Liberal Arts

Art History I: Medieval and Renaissance Art in Siena and Florence

An overview of Art History in Central Italy in Middle-Ages and Reinassance.

ARH101 Art History 1 - Medieval & Renaissance Art in Siena and Florence
Instructor: Roberto Fineschi

Course Description
This course will provide an overview of Art History in Central Italy in Medieval and Renaissance time from the 13th century through the 16th century. The main focus of the course will be the most significant works of art and their relationship with the historical and cultural changes. The course will also examine the role of the artist and the patron, the guilds and the church patronage and the way all these elements influenced the style of artistic production especially in Siena and Florence. Object of the course will be the study of the development of Medieval and Renaissance art in Tuscany and the analysis of the greatest artists of this period: Giotto, Simone Martini, Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Donatello, Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael. The course aims not only to give the students a good knowledge of Art History but also to stimulate a sensibility to visual and fine arts. As the program is set in Siena, one of the most famous artistic cities in the world, the course will obviously take advantage of the great number of opportunities offered by the city and its monuments. In fact the students will have the possibility to visit churches, museums and other monuments to see directly the original masterpieces of Medieval and Renaissance Art.

Prerequisites
The course has no prerequisites.

Contact Hours
The course meets twice a week for a total of 3 hours a week. Total contact hours are 45 hrs including excursions. Suggested credits: 3; 

Course Objectives
By the end of this course students will have acquired a good knowledge of Italian medieval and renaissance masterpieces. Students will be able to recognize the most important artworks, by analyzing the style and the historical context.

Course Components
Every week the lecture will be in class, using power point presentation, slides and CD-ROMs or on site in Siena and Florence (3 trips). Lectures in class, group work, videos, museums, visits in town.

Instructor's Contact
Office Hours: by appointment
email: r.fineschi@sienaschool.com

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