early italian renaissance

TThe period, which runs roughly from 1400-1500, is known as the Early Renaissance. It was a century of incredible cultural growth and artistic talent (especially in Florence). Economic and political stability, combined with the rediscovery of classical ideals in art, literature and humanistic philosophy, caused a cultural revolution. The new humanistic approach, so different than the Middle Ages, allowed space for exploration, innovation and freedom of expression. Science and art intermingled to create a new, more realistic and intellectual style. Some of the artists to be studied in this course are Brunelleschi, Donatello, Ghiberti, Masaccio, Fra Angelico, Piero della Francesca, Fra Filippo Lippi, Botticelli, Verrocchio, and the young works of Leonardo da Vinci, and Michelangelo.



ARTH 383 (3 credits)
Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite: None

high renaissance & mannerism

The artwork of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo Buonarroti, greatly affected the artists of their time. The period known as the High Renaissance in fact begins with these two artists and their younger counterpart, Raffaello Sanzio. The High Renaissance style migrates from Florence to new cultural centers, namely Venice and Rome, while in Florence, a new style defined as Mannerism emerges. In its origins, Mannerism was to be the imitation of the High Renaissance style, however it soon became the antithesis of the simple, balanced, and logical style of the late 15th century. The course concentrates on artists such as: Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raffaello, Titian, Vasari, Pontormo, Rosso, Fiorentino, Buontalenti, Giambologna and Cellini.



ARTH 393 (3 credits)
Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisite: None

history of contemporary european & italian art

The end of the 40’s brought new directions in artistic practices and belief. With the advent of Happenings, Pop Art, Conceptual Art, Body Art, Earth Works, Installations and many other movements, the role of the artist in society changed significantly. Starting with a review that led to these new directions, the course will take a close look to today’s art. The main focus will be on European and Italian Art. Special attention will be given to the contaminations between visual art with music and/or sound. While analyzing these forms of expression, we will conduct a comparative investigation between the European and the American approach to them. This historical inquiry is essential to artists wishing to understand the challenges art faces at the beginning of the 21st century. Students will gain historical and critical familiarity with the complexity of image representation in order to understand contemporary mixed artistic languages and new media art investigations.


ARTH 395 (3 credits)
Fall. Spring, Summer
Prerequisite: None