ARH 3300 Renaissance Art

In this course, we will study the paintings, sculptures, architecture, and "minor arts" of the Italian Renaissance (1300-1600). We will focus primarily on the major artistic centers of Rome, Florence, and Venice. We will also consider the role of trade and artists' travels for the transmission of ideas, styles, techniques, and materials across Europe. You will learn to identify major works of art from this era, describe the stylistic characteristics of specific artists and cities, and explain how artworks relate to specific religious, historical, social, and political contexts. We will also trace several key themes: the drive for perfection in art, the resurgence of interest in classical antiquity, the interest in the human body and naturalism, art's religious and civic functions, changing conceptions of what it means to be an artist, and the structures of artistic training, competition, and patronage.