Art/Patronage:16th-17thc Italy

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

The course, taught at Villa le Balze, is designed to complement the history course which covers a similar period and will begin by looking at artistic developments in later 15th century Florence as a prelude to the High Renaissance, the founding father of which is considered to be Leonardo da Vinci. Early Renaissance Florence was the "cradle" of the Renaissance, but the 16th century sees an artistic shift to Rome where the High Renaissance achievements of Michelangelo, Bramante and Raphael will be examined, as well as the situation in Florence with the work of Andrea del Sarto and in Parma with the work of Correggio. The High Renaissance in Venice represents a separate development represented by the Venetian artists' fascination with colour. The focus will be on Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and the architect, Palladio. The phenomenon of Mannerism will be examined which leads on to developments in Baroque art in Rome in the 17th century as exemplified by Carracci, Caravaggio, Bernini and Borromini. An inter-connecting theme will be patronage and the course will also show how artistic developments are affected by social, political and religious factors.