The Italian Middle Ages and the Renaissance are key periods of artistic achievement in the history of Europe and Western Culture. This module will introduce the students to the development of Italian art, with special reference to painting, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance period. The module aims to  provide an understanding of works of art within their historical context

by examining issues such as politics, class, religion, patronage, audience, gender and function. Artists such as Cimabue, Giotto, Beato Angelico, Botticelli, Michelangelo, Raphael, Mantegna, Giovanni Bellini and Titian  will be studied through their artistic production.

On completion of the module a student will be able to:

1. demonstrate a knowledge of a wide selection of relevant artistic production from the Middle Ages and Renaissance in Italy;
2. demonstrate critical analytical skills in the exploration and discussion of such material;
3. critically analyse the artistic production examined in the course from a visual, historical and social point of view;
4. show a broad awareness of the issues involved in the analysis of a work of art;
5. show an awareness of the historical, social and cultural background of the artistic works and periods examined.

There will be lectures and seminars up to 26-28 hours in Semester A.

Skills that will be practised and developed:

• The ability to discuss in an informed manner the artistic production examined in the module.
• The ability to point to the distinctive features of artistic production in the different periods of Italian art from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance.
• The ability to present an informed and structured written analysis of the artistic products discussed in the module.
• The ability to debate and exchange opinions in oral discussion.
• The ability to form critical judgements about the relative merits of different works of art and defend these judgements in discussion.

Reassessment will be possible In the Summer Exam Period. 

The module will cover the work of a range of artists from about 1250 to 1600 circa. The choice of artists to be examined may change from year to year. The work of the artists will be examined in chronological order, highlighting both continuities in the construction of traditional themes and also breaks and new departures in techniques and modes of representation.

Indicative Reading and Resource List:

Bibliography

General:

• Vasari, G. The Lives of the Artists; any edition
• Gombrich The Story of Art Phaidon Press Ltd; any edition
• Pointon, M. History of Art A students’ Handbook London and New York: Routledge, 1992
• Edwards, S. Art and its Histories, New Haven and London: Yale University Press & the Open University, 1999
• Welch, E. Art in Renaissance Italy Art in Renaissance Italy Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000
• De Rynck How to read a painting London: Thames & Hudson, 2004
• Hatt, M. and Klonk C. Art history A critical introduction to its methods Manchester: Manchester University Press, 2006
• Hall, J. Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art Philadelphia: Westview Press, 2008
• Chilvers, I. Oxford Dictionary of Art & Artists Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009

The Middle Ages

• Pickering F. P.  Literature and art in the Middle Ages London: Macmillan, 197
• Swaan, W, The late Middle Ages: art and architecture from 1350 to the advent of the Renaissance London  Elek, 1977
• Eco, U. (transl. by Hugh Bredin) Art and beauty in the Middle Ages New Haven ; London : Yale University Press, 1986
• Argan, C.G. Storia dell’arte italiana II - da Giotto a Leonardo Milano: Sansoni, 2002

Renaissance

• Edgerton, S. Y. The mirror, the window, and the telescope : how Renaissance linear perspective changed our vision of the universe Ithaca, NY : Cornell University Press, 2009
• Wittkower, R. Idea and image: studies in the Italian Renaissance [London] : Thames and Hudson, 1978
• Hartt, F. A history of Italian Renaissance art: painting, sculpture, architecture
• Welch, E. S. Art and authority in Renaissance Milan New Haven ; London : Yale University Press, c1995
• Cole, A. Art of the Italian Renaissance courts: virtue and magnificence London : George Weidenfeld and Nicolson, 1995
• Argan, C. G. Storia dell’arte italiana III - da Michelangelo as Futurismo Milano: Sansoni, 2002
• Paoletti, J. T. Art in Renaissance Italy London: Lawrence King Publishing, 2011
• Folin, M. (ed.) Courts and Courtly Arts in Renaissance Italy, Woolbridge: Antique Collection Club, 2011

Botticelli

• Venturi, L. Botticelli  London : Phaidon, [n.d.
• Botticelliwith an introd. and notes by Stephen Spender, [London] : Faber and Faber, [1945]
• The Nativity by Sandro Botticelli; with an introduction by Lionello Venturi, London ; New York : Longmans, Green and Co, 1949.
• Bacci M., Sandro Botticelli’s reproductions Milano : Fratelli Fabbri, 1963
• Bechurucci, L. Botticelli: la Primavera Firenze : Sadea, 1965.
• Frances J. Botticelli London : Knowledge Publications, [1965]
• Deimling, B.Sandro Botticelli Koln : Benedikt Taschen, c1994.
• Swinglehurst, E. The life and works of Botticelli Great Britain : Parragon, 1994.

