Loyola University Chicago

Instructor: Prof. John Nicholson

Meeting Days: Tuesdays & Thursdays + a Friday TBA

Meeting Times: 2:20 - 3:35 pm 

Course Description and Objectives

     In art history the term Renaissance (literally “rebirth”) refers to the revival in the visual arts that began in fourteenth century Florence and extended into the sixteenth century. This course studies the first phase of the Renaissance in the fields of painting, sculpture, and architecture from the late Middle Ages through the fifteenth century. This study begins with the Italo-Byzantine and Gothic styles of the late Middle Ages and the transition to the new naturalism exemplified in Giotto’s art. A large part of the course is devoted to the Florentine quattrocento beginning with the art of Donatello (sculpture), Brunelleschi (architecture), and Masaccio (painting). The course continues with an examination of the impact of these innovations in fifteenth century Florence and northern Italy. The final section will deal with the transition to the High Renaissance in the art of Leonardo da Vinci and the early works of Michelangelo and Raphael.

     The primary objective of the course is to know and understand the art of this very important period in Italian and European history. Works of art will be studied in relation to historical context, the role of artists and patrons, techniques and materials, iconography (content and meaning), and stylistic features. Thus, the course will also serve as an introduction to the problems, methods, and terminology of art history. Another, not less important objective is to enhance understanding and appreciation of the visual environment. Any study of the world of art should result in awareness of the role that human creativity has focusing and organizing our perceptions and thereby enriching our lives.

Reading

Required Text: Frederick Hartt & David C.Wilkins. History of Italian Renaissance Art. 6^th  ed. Prentice-Hall.

Photocopied readings.

Reference: Sylvan Barnet. A Short Guide to Writing about Art. Harper Collins. James Hill, Dictionary of Subjects & Symbols in Art. Harper Row.

(These titles are on Reserve in the Library.)

Course Requirements

Examinations

There will be three exams. First exam, Oct. 1. Second exam, Nov. 4. (This exam will include a take-home essay.) Final exam, Dec. 10.

-          Changes in exam dates are not open to negotiation. Absence from an exam without a valid excuse will result in an F (0 points) for the exam.

-          Make-up exams require a valid excuse. Make-up exams will not be given for travel-related absences.

-          Cheating or dishonesty of any kind on an exam will be penalized with an F grade.

Participation and Attendance

Because the viewing and discussion of slides is an essential part of the course, regular attendance at class is expected. Fifteen points have been assigned for participation and attendance. Those absent from four or more meetings will forfeit the fifteen points assigned for this requirement.

Florence Visit

This has been scheduled for Nov. 14-15 (Friday afternoon and Saturday morning). The program will include visits to the Cathedral, Baptistery, San Lorenzo, Santa Croce, the Accademia and the Uffizi Galleries. Entrance fees will be subsidized by a special Rome Center fund. Note. Five points of the course grade have been assigned for this requirement.

Grading

Course Grade

First exam, 20%. Second exam, 30%.Final exam, 30%. Class participation, 15%. Florence visit, 5%.

Grading Scale

95-100 = A. 92-94 = A-.  88-91 = B+. 84-87 = B. 80-83 = B-. 77-79 = C+. 73-76 = C. 70-72 = C-.  65-69 = D+. 60-64 = D.

59 and below = F.

Office Hours

Weekly hours posted on the Bookstore bulletin board.

E-mail: jnich1@luc.edu

Lectures and Reading

Note. All chapter and page references are to Hartt & Wilkins, 6th Ed.

Introduction

•           Italy and Italian Art. Ch. 1, 17 - 36.

The Late Middle Ages: Italo-Byzantine and Gothic

• -          Painting in Tuscany and Rome. Ch. 2, 39-57.
• -          Sculpture in Pisa and Siena. Ch. 2, 57-64.
• -          The Art of Giotto. Ch. 3, 73-96.
• -          Painting in Siena. Ch. 4, 103-30.

The Early Quattrocento in Florence

Sculpture

• -          The 1401 Competition. Lorenzo Ghiberti. Ch. 7, 177-85.
• -          Early Donatello. Ch. 7, 185-90. 192-95.

Architecture

• -          Brunelleschi and the New Architecture. Ch. 6, 159-75.

Painting

• -          Gentile da Fabriano. Ch.8, 201-04.
• -          Masolino and Masaccio. Ch.8, 205-19.

The Second Renaissance Style

• -          Fra Angelico and Fra Lippo Lippi. Ch. 9, 221-37.
• -          Leonbattista Alberti. Ch. 10, 239-46.
• -          Later Ghiberti and Donatello. Ch. 10, 251-52; 255-61. Ch.12, 302-05.
• -          The Second Renaissance Style in Painting. Ch.11, 265-97.

The Late Quattrocento in Florence

• -          Antonio del Pollaiuolo. Ch. 13, 325-31.
• -          Alessandro Botticelli. Ch. 13, 337-53.

Gothic and Renaissance in Northern Italy

• -          Andrea Mantegna. Ch. 15, 398-408.
• -          Antonello da Messina and Giovanni Bellini. Ch. 15, 412-14.

Transition to the High Renaissance

• -          Leonardo da Vinci. Ch. 16, 445-68.
• -          Michelangelo. Ch. 16, 469-78.
• -          Raphael. Ch. 16, 479-83.

From Alistair Smart. The Renaissance & Mannerism in Italy.