This course is an introduction to Renaissance iconography in Italy and Europe, by exploring in depth the identification, description and the interpretation of the content of art masterpieces between the 14th and the early 16th centuries. This overview will deepen the symbolic meaning of objects, persons and events represented in Renaissance art works and the conventions attached to those images by the Italian and European culture, religion, society and patronage.
The class starts with an introduction to the Italian religious iconography, focusing on the study and interpretation of some of the most important masterpieces by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini and Giotto. It then deals with the socio-political use of art and propaganda (investigating Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s, Spinello Aretino’s and Beccafumi’s achievements in Siena and Filippo Lippi’s, Botticelli’s and Michelangelo’s Buonarroti achievements in Florence), and focusing on the Medici’s patronage.
The class then analyzes Mythology, and special attention will be given to the symbolism of Love and Eroticism, investigating Botticelli’s, Titian Vecellio’s and Tintoretto’s masterpieces). Lastly it deepens the importance of the interpretation of cryptic subjects in art, specifically focusing on Leonardo da Vinci’s Nature symbolism, in contrast with the secret messages of Astrology, Magic, Hermetism, Alchemy and Kabbalah commonly findable in Renaissance Art.
As the Renaissance works are often still in their original physical settings, during field-studies to museums and churches in Florence and Siena, students will have a unique opportunity to experience the works as their original viewers did and as their creators intended.
Weekly meetings are composed of a series of classes with visual presentation, supplemented each time by thematic visits to churches, buildings and galleries in Siena and Florence. The power point presentation, slides, CD-ROMs will help in focusing on the subject in class. The field-studies will provide great opportunities to see some of the most important Renaissance works in their original location. Once a month half-day excursions to Florence (four field-trips).
The Siena School provides you with an “Amici del Museo degli Strumenti musicali membership card”, which grants you free, unlimited admission to many of the State museums of Florence. It is required for every site visit in Florence that you bring this card AND another form of photo identification. Failure to do so will require that you pay for your own admission to the museum. You will often have to use this card for your Looking Assignments in Florence as well. If your card is stolen or lost, please contact the staff. N.B. This card is non-transferable and is personalized for each student.