Renaissance Bodies: Art, Magic, Science

3 units

Against the notion of ideal classical form commonly associated with Early Modern art, this course pursues the complex and often contradictory conception of Renaissance bodies at the intersection of aesthetic ideal, empirical study, and superstition. Topics include anatomical illustration, pornographic prints, bodily metaphors for the artist, and the corporeal representation of sin, holiness, and savagery. Prereqs: L01 112, L01 113, L01 211, or L01 215, or permission of instructor.