Course Description
A survey of Baroque art and architecture in Italy, Spain, and France from ca. 1590 through 1675. Major artists to be considered include Caravaggio, Bernini, Velasquez, and Poussin.
Athena Title
Baroque Art
Prerequisite
ARHI 2000 or ARHI 2000E or ARHI 2000H or ARHI 2300 or ARHI 2300E or ARHI 2311H or ARHI 2400 or ARHI 2400E or ARHI 2411H
Semester Course Offered
Offered every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The subject of this course is the history of art in Europe during the period known as the Baroque. Although exact dates vary according to location, by general agreement the Baroque is associated with the seventeenth century. In this class students will consider the arts of painting, sculpture, and architecture in Italy, Spain and France. Beginning in Italy the class will commence with a review--both formally and contextually--of the Counter Reformation and the art it produced. Moving from Italy to Spain and France--essentially tracing the spread of the Catholic Roman Baroque-the class will end with a consideration of imperial or monarchical art and architecture at the great courts. The purpose of this class is to expose students to the important stylistic developments associated with the Baroque; it is also, however, to consider the role of societal changes (the seventeenth century being, in essence, the beginning of modern Europe) in the creation of art and the self-fashioning of artists. Students will be asked to take two exams, and occasional midterm, and write two brief papers.
Topical Outline
I. Introduction - The Baroque II. The Counter Reformation III. The Carracci in Bologna IV. The Carracci in Rome V. Caravaggio VI. Caravaggio after 1600 VII. The Second Generation in Rome: The Followers of Annibale Carracci VIII. The Caravaggisti IX. Bernini and Baroque Sculpture X. Baroque Architecture in Rome XI. Poussin XII. French Baroque Painting XIII. Baroque Painting in Spain XIV. Velazquez XV. Royal Patronage in Spain XVI. Royal Patronage in France
Syllabus