Aims

At the end of the course, the student will be able to :
use the principal tools for bibliographic work, iconographic classification, electronic references... ;
analyse the message of the composition and the relation between the shapes (syntax) and the message of colours, materials, and bases chosen by the artists ;
make use of the notion of the function of images ;
recognize the authors and stagesof the great iconographic indexes of Greco-Roman mythology and the Bible.

Main themes

Introduction to the methods of analysis of the image, as a source of information, means of communication and expression, and object of interpretation for the archaeologist and the art historian .

Content and teaching methods

Definitions.
Historiography of iconology as science of the visual image.
Methodological principles and tools for reading and interpreting the image.
Fundamental notions and problems concerning the analysis of the image as a fully qualified language, the creation of the image, the varying identity of the image (isolated, in a composition, in cycles,...), the programs and the main iconographical genres, as well as the different functions of the image.

Other information (prerequisite, evaluation (assessment methods), course materials recommended readings, ...)

Open book final examination. Individual or team exercises: iconological presentation of a figurative art work so that the students can assess the knowledge of methodology they have acquired.
Small course book with reference to the commented art works, some of them illustrated on the website about the course. Bibliographical references and iconographical classification systems.

The collections of the Gallery of LLN and other art galleries or exhibitions visited together will be used as resources for the assignments and observations of the students.

Other credits in programs