Iconografia medievale
A.Y. 2019/2020
Learning objectives
The course offers an approach to the medieval visual language, by analysing a series of paradigmatic cases from the early Christian to the Romanesque age. Spacing between monumental contexts and sumptuary artefacts, between painting, sculpture and goldsmithery, iconographic readings and methodological considerations will be proposed, all within a historical and chronological framework.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: Acquisition of methodological tools aimed at investigating meanings and functions of medieval artefacts.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Capacity to identify subjects and scenes in order to bring out their semantic layers, also with reference to the liturgical space; using an appropriate vocabulary.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Capacity to identify subjects and scenes in order to bring out their semantic layers, also with reference to the liturgical space; using an appropriate vocabulary.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Title: Paradigms of Medieval Iconography
Teaching Unit A: Genesis and early developments in Christian iconography.
Teaching Unit B: Early medieval trials.
Teaching Unit C: Narration and symbol in Romanesque age.
Teaching Unit A: Genesis and early developments in Christian iconography.
Teaching Unit B: Early medieval trials.
Teaching Unit C: Narration and symbol in Romanesque age.
Prerequisites for admission
Suitable knowledge of the medieval history and art history in the West. Knowledge of the main medieval contexts and artefacts in Milan.
Teaching methods
Lectures, both in the classroom and at medieval monuments in Milan.
Teaching Resources
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR ATTENDING STUDENTS
Teaching Unit A:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Study of the following book: T. Mathews, Scontro di dei. Una reinterpretazione dell'arte paleocristiana, Milano, Jaca Book, 2005 and reprints (The Clash of Gods. A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, Princeton 1999 and reprints) [chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Teaching Unit B:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Full study of the following essay: W. Cupperi, «Regia purpureo marmore crusta tegit»: il sarcofago reimpiegato per la sepoltura di Sant'Ambrogio nella Basilica Ambrosiana a Milano, in «Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Classe di Lettere e Filosofia. Quaderni», 14, 2004, pp. 141-175 (FULL TEXT available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale).
Teaching Unit C:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Full study of the following essay: F. Scirea, Il congegno figurativo, fra Antico Testamento e Giudizio finale: sistema ornamentale, iconografia, vettori, (with summary in English), in Idem (ed.), San Tommaso ad Acquanegra sul Chiese. Storia, architettura e contesto figurativo di una chiesa abbaziale romanica, Mantova, SAP, 2015, pp. 89-131 (FULL TEXT OPEN ACCESS: http://hdl.handle.net/2434/332929 - additional full color illustrations available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale).
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Teaching Unit A:
Full study of the following book: T. Mathews, Scontro di dei. Una reinterpretazione dell'arte paleocristiana, Milano, Jaca Book, 2005 and reprints (The Clash of Gods. A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, Princeton 1999 and reprints).
Teaching Unit B:
Study of the following book: M. Andaloro, S. Romano (eds), Arte e iconografia a Roma. Da Costantino a Cola di Rienzo, Milano, Jaca Book, 2000 and reprints [essays by A. Fraschetti, M. Andaloro, E. Parlato, M. Andaloro e S. Romano: pp. 11-132, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Teaching Unit C:
Study of the following book: P. Piva (ed.), Arte medievale. Le vie dello spazio liturgico, Milano, Jaca Book, 2012 and reprints [essays by M. Angheben, J. Baschet, B. Boerner: pp. 147-247, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Teaching Unit A:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Study of the following book: T. Mathews, Scontro di dei. Una reinterpretazione dell'arte paleocristiana, Milano, Jaca Book, 2005 and reprints (The Clash of Gods. A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, Princeton 1999 and reprints) [chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Teaching Unit B:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Full study of the following essay: W. Cupperi, «Regia purpureo marmore crusta tegit»: il sarcofago reimpiegato per la sepoltura di Sant'Ambrogio nella Basilica Ambrosiana a Milano, in «Annali della Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa. Classe di Lettere e Filosofia. Quaderni», 14, 2004, pp. 141-175 (FULL TEXT available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale).
Teaching Unit C:
Knowledge of the topics covered during the lectures (slides available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale). Full study of the following essay: F. Scirea, Il congegno figurativo, fra Antico Testamento e Giudizio finale: sistema ornamentale, iconografia, vettori, (with summary in English), in Idem (ed.), San Tommaso ad Acquanegra sul Chiese. Storia, architettura e contesto figurativo di una chiesa abbaziale romanica, Mantova, SAP, 2015, pp. 89-131 (FULL TEXT OPEN ACCESS: http://hdl.handle.net/2434/332929 - additional full color illustrations available on the website: ariel.unimi.it / Iconografia medievale).
BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR NOT ATTENDING STUDENTS
Teaching Unit A:
Full study of the following book: T. Mathews, Scontro di dei. Una reinterpretazione dell'arte paleocristiana, Milano, Jaca Book, 2005 and reprints (The Clash of Gods. A Reinterpretation of Early Christian Art, Princeton 1999 and reprints).
Teaching Unit B:
Study of the following book: M. Andaloro, S. Romano (eds), Arte e iconografia a Roma. Da Costantino a Cola di Rienzo, Milano, Jaca Book, 2000 and reprints [essays by A. Fraschetti, M. Andaloro, E. Parlato, M. Andaloro e S. Romano: pp. 11-132, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Teaching Unit C:
Study of the following book: P. Piva (ed.), Arte medievale. Le vie dello spazio liturgico, Milano, Jaca Book, 2012 and reprints [essays by M. Angheben, J. Baschet, B. Boerner: pp. 147-247, including footnotes, illustrations and captions].
Assessment methods and Criteria
The examination consists of an interview aimed at verifying the acquired knowledge, the historical and chronological framing ability, the critical thinking and the speaking skills.
Modules or teaching units
Unita' didattica A
L-ART/01 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL ART - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica B
L-ART/01 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL ART - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Unita' didattica C
L-ART/01 - HISTORY OF MEDIEVAL ART - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Professor(s)
Reception:
July 2025: by appointment, in-person or video-call receiving (please, write ONLY from the university email). August no receiving
Department of Cultural Heritage and Environment, via Noto 6, 20141 Milan (or video call MS Teams)