Studies in Art History

ALESSANDRO TADDEI

The main objective of the course is to provide a basic knowledge of Byzantine Art History.
As regards specific objectives, students are expected to learn:
a) the ability to comprehend Byzantine artworks in historic, stylistic, iconographic and technical terms;
b) the ability to describe them with the appropriate vocabulary of the discipline;
c) autonomy of critical judgement.
In order to pursue these targets, during the course students will be asked to take part actively in the analysis of artworks and monuments by employing the basic critical categories necessary to their correct framework. A parallel objective will be also the development of an adequate awareness about artistic heritage and its valorization.
The topics of the course, such as the competencies and abilities to learn, are part of the core curriculum of the Study Programme in Art History Sciences.

By the end of the course, students should have acquired new skills and specific knowledge relating to the subject matter covered. They should be able to apply their learning in practical contexts, thereby improving their efficiency and confidence in their work or research. Furthermore, the course aims to foster core transferable skills such as comparative analysis and critique of historiography, which are fundamental to personal and cultural growth, as well as forming a foundation for master's degree programmes.

Regular attendance to the course does not depends upon the attainment of preparatory credits or exams.

History of Byzantine Art (4th to 15th century): An introduction

The course is devoted to the scholarly investigation of the material relics of the Byzantine millennium from late antiquity and the Early Byzantine civilisation up to the conquest of Constantinople in 1453 AD. Classes will provide students with an overall knowledge of the Eastern Roman empire and its history. This wide chronological span will be dealt with by adopting the conventional sub-periodisation:
1. Early Byzantine period (4th to 7th century);
2. Middle Byzantine period (8th to 12th century);
3. Late Byzantine period (13th to 15th century).
Byzantine art, archeology and culture will be explored, with an emphasis on the capital city, Constantinople, and the other major centres. Cross-cultural interactions between Byzantium and its neighbours will be considered as well. A particular focus mainly on the following subjects:
a. Architecture
b. Sculptural decoration
c. Paintings
d. Illuminated manuscripts
e. Objets d'art

1. Introduzione all’arte bizantina (IV-XV secolo): lecture notes edited by C. Barsanti, M. della Valle, R. Flaminio, A. Guiglia, A. Iacobini, A. Paribeni, S. Pasi, S. Pedone, A. Taddei, Roma 2012 + CD with colour plates (to be purchased from Centro Stampa Chioschi Gialli, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Città Universitaria, phone number 06-89873441 or 06-90209041 - e-mail: centrostampa@nuovacultura.it)..
2. Andrea Paribeni (ed.), Architettura bizantina, Milano: Electa, 2009 (to be purchased at Centro Stampa Chioschi Gialli, P.le Aldo Moro 5, Città Universitaria, phone number 06-89873441 or 06-90209041 - e-mail: centrostampa@nuovacultura.it).

Students who do not attend classes regularly (less than 55%-addendance) are kindly requested to proceed to further readings. They may choose one among the following texts:
1. Enrico Zanini, Introduzione all’archeologia bizantina, Roma: Carocci, 1994.
2. Leslie Brubaker, L'invenzione dell'iconoclasmo bizantino (translated by M. C. Carile), Roma: Viella, 2016 (English edition: Inventing Byzantine Iconoclasm, London: Bristol Classical Press, 2012.

The course will be based upon class attendance.

Class attendance is highly recommended. Students who cannot assure their attendance to the 55% of classes will be considered as "non-attendant students".

The final (oral) exam is based on assigned readings in textbooks and in lecture notes. The course does not imply any sort of midterm test.
In order to pass the exam, a final grade corresponding to 18 points out of 30 is needed. Students are expected to be acquainted with the basic notions of the subject and, more precisely, they should demonstrate to have attained a proper knowledge of the development of Byzantine art through the centuries together with the relevant geo-political, historical and cultural frame.
To pass the exam with full marks - 30 points out of 30 cum laude - students must show a high proficiency in all the learning outcomes and a full understanding of the issues that were dealt with during classes. They are requested to be able to work out in a logical and coherent way the data and information they have acquired.

The exam is based on accurately identifying individual objects or architectural contexts described in the set texts. Simply describing the presented image does not constitute identification. Once a valid identification has been made, the student must verbally provide a 'standard description' as follows:

a. Place the object and/or site in a geographical and chronological context. If no date is given, provide the relevant century or centuries.
b. Describe the main characteristics of the object and/or site (e.g. construction technique, architectural structure).
c. Analyse the function and significance of the work, explaining the historical context in which it was created and how this may or may not have influenced it.
d. Where appropriate, expand on the discussion with other artefacts/sites that provide possible points of comparison.

• • Books: Introduzione all’arte bizantina (IV-XV secolo): lecture notes


• • Books: Introduzione all’arte bizantina (IV-XV secolo): lecture notes


• • Books: Introduzione all’arte bizantina (IV-XV secolo): lecture notes