Michael Baxandall, Painting & Experience in 15th Century Italy,: A Primer in the Social History of Pictorial Style, 2nd edition (Oxford University Press, 1988) ISBN: 019282144X

Linda  L. Murray, Art of the Renaissance, (Thames & Hudson,1985) ISBN: 0500200084

Upon completion of the course, students should be able to:

• discuss what the Renaissance was all about and how it changed  the course of art  in Europe, for the next 400 years
• recognize the Renaissance style and within this period, the personal styles of the various artists
• discuss the philosophy of  Humanism  and understand how it influenced the art of this period
• describe how the artist, through a scientific approach to perspective and a revival of  Classical (Greco Roman) culture in general, increased  his social status and leading to the development of the notion of artistic genius

This study tour takes place in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance in Europe. Students will visit the museums and more importantly, the churches and palaces where they will be able to admire works of art - Architecture, Sculpture and Painting- where they were meant to be seen. The course covers the Renaissance in all its aspects: the Precursors- GIOTTO & DUCCIO; the masters of the 1400's- MASACCIO, DONATELLO,  BRUNELLESCHI, BOTTICELLI - just to name a few and the High Renaissance exemplified by MICHELANGELO, RAPHAEL and LEONARDO.

Students will study how the various disciplines interacted as well as how the social status of the artist developed along with the idea of artistic genius.

Museum visits and fieldtrips are an essential part of this class.

The final grade is based upon the following calculation:
                       489G      199G
A student journal      25%        35%
Final exam in Florence 40%        55%
Research paper         25%      no paper
Class participation    10%        10%

The exam, on the last day of class will include: Slide identifications, short questions and a choice of essay questions. Review sheets will be handed out to help prepare for the exam. The essay questions concern themes discussed throughout the class, for ex. Humanism and its impact upon the arts; the rise of the social status of the artist etc. There will be a review before the exam.

The hotel has been reserved in the heart of Florence:
 Hotel GIADA
 Canto dei Nelli 2, 
 tel.055 268 615 or 215 317
 
The hotel is a 5 min walk from the Central train station called SANTA MARIA NOVELLA (SMN) and is across from the side of the church of San LORENZO.

All lectures take place at the hotel.

We walk a lot! Wear comfortable and warm shoes, bring an umbrella and layers are a good idea because weather can be cold or balmy during the day. Bring a clipboard for note taking in the museums.
There are many cheap restaurants  in the area of the hotel as well as a fresh food market just around the corner.

The journal will help the student to organise the various fieldtrips and museum visits, especially since we will not see everything in chronological order. The student may wish to use a binder with loose leaf papers so that they can organize their journal on a day to day basis or on a chronological basis.

Upper level students must write a research paper of 5-7 pages, involving at least one other source in addition to the class texts. A list of subjects will be provided by the professor on the first day of class. Some examples:

• Compare the same subject ( for ex. Annunciation or David) by two (or maximum three) different artists
• Compare  two (maximum three) works by the same artist to show how his style develops
• Discuss the repesentation of the male nude in the works of___________.
• Discuss the historical factors underlying the Renaissance, etc.

Students must include footnotes and a bibliography. Papers and journals are due by Feb 9.
 
By mail: CMR 426, Box 831, APO AE 09613
E-mail:  l.obrien@tin.it

Books should be read before class : MURRAY: Chap. 1,2,4,7, 8,9,10 BAXANDALL: Sections I & II 

(subject to last min. changes  related to museum openings)

Sat. Jan  10  12-14:00 room assignations 
                 14:00 class begins at the hotel
                       Intro to the requirements, 
                       handouts and maps & Intro lecture
                 15:30 visit to San Miniato church (# 37 
                       on city map) & Pza Signoria
                 19:30 extra lecture for students without
                       an Art History background

Sun. Jan 11       9:00 Pza del Duomo(#2) Ospedale degli 
                       Innocenti(#25)
ARCHITECTURE           Sta  Annunziata(#25)Sta Croce (#26)
           13:00-14:00 lunch
           14:00-18:00 Lecture at the hotel

Mon.              8:30 Bargello (#7) Opere del Duomo, 
                       Orsanmichele(#12), Baptistry
Sculpture              doors (#2)
           14:00-16:15 Lecture
                 16:30 Brancacci Chapel (#31)

Tues.             8:15 private bus to SIENA: pal,      
                       pubblico, Duomo, Baptistry, San
                       GIMIGNANO Collegiato, Pal. Pubblico
                 17:30 return to Florence

Wed.              9:00 Sta Maria Novell (#17)& Cloister,
                       Pal. Ruccellai, Sta Trinita(#16)
                       Lunch
                       1st visit to the UFFIZI (#10)
           16:00-18:00 Lecture

Thurs.            8:00 train to AREZZO: Duomo, San
                       Francesco, Vasari's house
                 13:00 return to Florence : visit San
                       Lorenzo complex (#20) &  Medici    
                       Chapel (#21)
           15:30-17:30 Lecture and then visit to  
                       Accademia (#23)

Fri.              9:00 San Marco(#24), St. Apollonia(#22) 
                       Sta Magdalena 
          14:30- 16:45 Lecture
                 17:00 review vist to the UFFIZI 
                 19:30 optional review for the exam

Sat.        9:00-10:30 question period
           10:30-13:00 exam

Lunches are 45-60 mins.