Aims

At the end of the course, the student will be at ease in the reading and use of monuments and plastic art works, of all kind of techniques, from the 3rd till about the 7th century after JC. He will recognize : - the sources of inspiration ; -the repertoires and main programmes of images and functions of art ; -the major art productions in their social, economic and political background. The common principles and some regionalisms will be assimilated.

Main themes

General introduction to the history of religious art and profane art from the late christianised Ancient civilization in the West and the East. Links to texts and liturgy. Recovered and new elements compared to the Greek-Roman world.

Content and teaching methods

Contents : introduction to the christianised Late Antiquity - about 200 till 700 after J.C. - and its artistic expressions in the different provinces, mainly in the West and its Mediterranean areas -Iconography, architectural techniques and styles, sculpture (sarcophaguses, liturgical furniture, ivory, ;..), painting (wall and miniature painting) and mosaic, decorative arts and other objects : common foundations, great innovations, different provincial schools and their features. - By the study of key works as well as themes and sites, the turning point of this artistic period will be pointed out : continuity and integration of numerous ancient traditions, setting of the foundations of the plastic expression of the christianised thought and relations with future developments.

Method : - An outline of the religiosity of the late antique civilization opens the course, with the study of the artistic expressions of different philosophies and pagan religions, of Judaism and Christianity till the turn of the era. - Urban space in evolution, residential complexes (4th-6th c.) of important owners and cultual buildings (funeral, baptismal, pilgrimage, etc...) will be studied in this sense : architecture, decoration, different artefacts, functioning . - The method is based on references to relevant texts (literary, liturgical, scientific, economic, epistolary, etc.) and to economic and political developments of the time. - Discoveries, results and trends in research will be pointed out. - Course in the form of conferences illustrated by projections

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

The principles and vocabulary of art history, mainly of Greek-Roman ancient civilization, are supposed to be acquired knowledge.

Assessment by final oral examination ; the student will benefit from a preparation time.

Available Tools: copies of reproductions of studied works during the course. Also copies of maps and plans, of chronological surveys, of bibliographies...

Programmes in which this activity is taught

Other credits in programs