Aims

During this course, students will learn a range of different methodologies intended to enable them to analyse a selection of key works of Western Art in Modern Times, encompassing architecture, painting and sculpture. They will also learn how to sythesise these analyses and develop a chronological and typological framework for the history of forms and themes in Art.

Main themes

The course introduces students to the major trends and key personalities in European architecture, painting and sculpture from the XVth to the XVIIIth century. It deals with general issues relating to the emergence of art and the artist in society, in theoretical discourse and examines how their work came into being, how it spread and how it was understood. These issues are used to structure analyses of works from the period. From this broad perspective, the course focuses in on particular aspects of artistic activity: Italian architecture, painting and sculpture from the Renaissance to the Baroque period and the "golden century" of Spanish, Flemish and Dutch painters, from French classicism to international rococo.

Content and teaching methods

This course uses case studies of major paintings and sculptures to establish a chronological and/or thematic framework of forms and themes in Western Art in Modern Times. These works are studied primarily in the lecture hall, where the images are projected for students to study. They are presented in chronological and thematic order, and emphasis is placed on identifying changes in style and iconography over time, for all typological domains considered. Varied analytical perspectives will be adopted, giving students an overview of the range and complementarity of different scientific approaches.

Other credits in programs