Italian Baroque Art

3 units

A survey of baroque art in Italy, from its origins in the middle of the sixteenth century until its late phase at the end of the seventeenth century. The course will examine some of the factors the led to the baroque in the intellectual and theological debates surrounding the Protestant and Catholic Reformations and the stylistic initiatives that began in the workshops of Michelangelo and Raphael, with special attention to the role of Federico Barocci, introducing new research for an upcoming exhibition on that artist. The course looks at how these and other factors fostered a style of spatial dynamism, expressive coloration, viewer involvement, and psychological subtlety. Topics to be discussed include the renewed interest in the early Christian church, the role of women artists, workshop practice, artists' materials, the role of patronage, and some of the theoretical debates that governed the creation and reception of the visual arts in seventeenth-century Italy. Artists include Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Annibale Carracci, Guido Reni, Guercino, Bernini, and Pietro da Cortona. Prereqs: Intro to Western Art (L01 112) or Intro to Modern Art (L01 211) or permission of instructor.