Iconology and Iconography

Giorgione between sources and iconography

This programme expires in July 2027

Part A (20 hours and 3 credits): introduction to late 15th-century Venice and the "problem" of Giorgione's catalogue

Part B (20 hours and 3 credits): Giorgione through documents and sources

Part C (20 hours and 3 credits): Giorgione, mostly iconographic

Course presentation:
The course aims to represent, in some of its facets, the "problem" of Giorgione (alias Giorgio Barbarella da Castelfranco, c. 1474-1510), both from the point of view of the historiographical construction of his catalogue and from the point of view of the interpretation of the subjects and iconography of his paintings.
Art historians, in an attempt to focus on his artistic and cultural personality, rely on rare documents and sporadic sources, which will be examined in detail.

Knowledge of the topics covered in the monographic course must be accompanied by the study of the development of art history (architecture, sculpture, painting) from the beginning of the 15th century to the end of the 18th century, i.e. from Late Gothic to Neoclassicism (inclusive). For this purpose, any good textbook may be used (the lecturer is available to advise on this). Above all, however, visual knowledge of as many works of art as possible is required. For this reason, it is essential to visit churches and museums, starting with those in Milan, with the help of guides, among which the "red" ones published by the Italian Touring Club are recommended. It is also recommended to study - for the period in question - the images in the volumes of the series "I classici dell'arte" (The Classics of Art), published by Rizzoli, and those in the booklets published by Fabbri in the series "I maestri del colore" (The Masters of Colour) and "I maestri della scultura" (The Masters of Sculpture).

A sound knowledge of the general chronology of modern and contemporary history and of the main phenomena of Italian and European literature and culture is required.