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 107-052 From Catacombs to Iconoclasm: Early Christian and Byzantine Art

Note

Formerly available as 111-307/407. Students who have completed 111-307/407 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

Availability

3rd and 4th year

Credit Points

12.5

Coordinator

Ms Bronwyn Stocks

Prerequisites

Usually 37.5 points of Art History at second/third year, see Prerequisites

Semester

Not Offered (view timetable)

Contact

A 1-hour lecture and a 1.5-hour seminar per week

Subject Description

This subject deals with Christian art from its earliest periods to the 8th century, focussing on centres such as Rome, Constantinople and Ravenna. Issues to be dealt with may include: the rise of new art forms such as the icon; the emergence of new subjects in art, such as portraits of Christ; and art associated with the cult of the saints, death and the body. The course concludes with an examination of the period of iconoclasm when the notion of visually representing deity was questioned and condemned - a development which had dramatic consequences not only for Christian art but for art in general.

Assessment

An essay of 2500 words, and a classpaper of 1500 words

Prescribed Texts

  • H Belting, Likeness and Presence: A History of the Image before the Era of Art. Chicago 1994.
  • P Brown, Power and Persuasion in Late Antiquity: Towards a Christian Empire. 1992.
  • A Bryer & J Herrin (eds), Iconoclasm. 1977.


Search : Index : Faculty of Arts : Art History
Prev 107-049 Landscape in the Nineteenth Century: Construction and Meaning
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Status:                   Official 1999
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Email Enquiries:          Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au