107-020 Art of the Italian Renaissance

Usually 25 points of first-year art history, see Prerequisites.

This subject focuses on the art and culture of Renaissance Italy. It commences with early 15th century Florence and the ground-breaking sculpture of Ghiberti and Donatello and the architecture of Alberti and Brunelleschi, and concludes at the beginning of the 16th century with the rivalry between Michelangelo and Leonardo at the Palazzo della Signoria. An understanding of emerging Renaissance artistic ideals and a modern attitude to art is central to the subject. It is, at the same time, careful to develop an awareness of the many other ways in which Renaissance viewers experienced art: as craft, as divine presence, or as a charged sexual talisman. By opening up the Renaissance to varied perceptions and interpretative frameworks, the subject thus seeks to advance students' understanding beyond such generalisations as Renaissance individualism or Renaissance rebirth.

• be able to research through the competent use of the library and other information sources, and be able to define areas of inquiry and methods of research in the preparation of essays;

• be able to conceptualise theoretical problems, form judgements and arguments and communicate critically, creatively and theoretically through essay writing, tutorial discussion and presentations;

• be able to communicate knowledge in an intelligent and economical way through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, essays, assignments and examination revision;

• be able to participate in team work through involvement in syndicate groups and group discussions.

A seminar report of 500 words 15% (due during the semester), an essay of 1500 words 35% (due during the semester), and a take-home exam of 2000 words 50% (during the examination period).