500998 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL ART - A

courses

ID:

500998

Duration (hours):

36

CFU:

SSD:

STORIA DELL'ARTE MEDIEVALE

Located in:

CREMONA

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 23/01/2026)

Course Objectives

At the end of the course, students are expected to have an adequate knowledge of the history of medieval Italian art, to be able to navigate the chronology and artistic geography of the medieval period, and to be able to recognise the works of the main figures discussed in class and described in the textbook. Students are also expected to be able to describe the works of art introduced during the course using appropriate terminology.

Course Prerequisites

Previous knowledge of Italian and European history from the early Christian era to the end of the Middle Ages (including the late Gothic period) is required.

Teaching Methods

The course includes lectures, focusing in particular on the analysis of images of the works (using PowerPoint presentations that will be shared on Kiro by the end of the course). Visits to museums and monuments of particular interest are also planned.

Assessment Methods

The assessment will take the form of an oral examination during which students will be tested on their ability to recognise, describe and contextualise the images of the works analysed in class and discussed in the bibliography. Students will be shown a number of images, without captions, which they will be asked to recognise and describe.
For those who wish, there will also be a written test, in lieu of the oral exam, which will be held after the end of the course.

Texts

The most suitable and comprehensive manual for exam preparation is the following: P. De Vecchi - E. Cerchiari, Arte nel tempo, Bompiani, Milan 1991 (or subsequent editions). In particular: Volume 1, tomo I, parte II, capitoli 4 (Roma capitale dell’Impero e capitale del mondo cristiano) e 5 (Le nuove capitali dell’Impero); Volume 1, tomo II; Volume 2, tomo I, parte I, capitolo 1 (Il Quattrocento “internazionale”) If there are difficulties in finding the above textbook, one of the versions of the following textbook may be used: G. Cricco - F. Di Teodoro, Itinerari nell'arte, Bologna 2012 (other editions to be agreed with the lecturer) In particular: Volume 1, VERSIONE VERDE (Dalla Preistoria a Giotto) Volume 3, VERSIONE ARANCIONE (Dal Gotico Internazionale al Manierismo; solo il capitolo sul Gotico Internazionale) Non-attending students must agree with the professor on an in-depth study to be presented at the exam. The professor will publish a list of possible readings on Kiro as a non-binding suggestion for this in-depth study.

The lessons will illustrate the evolution of medieval art history, always in relation to the contemporary historical context, from the 4th to the 15th century. The key works (in terms of architecture, painting, sculpture and decorative arts) of each historical period and the main artists of each phase will be observed and described. Particular attention will be paid to the use of specific terminology, useful for “reading” iconography and works of art. In summary, the topics covered in the classroom lessons will be as follows: - Periodisation of the history and art of the European Middle Ages; - Early Christian art; - The time of the “barbarians” and the Lombards in Italy; - The renovatio of the Empire (Carolingian Renaissance and Ottonian Renaissance); - Romanesque Europe; - Gothic art (architecture, painting and sculpture); - Late Gothic art (architecture, painting and sculpture).

Course Language

Italian

More information

Students who are entitled to inclusive teaching must contact the professor in advance to determine the most suitable examination method. Any concept maps must be submitted to the professor for review at least one week before the exam. During the lecture period, the professor is available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Studio 11, by appointment. Students can write to the professor's institutional email address to arrange an appointment.