JCU Logo

JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 375"
COURSE NAME: "Selected Topics in Baroque Art: Baroque Art in Naples: Mandatory trip to Naples"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Tuck-Scala Anna
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: T 13:15-16:00
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS:
PREREQUISITES: Prerequisite: one previous course in Art History
OFFICE HOURS: by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Naples, a southern Italian city of ancient Greek origin (known as "Partenope" in the 7th c. BCE), was ruled by Spanish viceroys in the seventeenth century. Three times larger than Rome, it was the second largest city in Europe after Paris. Although Rome around 1600 was the cradle for the main innovations in European seventeenth century painting, they reached their fruition in unexpected ways in Naples, where artists from all over Italy and Europe moved, sought commissions, and imported and adapted their styles. The immediate and thoughtful reactions of local artists resulted in works of art, which are not only among the best Naples has to offer, but are some of the most significant of the entire century.

 

The course begins with the emergence of the baroque style in Rome around the turn of the century. Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio and Annibale Carracci reformed Mannerism, by forging a new style of painting, which arose from debates over naturalism, ideal beauty, decorum, and the didactic and propagandistic aims of the Counter-Reformation. Caravaggio followers and the Carracci Bolognese School painters in the first two decades of the century explored these concerns further.

 

The course subsequently traces those artists who from Rome moved to Naples. Of interest is how they were received and perceived by the local Neapolitans. Some artists found immediate success, like the controversial Caravaggio, whereas others, like Guido Reni, found hostility, or in the case of Domenichino, a mysterious death. The works of these "foreign" artists, as well as Lanfranco and Artemisia Gentileschi, had a strong impact on the formation of the Neapolitan baroque school of painting. Talented local painters, such as Battistello Caracciolo, Massimo Stanzione, Bernardo Cavallino, Andrea Vaccaro, and Luca Giordano, will be studied in order to understand the implications of what they borrowed and rejected from their more famous peers who arrived from Rome.

 

Topics addressed include the complex relationship between papal Rome and Spanish vice-regal Naples, as well as the threat of the eruption of the Vesuvius, the social upheaval of Masaniello's revolt, the devastating plague of 1656, and the widespread worship of San Gennaro and other local saints. The subjects and patrons of paintings in Naples demonstrate a native strong belief in miracles, devotion to souls in purgatory, charitable assistance given to the poor, and the powerful influence of Spanish rulers. Jusepe de Ribera, a Spanish realistic painter, who adopted Naples as his home, sums up in many ways the particularly complex, dramatic and poignant qualities of Neapolitan artistic culture during this period. Students will learn why Caravaggio's revolutionary style was appreciated the most and lasted the longest in Naples compared to any other city in Italy or Europe.

 

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
"Selected Topics in Baroque Art: Painting in Naples" is a survey of seventeenth-century painting, starting with its origins in Rome and its development in Naples. Lectures, several on-site visits in Rome, and a field trip to Naples will focus on why well-known painters left Rome for Naples, how they were received and the impact they had on the development of an impressive local school of painting. The most prominent Neapolitan painters will be studied in depth, as well as the subjects that they concentrated on, which reflect the dramatic conditions of Neapolitan society at that time. Specific assigned readings for each class topic will be given. Students will also learn about how to do research in Naples.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:

--Gain knowledge of Italian baroque painting and its development in Rome and then Naples.

--Understand the special characteristics and originality of the Neapolitan school of painting.

--Become familiar with the main churches and museums of Naples.

--Learn about the history of Naples and the qualities that make Neapolitan culture different from other regions in Italy.

--Become familiar with how to conduct research in Naples, including archival work.

--Gain experience looking critically at original works of art in situ

--Become more articulate in discussing and writing about abstract ideas.

--Obtain precious firsthand experience with works of art that are little-known or difficult to view on one's own.

TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Art and Architecture in Italy, 1600-1750Rudolf Wittkower (revised by Joseph Connors and Jennifer Montagu)Yale University Press0-300-07939-7 Other articles and book chapters will be assigned for each class session.   
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Midterm exam on March 6The midterm exam format: 2 compare and contrasts, 2 unknowns, 5 terms to define, and a brief essay based on lectures and readings.20%
Final examThe final exam is the same format as the midterm. It is not cumulative. The exam date will be during finals week (date to be announced).20%
On-site presentationA brief on-site presentation (about 15 minutes) will be given on a Neapolitan painting at the Capodimonte Museum (topic to be selected from a list prepared by the professor).10%
Oral review of an assigned articleA brief (15 minute) critical review of an assigned article on art in Naples.10%
Term paperThe paper should be 18-20 pages long and it is due on April 17. Topics will be chosen in consultation with the professor. To earn a high grade, papers must be well-written. Plagiarism is not acceptable.25%
Attendance, participation and improvementAttendance is mandatory. Absences are excused only with official documentation of illness or emergency.15%
Reading assignmentsIn addition to the textbook, assigned articles and book chapters will be read for each class session for discussion (see separate list). 

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:

Assessment Guidelines for assigning main letter grades: A, B, C,D, and F.

A:  Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensiveknowledge 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.

B:  This 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.

C:  This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

D:  This 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.

F: This 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 mandatory. Absences are excused only with official documentation of illness or emergency.
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

SessionSession FocusReading AssignmentOther AssignmentMeeting Place/Exam Dates
January 17, 2012Overview of the history of Naples from its ancient Greek origins as Partenope in the 7th c BCE to the presentSee separate list of assigned readings for each class session  
January 24, 2012The culture and key monuments of Naples in the seventeenth century   
January 31, 2012The beginning of the baroque style in Rome and its sources: Antiquity, the High Renaissance and naturalism   
February 7, 2012The pioneers of baroque painting: Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio   
February 14, 2012Caravaggio and his works in Naples   
February 21, 2012The Bolognese School and Rome   
February 28, 2012The Caravaggisti and Artemisia Gentileschi in Naples   
March 6, 2012 midterm   midterm
March 13, 2012Battistello Caracciolo, the father of the Neapolitan school of painting   
March 20, 2012Spring break   
March 27, 2012The Bolognese painters in Naples, the competition at the Treasury of San Gennaro in the Cathedral   
April 3, 2012Jusepe de Ribera, "lo Spagnoletto"   
April 10, 2012Massimo Stanzione, the Neapolitan Guido Reni; Bernardo Cavallino   
Friday, April 13-Saturday, April 14, 2012Mandatory study fieldtrip to Naples   
April 17, 2012Andrea Vaccaro, "nobilissimo professore" of Neapolitan painting Term papers due 
April 24, 2012Luca Giordano, "Luca fa presto" and his call to Spain   
Final exam   during finals week (April 28-May 4, 2012), to be announced