ARTH 314 – The Art of Florence: Exploring Visual Culture

Formerly AAH 214 – The Art of Florence: Exploring Visual Culture

Description
During the Renaissance, the city of Florence was the site of some of the most remarkable artistic experiences in European history. Why did a single city make such a great contribution to the history of the visual arts? What set of circumstances and conditions made this possible?
This course is designed to explore such crucial questions through an examination of historical factors that made Florence the birthplace and point of reference for what we now call “Renaissance art”. Therefore, we will examine the careers and the artworks of some central figures who were active in Florence at the time; among them are Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo. Emphasis will be placed on having direct experience of artworks. Therefore, class meetings will alternate between lectures in the classroom and visits to museums such as the Uffizi, Palazzo Pitti, and the Accademia on the one hand and monumental churches such as Santa Croce, San Lorenzo or the cathedral on the other.

Learning Outcomes
– Understand the fundamental concepts of art historical studies and their terminology.
– Possess the essential skills of visual, contextual, and comparative analysis.
– Assess the relationship of art and architecture in the historical context of late medieval and Renaissance Florence (from the 14th to the 16th century).
– Be familiar with the origins, nature and development of the Renaissance in the visual arts through its main artistic representatives.

Course descriptions may be subject to occasional minor modifications at the discretion of the instructor.

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