ARTH 364 Studies in Renaissance Art and Architecture

• Fridays, 11:45am-2:15pm
• EV-1-605
• Instructor: Braden Scott

In 1550, while describing the revival of the ancient Mediterranean in the art and architecture of thirteenth- to sixteenth-century Italy, artist, architect, and biographer Giorgio Vasari used the term rinascita, or “rebirth.” Referred to as the Renaissance by modern scholars, the period from around 1300-1600 is identified by an unmistakable reanimation—a bringing back to life—of antiquity in art, architecture, and intellectual pursuits. The aim of this course is to provide students with the historical contexts around the notable works from the period that afforded Vasari and later historians the ability to describe them as belonging to a Renaissance. Although emphasis is placed on artefacts and buildings that engage directly with the reanimation of antiquity, the overarching goal of the course is to also deliver a chronological survey of key works from the Renaissance and their historical contexts. We will venture beyond the Italian peninsula and explore the spread of antiquarianism across Europe, devoting part of our time to art and architecture in The Netherlands, Germany, England, Spain, and the Americas. Students will develop a vocabulary that is crucial to the art of describing, comparing, and conducting formal analyses, while also paying close attention to critical art historical concepts such as imitation, influence, and style.