A central focus of the course is the construction of Venice’s foundation “myths” and the relationship of those claims to wider political and economic interests. The course looks critically at layers of history in the monuments and art produced during this period. Venetian art is characterized by its additive nature: for example, the Basilica of San Marco as we see it today was constructed in the eleventh century over an earlier ninth-century church, and received major interventions into the sixteenth century. As such, the course studies how individual commissions build from one another and work together to form and further specific ideals of religious and civic identity.

In considering Venice as a node of contact between western Europe, Byzantium, and the Islamic world, this course investigates these aspects of the Republic’s identity in terms of cultural exchange across the eastern Mediterranean.

Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

- Recognize key works of art and architecture in medieval Venice

- Analyze visual material within its social and historical contexts

- Understand the chronology of historical events related to medieval Venice

- Demonstrate awareness of significant primary source texts

- Evaluate secondary literature critically and individuate various scholarly approaches

- Identify and interpret key themes, and how to relate these to individual works of art

- Cultivate oral communication skills by discussing art and readings in the classroom

- Develop writing skills that include: the formation of clear arguments; effective organization and structuring of material; visual analysis; and the incorporation and evaluation of primary and secondary sources

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. The final exam period runs until 12 Dec. 2025.

Students will be assigned bi-weekly readings that will be made available through the library. A full list of readings will be provided at the start of the course. 

Provisional Schedule:

Week 1

[9/2] 1. Introduction & Course Overview: Scope, Issues, Requirements

[9/4] 2. Foundation Myths:  The Translatio of Saint Mark from Alexandria to Venice

Week 2

[9/9] 3. Early Medieval Basilicas of the Lagoon

[9/11] 4. Basilica of San Marco: Architecture & Mosaics (832/1040s-90s/12^th-13^th c.)

Week 3

[9/16] 5. The Pala D’Oro

[9/18] 6. Venice & the Fourth Crusade: Byzantine Sculpture on Display

Week 4

[9/23] 7. Venice & the Fourth Crusade: Byzantine Objects in the Treasury of San Marco 

[9/25] 8. Rivals & Diplomacy: Genova

[9/25] 9. Duecento Interventions: The Atrium/Narthex of San Marco (Make-up day)

Week 5

[9/30] 10. Trecento Interventions: Andrea Dandolo & the Baptistery of San Marco

[10/2] 11. Paolo Veneziano & the Trecento Altarpiece

Week 6

[10/7] 11. Venetian Gothic Architecture

[10/9] 12. Midterm Exam Review

Week 7

[10/14] 13. Midterm Exam

[10/16] 14. Research Paper Workshop

Week 8

[10/21] 15. Monumentality: Altarpieces of the Quattrocento

[10/23] 16. Venetian Crete & Icon Production

Week 9

[10/28] 17. Cardinal Bessarion & Venice after the Fall of Constantinople

[10/30] 18. Venice & the Ottomans in the Quattrocento: Bellini & Mehmet II 

Week 10

[11/4] 19. Art & Patronage: Greek Residents of Cinquecento Venice

[11/6] 20. What is a “Renaissance”?

Week 11

[11/11] 21. Colonial Geographies: Mapping the Venetian Empire

[11/13] 22. Past & Present: Painting History in the Cinquecento

Week 12

[11/18] 23. Venice & the Ottomans in the Cinquecento: Trade & Gift-giving 

[11/20] 24. Venice & the Mamluks

Week 13

[11/25] 25. “Orientalist” Art in Venice?

[11/27] 26. No Class (Holiday)

Week 14

[12/2] 27. “The Nature of the Gothic”: John Ruskin & The Stones of Venice

[12/4] 28. Final Exam Review

[TBD 12/9–12] Final Exam