Studies in Art History

Byzantine Thessalonica This module aims to provide a general framework for art history in Byzantine Thessalonica (4th-15th century). Lessons will be focused on monumental complexes, artworks and artists investigated in their relations with Constantinople, Greece and the Balkans. Course articulation: Lessons 1-5: Thessalonica: history and urban planning from the Hellenistic age to the end of the Byzantine age; the Ottoman city. The agora in the Roman and Byzantine age; the imperial Palatium of Galerius. Christian buildings between the 5th and 6th century; the extra moenia necropolises; the city walls. The Rotunda of St. George and its mosaics. Lesson 6: Seminar. Lessons 7-10: The Acheiropoietos basilica and the oratory of Hosios David. Origin and development of Saint Demetrius’ cult: his shrine from the 5th to the 7th century. The crisis of Thessalonica between 7th and 8th century. The cathedral of Hagia Sophia: architectural novelties and decorative programme. Frescoes in the Rotunda of St. George. Lessons 11: Seminar. Lessons 12-14: The renaissance after the first Millennium: the Panaghìa ton Chalkeon and its patron. Wall paintings in Macedonian and Comnenian age: the narthex of Hagia Sophia and the cycle of Hosios David. Thessalonica after the Fourth Crusade. Lesson 15: Seminar. Lessons 16-19: The Palaiologan renaissance (13th-14th century): the parekklesion of St. Euthymius; the baths of Kulé Kafé; the churches of St. Pantaleimon and St. Catherine. The St. Apostles, from patriarch Niphon to abbot Paul. Luxury arts. St. Nicholas Orphanos and the irradiation of Thessalonica painting in Serbia. Prophet Elijah: the last great church of Thessalonica and empress Anna Palaiologina. Lesson 20-21: Seminar.

PREREQUISITES None

Attending students Tessalonica bizantina, dispense a cura di C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia, A. Paribeni, A. Taddei (available at Centro Stampa Chioschi Gialli, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Città Universitaria, ph. 06-89873441 or 06-90209041 - e-mail: centrostampa@nuovacultura.it) Non-attending students In addition to the above-mentioned volume, Non-attending students are encouraged to read the following essays: La Sapienza bizantina. Un secolo di ricerche sulla civiltà di Bisanzio all’Università di Roma, a cura di A. Acconcia Longo, G. Cavallo, A. Guiglia, A. Iacobini, Campisano Editore, Roma 2012, pp. 153-244; 295-314: - Alessandro Taddei, Il mosaico parietale aniconico da Tessalonica a Costantinopoli. - Livia Bevilacqua, Basilio ‘parakoimomenos’, l’aristocrazia e la passione per le arti sotto i Macedoni. - Silvia Pedone, Il colore scolpito. Raffinatezze cromatiche nella scultura a incrostazione del Medioevo mediterraneo. - Simona Moretti, Viaggio di un trittico eburneo da Costantinopoli a Roma. - Giovanni Gasbarri, Immagini eloquenti. Nuove osservazioni sul codice Atheniensis gr. 211 con le Omelie di Giovanni Crisostomo.

The attendance to the course is strongly suggested. All over the academic year the professor will be available to receive students following the timetable published online on the University website. Any possible variations or suspensions of office hours will be promptly notified. Erasmus students must contact the professor at the beginning of the course.

The exam will be oral and it will take place at the end of the course (intermediate tests will not be held). The oral exam will be focused on the topics of the programme (by using pictures) in order to verify: 1) the depth and breadth of the acquired knowledge; 2) the specific vocabulary; 3) the ability to link themes and problems critically.

None

The course will be held through frontal classes supported by keynote presentations. Moreover, students will also have to attend a Seminar with some in-depth lessons on themes and problems of Byzantine art.