CSU IP Italy Virtual International Program FALL 2020

ART 403 EARLY RENAISSANCE ART IN ITALY

Instructor: Alice Parri Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Thurs., 10:15am – 11:15am (Pacific Standard Time) / 7:15pm – 8:15pm (Italy)

Class Schedule: days/times Thurs., 9:15am – 10:15am (Pacific Standard Time) / 6:15pm – 7:15pm (Italy) Class Location: Online via Zoom

COURSE DESCRIPTION The course aims at providing students with a basic knowledge of the Early Renaissance Art in Italy -and specifically in Tuscany - from its premises in the Medieval Period up to the Late- 1400s. The work of leading artists such as Giotto, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti, Fra Angelico, Pollaiolo, Verrocchio, Botticelli, Lippi, Ghirlandaio, will be analyzed and discussed. The relationship between artists, patrons and public in the Florentine Quattrocento context will be investigated thanks to famous examples and designated case studies. Emphasis will be given also to technical and material aspects as well as to the artworks’ conservative history.

Credits: 3 CSU Units

CSU GE CATEGORY C3, C4 or C elective

REQUIRED BOOKS AND READINGS Frederick Hartt, History of Italian Renaissance Art, Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, Seventh Edition, Pearson, 2010 (or previous editions) - ISBN: 9780205705818 ($ 63,61): Introduction, Chapters 1, 2 ,3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, focusing on works covered in class.

In addition to the textbook students will be provided with: - the teacher’s weekly lectures in pdf format (available on Canvas) to be studied for the exams; - a selection of images divided by authors (available on Canvas) to be studied for the exams; - short educational units to improve students’ knowlwdge regarding specific issues (available on Canvas); - short hand outs (available on Canvas) extracted from the following books: *The Craftsman's Handbook by Cennino Cennini, Daniel V.Thompson (1954 or following editions) *L.B.Alberti, On painting, translated by Cecil Grayson, Introduction and notes by Martin Kemp (1991) *M. Baxandall, Painting and experience in 15th century Italy (1972 or following editions)

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COURSE METHODS The course is organized in: - Lectures given by the teacher (on line sessions on Zoom) focusing on specific topics as listed in the classroom schedule; - Learning objects: short educational units and readings (available on Canvas) to be examined by students individually at home.

GENERAL COURSE REQUIREMENTS You are responsible for the weekly readings, the information given to you in class or on Canvas. Part of your grade will be determined by regular attendance, participation in class discussions and active engagement in all activities of this course. Make sure to check your Canvas account on a regular basis for updates and additional information.

CLASS SITE VISITS Teaching material includes the use of short videos and animated slideshow presentations of the most important Florentine sites (mainly churches) where the 14th and 15th century artworks covered in class have been executed for and are still preserved.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Students will learn to:

- ‘Read’ and analyze 15th century artworks. - Understand the peculiarities of the Early Renaissance Art in Italy and specifically in Tuscany. - Situate in the right time period and contest names, biographies, dates, works and techniques of the most important artists listed in the course syllabus and course material.

LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the semester students will be able to:

- Identify the main artists of the 1400s Italian Art; - Place them and their artworks in their social and historical context; - Discuss with appropriate vocabulary different art techniques, materials and procedures; - Outline the main issues related to the 1400s changes in style.

GRADES/ EXAMS Your grade will be determined by the following assignments: • Midterm 45% • Final 45% • Class participation 10%

Students will perform two written exams (Midterm and Final).

WRITTEN EXAM The final exam will take place on December 17 from 9:15am - 10:15am (Pacific Standard Time), 6:15pm to 7:15pm (Italy). Day and time to be confirmed.

Written exam format: the exam will include all issues dealt with in class during the course.

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IMPORTANT: you must attend the final exam as scheduled. Please check your academic calendar before making any personal plans that could interfere with your exam.

GRADING SCALE Student performance has been outstanding and indicates an exceptional degree of A 100-94 academic achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements A- 93-90 B+ 89-87 Student performance has been at a high level and indicates solid academic B 86-84 achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements B- 83-80 C+ 79-77 Student performance has been adequate and indicates satisfactory academic C 76-74 achievement in meeting learning outcomes and course requirements C- 73-70 D+ 69-67 Student performance has been less than adequate and indicates deficiencies in meeting D 66-64 the learning outcomes and/or course requirements D- 63-60 Student performance has been unacceptable and indicates a failure to meet the F 59-0 learning outcomes and/or course requirements

IMPORTANT: Failure to complete all work assigned in the course could result in failure of the class.

