Iconology and Iconography

Portraiture in Venice during the Renaissance

This program expires in July 2024

Part A (20 hours and 3 credits): introduction to portraiture; questions of method

Part B (20 hours and credits): the portrait in Venice from Jacopo Bellini to Jacopo Bassano

Part C (20 hours and credits): exercises in methodology

Course presentation:
The course intends to present the development of a genre - the portrait - for which Venice was the center of encounters and dialogues between artists, both locals and foreigners. In the sixteenth century it reached forms that have become the canon for European portraiture.
Knowledge of the topics of the monographic course must be accompanied by the study of the development of the history of art (architecture, sculpture, painting) from the beginning of the fifteenth to the end of the eighteenth Century: from the late Gothic to Neoclassicism (inclusive). For this you can use any good manual. Please avoid email requests for a specific manual title. Visual knowledge of the greatest possible number of works of art is required. Is essential to visit Churches and Museums, particularly in Milan (Italian Touring Club guides are recommended). It is also recommended to study "I classici dell'arte" (published by Rizzoli publishing house) and "I maestri del colore" e "I maestri della scultura" (by Fabbri publishing house).

Knowledge of the basic concepts of historical chronology and main movements of Italian and European literature and culture is recommended. Classes are in Italian language.