The Arts of Renaissance Courts

Courts were active patronage centers in the areas of secular and religious painting, sculpture and architecture, book illumination, rich narrative textiles for interior use and ornamental ones for costume, as well as ephemeral works for theatrical productions, triumphal entries and festivities. Artists working at court were able to ignore guild regulations, and acquired a status for themselves that set them apart from other urban practitioners. Centering our investigation on primary sources as far as possible, we will study a wide range of works, materials, ideologies and practices that contributed to the reputation of the Italian courts as centers of opulence and power. Final project and weekly class meetings required. Enrollment limited to 20. Instructor permission required.