Brunelleschi

• Brunelleschi [text by Enzo Carli], Milano : Electa Editrice, 1952
• Fanelli, G. Brunelleschi Firenze, Italy : Becocci, 1980
• Saalman, H. Filippo Brunelleschi : the cupola of Santa Maria del Fiore London : Zwemmer, c1980.
• Battisti, E. Brunelleschi : the complete work London : Thames and Hudson, 1981
• Chiarelli, R. San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels Firenze : Becocci Editore, [1984]
• Klotz, H. Filippo Brunelleschi : the early works and the medieval tradition London : Academy Editions, 1990
• King, Ross,  Brunelleschi's dome : the story of the great cathedral in Florence London : Chatto & Windus, 2000
• Fanelli, G. Brunelleschi's cupola : past and present of an architectural masterpiece Firenze : Mandragora, 2004

Donatello

• Linsay, D. Donatello, any edition
• Buscaroli, R. L'arte di Donatello : 134 illustrazioni in 41 tavoleFirenze : Monsalvato, [1942]
• Gaeta Bertelà, G. Donatello London : Constable, 1978
• Lightbown, R. W. Donatello & Michelozzo : an artistic partnership and its patrons in the early RenaissanceLondon : Harvey Miller, 1980
• Chiarelli, R. San Lorenzo and the Medici Chapels Firenze : Becocci Editore, [1984]

Giotto

• Giotto: [reproductions] / [text by] Giovanni Previtali :[Milano : Fratelli Fabbri, 1964]
• Ruskin, John  Giotto and his works in Padua London : G. Allen, 1905. (free from Amazon on a Kindle)
• Bassi, E. Cappella of the Scrovegn I Milano : Martello, [1960]
• Stubblebine, James H. Giotto, the Arena Chapel Frescoes London : Thames & Hudson, 1969
• Smart, A. The Assisi problem and the art of Giotto : a study of the legend of St Francis in the Upper Church of San Francesco, Assisi London: Clarendon Pr., 1971
• Dunkerton, J. [et al.] Giotto to Durer : early Renaissance painting in the National GalleryNew Haven : Yale University Press London : National Gallery Publications, 1991
• Maginnis, Hayden B. J. Painting in the age of Giotto : a historical re-evaluation University Park, Pa : Pennsylvania State University Press, c1997

Leonardo da Vinci

• Goldscheider L. (ed) Leonardo da Vinci, London : Phaidon Press, New York : Oxford University Press, 1948
• Pedretti, C. Leonardo da Vinci on painting: a lost book (Libro A) reassembled from the Codex Vaticanus Urbinas 1270 and from the Codex Leicester with a chronology of Leonardo's Treatise on painting ; foreword by Sir Kenneth Clark, London : P. Owen, 1965.
• Bacci, M. Leonardo, da Vinci, Milano : Fratelli Fabbri, 1965.
• Clark, K. Leonardo da Vinci : an account of his development as an artist Harmondsworth : Penguin, 1967
• Santi B., Leonardo da VinciLondon : Constable, 1978

Michelangelo

• De Tolnay, C. Michelangelo: sculptor, painter, architect Princeton ; London : Princeton University Press, 1975.
• Argan, G. C. and Contardi, B. Michelangelo architect translated from the Italian by Marion L. Grayson London : Thames and Hudson, 1993
• Rasponi S. Michelangelo New York : Avenel Books, 1978
• Canaday, J.  Masterpieces by Michelangelo New York: Crown Publishers, Inc, c 1979
• Murray, L. Michelangelo his life, work and times London: Thames and Hudson, 1984
• Bull, G. Michelangelo: A Biography London, New York: Viking, 1995
• Ryan, C. Poetry of Michelangelo : an introduction London : Athlone, 1998

Raphael

• Raffaello: [reproductions] / [text by] M. G. Ciardi Duprè Dal Poggetto, M. G., Milano: Fratelli Fabbri Editori, 1963-64.
• Thoenes, C. Raphael Taschen GmbH; Ill edition, 2005
• Franzese, P. RaffaelloMilano: Mondadori Arte, 2007
• Whistler, C.Drawings by Michelangelo and Raphael Oxford : Ashmolean Museum, 1990
• Goffen, R. Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian New Haven : University Press, 2002

