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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY
COURSE CODE: "AH 297"
COURSE NAME: "Baroque Art and Architecture"
SEMESTER & YEAR:
Fall 2025
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SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR:
Laura Foster
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS:
TTH 1:30 PM 2:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS:
45
CREDITS:
3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
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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
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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.
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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.
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TEXTBOOK:
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REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
| Book Title | Author | Publisher | ISBN number | Library Call Number | Comments |
| Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture | Ann Sutherland Harris | Pearson | 9780136033721 | N6756 .H33 | |
| Painting in Spain 1500-1700 | Jonathan Brown | Yale University Press | 9780300064742 | ND805 .B76 | |
| Art and Architecture in Italy | Rudolf Wittkower | Yale University Press | 9780300079418 | N6916 .W5 1999 | 3 volumes |
RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
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GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
| Assignment | Guidelines | Weight |
| Midterm Examination | The format of the exam includes:
•Image identifications: artist, title, medium, and date
•Short answer questions regarding terminology provided on weekly study guides
•Image comparison: 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 Examination | The 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% |
| Comparative Paper | Students will be provided with specific works to compare and contrast involving a discussion of naturalism and classicism in Baroque art. The paper of approximately 750 words will include a formal analysis of both works while considering the artists’ form and region of training, as well as the works’ original settings and conditions for commission. Further guidelines will be provided in the course materials folder on Moodle | 15% |
| Reading Summary and Analysis | Students will choose from a select list of scholarly articles and book chapters that focus upon Diego Velazquez’ painting Las Meninas, for which there is a special lecture. The summary of approximately 750 words will identify the main argument and explore the scholar’s method of analysis. Students’ ability to discuss the reading in class as a part of a group analysis of this extraordinary painting will form part of the assignment grade. A list of the articles and assignment instructions will be provided in the course materials folder on Moodle. | 15% |
| Research Paper | Students will research a single work or consider an art historical problem of the period in a research paper of approximately 1500 words, providing bibliography and illustrations. Topics must be first approved by the professor. Detailed instructions on topic selection and format will be provided on Moodle. | 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.
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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.
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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.
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SCHEDULE
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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.
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Week
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Topic
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Readings Assignments
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Assignments & special instructions
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Sept 2
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Course Introduction and Overview:
Inventing the Baroque
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Readings for each lecture should be completed before the lecture
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Sept 4
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Italy, 1585-1620: The Carracci and their Academy
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Sept 9
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Italy, 1585-1620: Caravaggio and his followers
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Sept 11
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Italy, 1620-1660: The Completion of St. Peter’s Basilica / Bernini and Sculpture in Rome
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Sept 16
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Italy, 1600-1645: Francesco Borromini and Baroque Architecture
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Sept 18
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Italy, 1620-1645: Painting and Sculpture at Mid-Century
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Sept 23
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Special Lecture: Artemisia Gentileschi and “Exceptional” Women Painters of the 17th Century
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Sept 25
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Spain, 1590-1625
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Sept 26
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Spain, 1625-1655: Velazquez and Art in the Reign of Philip IV
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Sept 30
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Spanish painting abroad: Ribera, Murillo, and some examples from New Spain
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Oct 2 |
Special Lecture: Velazquez’ Las Meninas – Theorizing Visual Representation
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Oct 7
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Review for Midterm
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Be prepared for discussion with questions; review notes and readings
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Oct 9
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Midterm Exam
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Exam will take place in the classroom
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Oct 14
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Flemish and Architecture, 1600-1625
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Oct 16
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Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony Van Dyck
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Oct 21
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Flemish Painting, 1600-1640: Genre and Still Life Painting
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Oct 23
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Dutch Art and Architecture, 1600-1660
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Oct 28
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Dutch Art and Architecture, 1620-1660:
Rembrandt and Painting in Amsterdam
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Oct 30
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Printmaking from Callot to Rembrandt
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Nov 4
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Dutch Art and Architecture:
Genre Painting and Johannes Vermeer
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Nov 6
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Dutch Art, 1650-1700:
Landscape and Still Life
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Nov 11
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France, 1600-1650: Paris under Henry IV / The French Caravaggisti
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Nov 13
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France, 1620-1650: The Formation of a French School of Painting – the Royal Academy
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Nov 18 |
France, 1650-1700:
Architecture under Louis XIV – Paris and Versailles
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Nov 20
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Italy, 1650-1700: Painting in and out of Rome
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Nov 25
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Italy, 1650-1700: Sculpture in Rome, Venice, Naples and Palermo
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Dec 2
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Italy, 1650-1700: Architecture across the peninsula
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| Dec 4
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Review for Final Exam
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Be prepared for discussion with questions; review notes and readings
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FINAL EXAM DATE AND LOCATION TO BE ANNOUNCED
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