To introduce students to the history of illuminated manuscripts, from their origins to the late 16th century. To provide basic knowledge of specialized vocabulary, bibliographical tools, and the main rules for cataloging manuscripts. To familiarize students with several regional schools of Italian Renaissance miniature painting, as a necessary complement to the history of painting of the period.
Course Prerequisites
Good knowledge of the history of Italian art between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
Teaching Methods
Frontal lessons with power-point projection (available on the Kiro platform). The first slide of each power-point contains the bibliography of the subject dealt with. Part of the course is organized in seminars: students will be invited to catalog the illuminated manuscripts of the University Library of Pavia.
Assessment Methods
The exam is oral. Starting from an image chosen from among those of the power-points, the candidate will identify the artist and / or the work, specifying the iconography, the liturgical or literary context, the chronology. If known, he will specify the name of the client and the context of the commission. The student will place the work within the historical evolution lines of the Renaissance miniature, developing the themes treated in class. Mastery of specialist language is required. The written exercise presented during the seminar lessons contributes to the final grade.
Texts
The bibliography on the topics covered in class is available in the first slide of the power-points uploaded to kiro. For the general part, please consult: C. De Hamel, Illuminated manuscripts, Milan, Rizzoli, 1987 (London 1986, 19942) J.J.G. Alexander, Illuminators and their working method, Modena, 2003 (New Haven - London, 1992). The miniature in Italy, II. From late Gothic to Mannerism, curated by A. Putaturo Murano and A. Perriccioli Saggese, Vatican City - Naples 2009. Jonathan J. G. Alexander, The painted book in Renaissance Italy: 1450-1600, New Haven and London, 2016.
Contents
1) Miniature, etymology and definition. technique and treatises; the social context, contracts and costs 2) The initial, from the origins to the humanistic manuscript 3) Renaissance miniature and its relationship with painting Seminars: analysis and cataloging of illuminated manuscripts of the University Library of Pavia.
Course Language
Italian
More information
Non-attending students must agree on the program with the teacher.