Mantegna

• R.H. Wileski (ed.) Mantegna and the Paduan School London: Faber and Faber, 1947
• Cieri Via C. Mantegna Firenze: Giunti Editore, 2010
• Signorini, R., Reborato V., Tammaccaro S. Andrea Mantegna. Impronta del genio Firenze: Olski, 2010

Giovanni Bellini

• Batschmann, O. Giovanni Bellini London: Reaktion Books, 2008
  • Goffen, R. Giovanni Bellini New Haven : Yale University Press, 1989
• Tempestini, A. Giovanni Bellini Milano: Rizzoli, 1998
  • Titian
• D’Elia, U. R. The Poetics of Titian’s religious paintingsCambridge: CUP, 2005
• Gill, I. D. Titian London : Tiger Books International, c1989
• Goffen, R. Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian New Haven: University Press, 2002
• Hope, C. (ed.) Titian: EssaysLondon: National Gallery, 2003
  • Walker, J.  Bellini and Titian at Ferrara : a study of styles and tasteLondon : Phaidon Press, 1956  

of Titian’s religious paintingsCambridge: CUP, 2005

Gill, I.D. Titian London : Tiger Books International, c1989

Goffen, R. Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, TitianNew Haven: University Press, 2002

Hope, C. (ed.) Titian: EssaysLondon: National Gallery, 2003

Walker, J.  Bellini and Titian at Ferrara : a study of styles and tasteLondon : Phaidon Press, 1956  

s, 1975.

Argan, G. C. and Contardi, B. Michelangelo architecttranslated from the Italian by Marion L. Grayson London : Thames and Hudson, 1993

Rasponi S. Michelangelo New York : Avenel Books, 1978

Canaday, J.  Masterpieces by MichelangeloNew York: Crown Publishers, Inc, c 1979

Murray, L. Michelangelo his life, work and times London: Thames and Hudson, 1984

Bull, G. Michelangelo: A Biography London, New York: Viking, 1995

Ryan, C. Poetry of Michelangelo : an introduction  London : Athlone, 1998

Raphael

Raffaello: [reproductions] / [text by] M. G. Ciardi Duprè Dal Poggetto, M. G., Milano: Fratelli Fabbri Editori, 1963-64.

Thoenes, C. Raphael Taschen GmbH; Ill edition, 2005

Franzese, P. RaffaelloMilano: Mondadori Arte, 2007

Whistler, C.Drawings by Michelangelo and Raphael Oxford : Ashmolean Museum, 1990

Goffen, R.Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian New Haven : University Press, 2002

Mantegna

R.H. Wileski (ed.) Mantegna and the Paduan SchoolLondon: Faber and Faber, 1947

Cieri Via C. MantegnaFirenze: Giunti Editore, 2010

Signorini, R., Reborato V., Tammaccaro S. Andrea Mantegna. Impronta del genioFirenze: Olski, 2010

Giovanni Bellini

Batschmann, O. Giovanni BelliniLondon: Reaktion Books, 2008

• Goffen, R. Giovanni BelliniNew Haven : Yale University Press, 1989

Tempestini, A. Giovanni BelliniMilano: Rizzoli, 1998

• Titian

D’Elia, U. R. The Poetics of Titian’s religious paintingsCambridge: CUP, 2005

Gill, I.D. Titian London : Tiger Books International, c1989

Goffen, R. Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, TitianNew Haven: University Press, 2002

Hope, C. (ed.) Titian: EssaysLondon: National Gallery, 2003

Walker, J.  Bellini and Titian at Ferrara : a study of styles and tasteLondon : Phaidon Press, 1956  

S.Andrea Mantegna. Impronta del genio Firenze: Olski, 2010

Giovanni Bellini

Batschmann, O. Giovanni Bellini London: Reaktion Books, 2008

• Goffen, R. Giovanni Bellini New Haven : Yale University Press, 1989

Tempestini, A. Giovanni Bellini Milano: Rizzoli, 1998

• Titian

D’Elia, U.R. The Poetics of Titian’s religious paintings Cambridge: CUP, 2005

Gill, I.D. TitianLondon : Tiger Books International, c1989

Goffen, R. Renaissance rivals : Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian New Haven: University Press, 2002

Hope, C. (ed.) Titian: Essays London: National Gallery, 2003

• Walker, J.  Bellini and Titian at Ferrara : a study of styles and taste London : Phaidon Press, 1956