Art History through its Primary Sources

(required individual research project for students majoring in Art History)

This course is unique both in aim and content; taking advantage of Siena's rich and varied collection of archival material, our students will have the opportunity of studying first-hand the sources behind and the context surrounding the art of the period. Siena's archives include a fascinating mix of documents, public and private, ranging from legal documents and period biographies to recipe books and letters. Our students will be learning how to read and use the information derived from these sources to interpret Sienese and Florentine Art. This course aims to expose our students to the excitement of handling ancient documents and through them entering the period under study in a uniquely personal way.

The period covered by this course ranges from the Middle Ages to 18th Century Neoclassicism. A significant part of the course will look at the history of art collection in Italy, from the collections of mirabilia of the Renaissance to the birth of museums and public collections in the 19th century.

Students will choose an area for individual research and will be asked to present their final papers in a seminar at the end of the semester. Outstanding work will be evaluated for publication in the Siena School's magazine.

Teacher: Stefania Tullio Cataldo, Francesco Mori