107-020 The Age of Leonardo da Vinci

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.

The course focuses in depth on the art and culture of Renaissance Italy in Florence during the life of Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519). In part of the course we will examine the life and works of Leonardo da Vinci and their critical reception, from Giorgio Vasari until today. Leonardo's work and his own theoretical writings will be contextualised within the artistic theory of the early Renaissance especially Alberti's theories on painting, sculpture and architecture. The course will also look at the art of Leonardo's contemporaries, Verrocchio, Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and others. The myriad activities of Leonardo as an engineer, anatomist, inventor, geometer, architect, musician, will be examined in relation to his contemporaries.

• 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 intelligibly and economically through essay writing and tutorial discussion;

• be able to manage and organise workloads for recommended reading, the completion of essays and 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).

A subject reader will be available from the Bookroom at the beginning of semester