History of Art II

Description    

The course presents an overview of the history of Western art and architecture from the end of the Middle Ages in the 14th century to the beginning of Modernism in the 19th century. We will study the art styles of the successive periods of art history beginning with Gothic and Late Gothic art and architecture, followed by the Renaissance, Mannerism, Baroque, and Rococo, and concluding with Neoclassicism and Romanticism and the beginning of Modernity. We will discuss the most important artists and art works that have formed and exemplified the art styles of their time. The classroom lectures will be combined with excursions to museums, art galleries, and historical sites relevant to the topics covered in the class.

Learning Outcomes    

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
– Identify major art-historical periods and styles of art and architecture from the Prehistoric period to the Middle Ages; define and describe their main characteristics using key terminology;
– Identify important art, artists, and architecture examples, and apply knowledge and terminology of artistic/architectural styles to these examples;
– Discuss themes of representative examples of art and architecture and contextualize them within the main socio-cultural, and historical influences of their time;
– Analyze works art and architecture using the basic methodologies of art history: form, content and context.