Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage: The Case of Sevilla

USF Course Code: ARH 4930

Course objective:

This course provides an overall view of the art history of Spain from the pre-Roman period to the present, dealing in more detail with the particular socio-cultural and historical realities in which the studied creative manifestations are created. A comprehensive approach is used for a better understanding of the development of art in the peninsula in general and in Sevilla in particular.

 

The artistic contributions of early civilizations to Spanish art shall be considered, along with that of internationally reputed artists and architects such as Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Dalí, Gaudí, and Calatrava. Site visits throughout Sevilla and case studies focused on the city will allow students to further explore the relationship between art and Sevillian history and culture. Oral participation is very important and all students are expected to contribute to the class with their questions and commentaries. Students are expected to arrive to class prepared, having done the reading assignments and visits beforehand. These tasks will be discussed in class.

 

Learning Outcomes:

 

• Learn to identify, analyze and critically evaluate the most important artistic expressions in Spain, and specifically in Sevilla.
• Gain an appreciation of Spanish artistic expression within its historical, socio-cultural and political contexts
• Enrich students´ understanding of Sevillian culture and history through its art (paintings) and architecture
• Evaluate the concept of cultural heritage and interpret the impact in Spanish society throughout the centuries.

 

 

Course contents:

FIRST SECTION

 

Introductory Unit

• Pre-Islamic influences in the Art and Architecture in the Peninsula. Social and functional context.
• The case of Sevilla. From the Roman to the Andalusian patio.

 

Unit 1. Spanish-Muslim Art

• When the senses are twisted
• Pre-Roman influences: from the Visigothic horseshoe arch to the co-existence between Mudejars and Mozarabs.  
• Islamic Spain.
  • From the worldview to the concept of beauty.
  • The Caliphate of Cordoba
  • The Nasrid Kingdoms
• The case of Sevilla. Cultural heritage: influence in customs, language, urban and architectural conception and artistic expressions.

 

Unit 2. Middle Ages Art

• Romanesque Art
• Gothic Art
• The case of Sevilla. The impact of the Cathedral for the city.

 

Unit 3. Renaissance in Spain

• Social and historical context. Influences from beyond the Pyrenees. 
• Painting, Sculture and Architecture.
• The case of Sevilla. The Casa de la Contratación. Spain goes to the Americas and the Americas come to Sevilla.

 

Unit 4. The Golden Age

• Concept and meaning of Baroque.  
• Diego Velázquez
• Bartolomé Estebán Murillo
• Juan de Valdéz Leal
• Francisco de Zurbarán
• The case of Sevilla. The survival of the Museums. The Fine Arts Museum.

               

Unit 5. Modern Art

• Francisco de Goya. Anticipating the trends of Modern Art
• Simbolism. Julio Romero de Torres and the Andalusian concept of beauty
• Antonio Gaudí
• Cubism: Picasso and Juan Gris
• Surrealism: Dalí, Joan Miró, Remedios Varo
• Regionalism: Aníbal González
• Santiago Calatrava
• The case of Sevilla. The Anibal Gonzalez school. 

 

Unit 6. The creative industries in the 21^st century.

• The case of Sevilla. Managing Heritage and Cultural Tourism.