CLASS CODE OF CONDUCT Activities unrelated to the course (including private conversations, emailing, text messaging, reading, web surfing, etc.) are not permitted during class time. Please turn off or put all electronic devices on silent mode prior to the beginning of the class.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED Any form of plagiarism or cheating may result in a failing final grade in the course and might be reported to IP and your campus. You are better off spending your time studying for the class. If you have questions about what constitutes academic dishonesty, please refer to the student handbook and catalog of your campus or ask the CSU Office of International Programs for more information.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES Upon identifying yourself to the instructor and the university, students with disabilities will receive reasonable accommodation for learning and evaluations. For more information, contact the CSU Office of International Programs.

COPYRIGHT AND PRIVACY LAWS No portion of the texts, films, videos, and other material used in this course can be reproduced in any format including scanning, electronic downloading or sharing of files. In addition, no portion of class lectures, discussions, and activities can be reproduced and used any format, including electronic, without the written consent of the instructor and/or guest speakers.

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CHANGES Information contained in this syllabus, including the class calendar, other than that mandated by the University, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.

ATTENDANCE POLICY Attendance to ILP CSU courses is mandatory. Two unexcused absences are allowed during the course but more than two unexcused absences will lower your grade (excused absences will be accepted for serious medical reasons or emergencies) as follows: 3 unexcused absences, lowers one letter grade; 4 unexcused absences, lowers two letter grades; 5 unexcused absences , lowers 3 letter grades. More than five unexcused absences could result in failure of the course.

In order not to disrupt the class, punctuality is required. Students are expected to be in class online, at the beginning of the class hour; any delay exceeding ten minutes will be considered an absence. During the academic year, material will be distributed by email or through Canvas by the instructor. Students who have not attended class are responsible for getting the material from their classmates or if possible, from Canvas. All assigned homework should be completed prior to the class.

I. The language spoken in class is English.

II. Missing the final exam could mean failure of the course.

III. Incompletes will be allowed only for serious emergencies and must be completed within two weeks.

Professor is available, by prior appointment, for short clarifications and explanations, during office hours.

CLASSROOM SCHEDULE SEPTEMBER 2020

Week One: Sept. 24 - Which Renaissance? Introduction to the course. Explanation of the syllabus and the use of digital tools and resources. The idea of “Renaissance” and its historical fortune.

Week Two: Oct. 1 - The Premises Italian Medieval Art, Giotto, his work and his legacy. Techniques: Gilding and Panel painting – the Polyptych.

Week Three: Oct. 8 - A new ‘perspective’ Issues on the representation of space and human figure by Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello, Masaccio, Paolo Uccello, and Piero della Francesca. The artists’ interest in the human body and its anatomy. The crucial role of drawing.

Week Four: Oct. 15 - Transition in Florentine sculptures The complex of the Chatedral and the Baptistery’s doors. Andrea Pisano, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Filippo Brunelleschi, Donatello.

Week Five: Oct. 22 - Transition and revolution in painting Masolino and Masaccio in the Brancacci Chapel; Masaccio in Santa Maria Novella Church.

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Week Six: Oct. 29 - Living with statues The primacy of sculpture in the public, political and social life. David and Judith, bivalent symbols of private and public power and freedom. Donatello, Ghiberti, Verrocchio and and the external sculptorial cycle of the Orsammichele Church.

Week Seven: Nov. 5 MIDTERM EXAM

Week Eight: Nov. 12 - Private patronage The Medici Family and other wealthy Florentine families; commissions and main cycles of frescoes. Domenico Ghirlandaio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Filippino Lippi.

Week Nine: Nov. 19 - Real and ideal beauty Filippo Lippi, Antonio Pollaiolo, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli.

Week Ten: Nov. 26 - US Holiday Thanksgiving. No class online today. An additional assignment or lecture to make up this class will be announced.

Week Eleven: Dec. 3 – Working in a workshop Masters and pupils, ateliers, activities, production and organization. Examples from Pollaiolo, Verrocchio, Ghirlandaio, Luca della Robbia.

Week Twelve: Dec. 10 - Devotional practice Fra Beato Angelico’s pictorial cycle in the San Marco Complex and Andrea del Castagno’s artworks in the Sant’Apollonia Church.

Week Thirteen – December 14 - December 18 FINAL WRITTEN EXAM - December 17 from 9:15am - 10:15am (Pacific Standard Time), 6:15pm to 7:15pm Italy. Day and time to be confirmed.

Written exam format: the Midterm exam will be focused on chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of the textbook and will include all issues dealt with in class during the first part of the course (except for Oct. 29 lecture). The Final exam will be focused on chapters 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 of the textbook and will include all issues dealt with in class during the second part of the course (plus Oct. 29 lecture).

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