A survey of the history of western art and architecture from Renaissance times to the mid nineteenth century. We will explore the art of Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo to the beginnings of photography in the mid nineteenth century
Quarters Offered
Winter
Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students should be able to demonstrate the following knowledge or skills:
- Recognize famous works of art and architecture from the western tradition, such as the Mona Lisa or Michelangelo’s David put in context of history, culture, and style;
- Connect artistic traditions and expression to the fields of history, literature, religion, and science;
- Apply skills of visual literacy to the world, becoming an informed and aware viewer.
Course Content Outline
- Introduction: key art terms, various art history approaches, roles of artists, and basic styles of representation (realism, abstract, non-representational).
- Early Renaissance: the development of oil painting and art work created for the patronage of the Catholic Church.
- High Renaissance and Mannerism: the masters of the Renaissance such as Leonardo, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Donatello.
- Northern Europe: the effect of the Protestant Reformation on the artwork of Northern Europe from the Catholic on the Renaissance in the south.
- Baroque and Rococo: artwork of the Counter Reformation and its emphasis on theatrical drama in Baroque art, the Rococo as a response to the constraints of religion.
- Neoclassicism: the eighteenth century Age of Enlightenment with Neoclassicism.
- Romanticism: the development of Romanticism as a reaction to the austere Neoclassicism.
- Nineteenth century realism: the influence of photography on nineteenth century realism.
Department Guidelines
- Weekly assignments that will range from quizzes, written reviews of journal and magazine articles, studio projects, or work sheets
- Research presented through written or oral presentations
- Outings to museums and galleries as available
PO4 should be assessed: Students will be able to recognize or articulate personal/interpersonal aspects of, or connections between, diverse cultural, social, or political contexts.
PO5 should be assessed: Students will be able to solve problems by gathering, interpreting, combining and/or applying information from multiple sources.