107-063 Eighteenth-Century Art

Usually 12.5 points of first-year art history or first-year European studies.

This subject focuses on late 17th and 18th century art in France and Italy, taking as its point of departure the work of Nicolas Poussin and its role in the reconfiguring of French art under Louis XIV, and following French developments through the Regence and reigns of Louis XV and XVI (Watteau, Boucher, David). Close attention is paid to the interaction between French visual culture and Baroque traditions in Italy - Barocchetto, Rococo, Neoclassicism - focusing on art and architecture in Rome (Panini, Batoni, Mengs, Canova; Trevi Fountain, Villa Albani) and in Venice (Tiepolo). Particular emphasis is placed on the physical context of art production, including palace, hotel and villa interiors, decoration, rococo, chinoiserie, feaming and installations of paintings. Students should become familiar with the styles, techniques, and history of painting, sculpture and architecture in France and Italy in the 18th century.

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