A Worldly Art : The Dutch Republic, 1585-1718, Ch. 4 “Dutch Ideologies and Nascent National Identity.” Available as e-book via archive.org.

 

 

 

Apr 2

France, 1600-1650: Paris under Henry IV / The French Caravaggisti

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Ch. 4, to p. 248; pp. 258-273

Second reading summary due by midnight (Rome time)

Apr 4

France, 1620-1650: The Formation of a French School of Painting – the Royal Academy

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Ch. 4, pp. 254-258 (sculpture); pp. 273-309

 

Apr 9

France, 1650-1700:

Architecture under Louis XIV – Paris and Versailles

 

•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Ch. 4, pp. 248-253

 

Apr 11

Italy, 1650-1700: Painting in and out of Rome

.•Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture, Ch. 1, pp. 125-141

•Wittkower, Art and Architecture in Italy, Vol. III, Ch. 5

Recommended: Christopher R. Marshall, “Public exhibitions, artistic rivalry and the internalization of Neapolitan Baroque painting,” in Baroque Naples and the Industry of Painting: The World in the Workbench. On library reserve.

 

Apr 16

Italy, 1650-1700: Sculpture in Rome, Venice, Naples and Palermo

 

•Wittkower, Art and Architecture in Italy, Vol. III, Ch. 4

 

Apr 18

Italy, 1650-1700: Architecture across the peninsula

 

•Wittkower, Art and Architecture in Italy, Vol III, Chs. 2 and 3.

 

 



 

Apr 23

Review for Final Exam

 

Be prepared for discussion with questions; review notes and readings

 

FINAL EXAM DATE AND LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED