Course Catalogue

View Specification Document

Ongoing rivalry between early Italian city states resulted not only in continuing warfare, but also in great buildings and art, as princes and potentates competed to demonstrate power and wealth through civic and private projects. We will look at the quest for artistic superiority in Milan and Mantua (Gonzaga duchy), exploring their many riches which also illustrate the stylistic progress from early Renaissance on into Mannerism and the Baroque.

Block 1: Friday, 13.00-15.00 (weeks 6-10)

 This course will not be delivered in the current academic session.

None

None

None

None

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Covering the cities' principal locations, to provide an introduction to and understanding of architectural structures, knowledge of how the "Orders" work, the influential contribution of Alberti's Sant' Andrea Renaissance church, and later Mannerist and Baroque characteristics.

To examine the many treasures in the Brera Gallery, Leonardo's Last Supper and other painting highlights in Milan's churches (sculpture also features in a few of them), to illustrate stylistic developments through the Renaissance to Mannerism.

To illustrate changing artistic tastes in Mantua through examples of Pisanello and Mantegna's works in the Ducal Palace, contrasting them with the frescoes in Giulio Romano's 16th century masterpiece, Palazzo del Te.  

By the end of this course students will be able to:

Practically demonstrate an understanding of how the "Orders" work, identify architectural aspects drawn from classical antiquity and the stylistic progression of buildings which followed Milan's gothic cathedral into the Renaissance.

Recognise stylistic developments in painting in Milan and Mantua, principally through the 16th century.

Critically analyze the aims and achievements of the Renaissance art in Milan and Mantua.

N/A