History of Contemporary Art Criticism
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to investigate the role of contemporary art criticism in the international context. In particular, the goal is to present to learners the plurality of trends and theories that cross the artistic system from the mid-nineteenth century to the eighties of the twentieth century. Some case studies will be examined which focus on problems of interpretation and historical contextualization.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge: to acquire specific knowledge on the tradition and the genres of art literature in the contemporary age
Skills: Development of a critical approach and a method for analyzing the artistic literary text of the contemporary age
Skills: Development of a critical approach and a method for analyzing the artistic literary text of the contemporary age
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course can be attended as a single course.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 Hours and 3 Ects): The Art Criticism of Contemporary Art. Reading Pathways in the 19th Century. Prof. Paolo Rusconi
Didactic part A offers an opportunity for reflection on the role of art criticism, in its various forms (from militant criticism to historiography), against the backdrop of the international contemporary art system, from the mid-nineteenth century to the beginning twentieth century.
Part B (20 Hours and 3 Ects):The Art Criticism of Contemporary Art. Reading Pathways in the 20th Century. Contract Professor
Didactic part A offers an opportunity for reflection on the role of art criticism, in its various forms (from militant criticism to historiography), against the backdrop of the international contemporary art system, from to the beginning twentieth century to the present day .
Part C (20 Hours and 3 Ects): Literature on Modigliani
Prof. Paolo Rusconi, Contract Professor
Didactic part C address some key moments in the critical acclaim of the artist and the reception of his work.
The course will be taught through collaboration between the professor in charge and a contract professor.
Didactic part A offers an opportunity for reflection on the role of art criticism, in its various forms (from militant criticism to historiography), against the backdrop of the international contemporary art system, from the mid-nineteenth century to the beginning twentieth century.
Part B (20 Hours and 3 Ects):The Art Criticism of Contemporary Art. Reading Pathways in the 20th Century. Contract Professor
Didactic part A offers an opportunity for reflection on the role of art criticism, in its various forms (from militant criticism to historiography), against the backdrop of the international contemporary art system, from to the beginning twentieth century to the present day .
Part C (20 Hours and 3 Ects): Literature on Modigliani
Prof. Paolo Rusconi, Contract Professor
Didactic part C address some key moments in the critical acclaim of the artist and the reception of his work.
The course will be taught through collaboration between the professor in charge and a contract professor.
Prerequisites for admission
Basic knowledge of the history of contemporary art.
Teaching methods
Lectures with seminar lessons and monographic readings focused on periods, contexts or individual issues. The use of multimedia technologies is expected during the lessons.
Teaching Resources
For attending students
Part A
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts
S. Bordini, L'Ottocento 1815-1880, Le fonti della storia dell'arte/7, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (chapters II, VI, VIII, IX)
Part B
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts
H.B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art. A source book by Artists and Critics, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, University of California Press, 1968 (chapters I, II, III, IV, VII)
Part C (reserved for students who attend the exam for 9 Ects)
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts:
-Modigliani, dal vero. Testimonianze inedite e rare raccolte e annotate da Enzo Maiolino, a c. di L. Lecci, Genova, De Ferrari, 2016.
SUBJECTS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT ATTEND THE LECTURES
Part A
- Required texts
S. Bordini, L'Ottocento 1815-1880, Le fonti della storia dell'arte/7, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (chapters II, VI, VIII, IX)
Part B
- Required texts
H.B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art. A source book by Artists and Critics, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, University of California Press, 1968.
Part C (reserved for students who attend the exam for 9 Ects
- Required texts:
-Modigliani, dal vero. Testimonianze inedite e rare raccolte e annotate da Enzo Maiolino, a c. di L. Lecci, Genova, De Ferrari, 2016.
-J. Modigliani, Modigliani senza leggenda, Firenze, Vallecchi, 1958.
-P. Rusconi, Sulla redazione dell'Amedeo Modigliani di Giovanni Scheiwiller e Il suo contesto, "Studi di Memofonte", n. 20, 2018, pp. 116-139.
Part A
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts
S. Bordini, L'Ottocento 1815-1880, Le fonti della storia dell'arte/7, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (chapters II, VI, VIII, IX)
Part B
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts
H.B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art. A source book by Artists and Critics, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, University of California Press, 1968 (chapters I, II, III, IV, VII)
Part C (reserved for students who attend the exam for 9 Ects)
- Subjects treated in lectures
- Required texts:
-Modigliani, dal vero. Testimonianze inedite e rare raccolte e annotate da Enzo Maiolino, a c. di L. Lecci, Genova, De Ferrari, 2016.
SUBJECTS AND BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR STUDENTS WHO COULD NOT ATTEND THE LECTURES
Part A
- Required texts
S. Bordini, L'Ottocento 1815-1880, Le fonti della storia dell'arte/7, Roma, Carocci, 2022 (chapters II, VI, VIII, IX)
Part B
- Required texts
H.B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art. A source book by Artists and Critics, Berkeley, Los Angeles, London, University of California Press, 1968.
Part C (reserved for students who attend the exam for 9 Ects
- Required texts:
-Modigliani, dal vero. Testimonianze inedite e rare raccolte e annotate da Enzo Maiolino, a c. di L. Lecci, Genova, De Ferrari, 2016.
-J. Modigliani, Modigliani senza leggenda, Firenze, Vallecchi, 1958.
-P. Rusconi, Sulla redazione dell'Amedeo Modigliani di Giovanni Scheiwiller e Il suo contesto, "Studi di Memofonte", n. 20, 2018, pp. 116-139.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The oral examination consists of an interview on the program topics aimed at ascertaining the knowledge and critical skills acquired by the student. Any additional didactic activities and exercises will be submitted during the lessons.
L-ART/03 - HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ART - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Pozzoli Viviana, Rusconi Paolo
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
June: 16 (2 pm); 24 (3 pm)
Dipartimento di Beni culturali e ambientali, via Noto 6