Florence, Italy - Course Descriptions - Art History: Early Gothic to High Renaissance

Course Information

Contact Hours and Credits

Availability

Summary

Beginning with the frescoes of the late 1200’s from the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, this course covers the most important artists of the 1300’s, 1400’s, and early 1500’s. Students are guided through the major artistic developments of these centuries from the spatial discoveries of Giotto, to the mathematical discovery of perspective, and on to the rebirth of interest in the classical world. The course covers historical and political events and analyzes their influence on the artistic production. Many class sessions are held on-site in museums and churches to enhance the in-class slide lectures.

Full Description

Course Description

Your chance to study art history in Florence, where it was made. Many of the classes will be held on-site, in the churches, palaces, and piazzas for which the works were created. The campus of Santa Reparata, located in the heart of Florence, on the site that was once the Medici Garden, is only a few minutes walk from many of the monuments that students will study. The "David" in the Academy Museum, the Medici Palace and Tombs, the Cathedral, and Santa Maria Novella are no more than a 15 minutes walk.

Taught by the Florentine art historian, Caterina Romei, this course will make a lasting impression on the participants, and form a solid basis for the critical understanding of renaissance art.

Beginning with the frescoes of the late 1200's from the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, this course covers the most important artists of the 1300's, 1400's, and early 1500's. Students are guided through the major artistic developments of these centuries from the spatial discoveries of Giotto, to the mathematical discovery of perspective, and on to the rebirth of interest in the classical world. The course covers the historical and political events and analyzes their influence on the artistic production. Class meets 1.5 hours daily and also includes several field trips.

Instructor

Caterina Romei holds a master degree in History of Art at the University of Florence, with a thesis on: "History of the SS.Annunziata church and its transformations of the Counter Reformation period". In addition to 15 years of teaching for the Santa Reparata International School of Art, Ms. Romei has lectured and conducted walking tours in Florence for Goshen College, New York State Teachers Association, Washington University, Emily Carr School of Art and Design and the Koine School.

Daily Class Schedule

• Introduction to the course (one hour). Walk through medieval Florence: SS.Apostoli church, baptistery, tower houses, Dante’s house.
• The birth of Gothic architecture in Italy. St.Francis and the Franciscan. The Assisi Basilica. Painting in Siena and Florence: Cimabue, Duccio, Simone Martini and Giotto.
• Santa Croce Basilica and Orsanmichele church.
• Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral and Opera del Duomo Museum.
• The Florentine merchants and the rise of the middle class:Bernardo Rucellai and Cosimo Medici. Visit to the Medici Palace.
• The birth of Renaissance architecture: Brunelleschi and the discovery of perspective. Visit of San Lorenzo church.
• Flourishing Gothic and Early Renaissance: Gentile da Fabriano, Masolino, Masaccio, Beato Angelico. Visit of San Marco Museum.
• Uffizi Gallery (first part).
• Visit to Santo Spirito church and Brancacci Chapel.
• Mid-term Exam.
• Sculpture in the XV century. 1401 competition for the Baptistery Gate (Ghiberti, Brunelleschi).The Gates of Paradise. Donatello. Visit to the Bargello Museum.
• Painting in the Middle of the XV century: Filippo Lippi, Paolo Uccello. Visit to the Cenacolo di Santa Apollonia.
• Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Pollaiolo. Visit to Santa Maria Novella Church.
• Leonardo da Vinci, painter and scientist.
• Michelangelo: his early life and his painting.
• Michelangelo as a sculptor. Visit to the Medici Chapel and the Academy Museum.
• Final Paper.
• Uffizi Gallery (second part).
• Final Exam.