107-023 Baroque Art

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history.

This subject deals with painting and sculpture in Italy, France, Spain and the Netherlands in the 17th century. The artists on whom most attention is focused include Caravaggio, Artemisia Gentileschi, Annibale Carracci, Domenichino, Guido Reni, Bernini, Velazquez, George de La Tour and Poussin. It aims to give an introduction to the main issues to be found in the art historical literature on these artists, and so the subject deals with a wide range of questions and themes. These include colour and chiaroscuro; theory, practice, and the rise of academies; interpretation/iconography, gender, biography, and poststructuralist readings; art and culture.

• 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 bibliographic exercise 10% (due during semester), a 2000 word essay 45% (due during semester), and a 2000 word take-home exam 45% (due during the examination period).

A subject reader will be available.