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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 296"
COURSE NAME: "Italian High Renaissance Art (Partially on-site; Mandatory trip to Florence)"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring Semester 2012
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Smyth Carolyn
EMAIL: [email protected]
HOURS: W 14:45-17:30
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES: Partially on-site; mandatory 3-day trip to Florence
OFFICE HOURS: Wednesdays 10:30-12:30 or by appointment

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

Aims of the Course:

 

            Students will be expected to develop, in the course of the semester, the following:

 

-       A familiarity with period and individual styles of High Renaissance art through a study of major works. Ready recognition of selected works, and knowledge of relevant factual information.

 

-       Command of problems of interpretation in relation to the study of selected works; basic familiarity with subject matter and iconography,

function, patronage and purpose

 

-       An understanding of different art historical methodologies and views of the period through selected readings by major scholars in the field

 

-       A familiarity with some contemporary sources and writings on High Renaissance art.

 

-       A basic understanding of the historical, political and social context in which this art and architecture was produced and in which artists and architects were formed.

 

-        Development of critical thinking about art and art history through course readings,  assignments and class discussion

 

-       Improved research skills through use of not simply the JCU library (and ideally, others in Rome), Jstor, and use of bibliographical sources, published and electronic.

 

-       Furthering of writing skills: declaration and development of a clearly stated theme, organization, discussion of distinctive views and approaches, written expression and structure.

 

-       Furthering of oral communication skills, through class discussion.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:

            It would not be hyperbolic to state that the period in Italy from ca. 1470-1520 was a moment in which art and architecture represented one of the most crucial areas of human endeavor.  Art in the High Renaissance was regarded, by those who made and used it, not as a gratuitous luxury or ornament to society, but as an integral part of religious worship, intellectual inquiry, and the fabric of the state. The importance given to the visual arts by popes and rulers, writers and thinkers, churchmen and businessmen, and of course, by artists themselves was immense, and the aesthetic and intellectual level achieved in painting, sculpture and architecture was nothing less than stupendous. This course will investigate this phenomenon, in an effort not only to appraise and to understand individual artworks, but also to examine who and how art in this period was considered of vital interest to society, religion, investigative thought and political persuasion.

            We will examine the works of some of the most accomplished figures of Western culture –Botticelli, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Bramante, to name only a few – and the intellectual movements and social contexts in which these artists lives. The foundations of the High Renaissance begin largely, though not exclusively, in Florence; these explorations gather momentum as Central Italian artists, in Rome, lend their talents to the spiritual and imperial ambitions of the papal court. In these years artists and their patrons, along with influential men of letters, address the culture of the ancient past with renewed rigor and sophistication. Religious belief and doctrine, as well as the authority of the popes, are being defined and also challenged. In narrative cycles, altarpieces, mythologies and allegories, portraiture, ecclesiastical and civic building, some of the best minds of the period are enlisted to express contemporary ideas and debates.

            Wölfflin’s denomination of this cultural production as “Classic Art” is descriptive of a style that established the perfect balance between natural observation and ideal form. Also “classic” is the attention given by High Renaissance artists and patrons to the precedent of ancient Rome: in literary movements and antiquarianism, in formal style and motifs, in the recreation of the plan of ancient Rome. Already in the Early Renaissance the humanist enterprise of reassessing and appropriating, for contemporary purposes, ancient achievement was underway. In High Renaissance Rome, especially during the ambitious papacy of Julius II della Rovere, Study of the ancient splendor of Rome was part of a program of “renovation,” as both model and legitimization of papal power.

            Some of the topics to be addressed will include: Medici culture in Florence and Neoplatonism; the rise of Savonarola and his legacy in religious art; continuity in della Rovere patronage between SIxtus IV and Julius II; private patronage in palace and chapel; public sculpture as commemoration and civic pride; the study of nature and art as science; portraiture as social image and speaking likeness; spatial illusion and new relationships beween art and the viewer; architectural theory and practice; the developing role of the artist in society; and the formation of the papal image through art and architecture.

            This course has been scheduled as a double period, to allow several on-site classes to monuments, churches and museums here in Rome. In addition, there will be a weekend trip to Florence to examine painting, sculpture and architecture of the High Renaissance in person, often within the original context . (Tentative date for weekend in Florence: Friday March 30 – Sunday April 1.)

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
See "Course Aims"
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
ForthcomingFrederick Hartt and David WilkinsMore reading forthcomingXXXXX     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
NONE

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Assignments forthcoming as prof struggles with new syllabus format!XXXXXXXXX

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
Forthcoming (for reason stated above!)
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Attendance is mandatory.
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

Scedule Forthcoming. Note that Weekend Study Trip in Florence will porbably be March 30-April 1.