Social History of Art
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course analyses the contemporary art ecosystem and specifically the collecting and the market as components of the Social History of Art. Lectures focus on the events and relationships among artists, collectors, auction houses, institutions and gallerists active in the last decades. The course's program will unfold in search of the origins of the dynamics that characterize today's global art industry.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Technical knowledge of the contemporary art system, its functioning and its main players. Knowledge of the social history of art's contribution to the history of contemporary culture.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Development of an analytical approach to the functioning of the contemporary art system. Development of a critical understanding of the artistic context, based on interests and the impacts of the players on the art system. Critical analysis of how production, exchange, and transmission of artworks and collections through the generations work.
Technical knowledge of the contemporary art system, its functioning and its main players. Knowledge of the social history of art's contribution to the history of contemporary culture.
Applying knowledge and understanding:
Development of an analytical approach to the functioning of the contemporary art system. Development of a critical understanding of the artistic context, based on interests and the impacts of the players on the art system. Critical analysis of how production, exchange, and transmission of artworks and collections through the generations work.
Lesson period: First 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
First semester
Course syllabus
The course analyzes the art market and the act of collecting, examining current phenomena and tracing their roots back to the 1980s. It examines the key aspects of the global system, its key players, the most significant marketplaces, and biennial exhibitions, with a specific focus on the Italian context, particularly Milan. For students who intend to take the 6 or 9 credit exam, visits, testimonials, and discussions with professionals and collectors are planned during the course. The final five lessons of the course, dedicated to those who intend to take the 9-credit exam, feature the exercise "New Acquisitions for a Banking Collection."
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of the history of contemporary art, artists and collections, from the 1980s to todays.
Teaching methods
Lessons
Collections and galleries visits
Interviews with professionals of the art ecosystem
Group exercise (for 9 credit students attending the course)
Collections and galleries visits
Interviews with professionals of the art ecosystem
Group exercise (for 9 credit students attending the course)
Teaching Resources
Required text books (for students who intend to take the 6 or 9-credit exam, attending or non attending classes):
- La Biennale di Venezia. 60ª Esposizione internazionale d'arte, Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere, curated by Adriano Pedrosa, April 20 - November 24, La Biennale di Venezia, Venezia 2024 (handbook)
- Documenta Fifteen, Handbook, Hatje Cantz, Berlin 2022
- The Art Market Report, Art Basel UBS, 2024 (to download fro Art Basel website)
- Collezionisti e valore dell'arte in Italia, Edizioni Gallerie d'Italia / Skira, Milano 2024 (English edition available)
- Slides (on Ariel)
Moreover, please choose the additional texts - 1 for attending and 2 for non-attending the course classes 6 credits students, 2 for attending and 3 for non-attending the course classes 9 credits students - in the following list:
- Sarah Thornton, Seven Days in the Art Word, W. W. Norton, New York 2008
- Donald Thompson, The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art, Palgrave McMillan 2008
- Georgina Adam, Dark Side of the Boom, The Excesses of The Art Market in the 21st Century, Lund Humphries, London 2018
- Massimo Melotti, Vicende dell'arte in Italia dal dopoguerra agli anni Duemila. Artisti, gallerie, mercato, collezionisti, musei, Franco Angeli, Milano 2017, chapters 5 and 6, limitedly.
- Massimiliano Gioni, Caffè Paradiso. La Biennale di Venezia raccontata dalle sue direttrici e dai suoi direttori, Johan & levi, Milano 2024
- La Biennale di Venezia. 60ª Esposizione internazionale d'arte, Stranieri Ovunque - Foreigners Everywhere, curated by Adriano Pedrosa, April 20 - November 24, La Biennale di Venezia, Venezia 2024 (handbook)
- Documenta Fifteen, Handbook, Hatje Cantz, Berlin 2022
- The Art Market Report, Art Basel UBS, 2024 (to download fro Art Basel website)
- Collezionisti e valore dell'arte in Italia, Edizioni Gallerie d'Italia / Skira, Milano 2024 (English edition available)
- Slides (on Ariel)
Moreover, please choose the additional texts - 1 for attending and 2 for non-attending the course classes 6 credits students, 2 for attending and 3 for non-attending the course classes 9 credits students - in the following list:
- Sarah Thornton, Seven Days in the Art Word, W. W. Norton, New York 2008
- Donald Thompson, The $12 Million Stuffed Shark: The Curious Economics of Contemporary Art, Palgrave McMillan 2008
- Georgina Adam, Dark Side of the Boom, The Excesses of The Art Market in the 21st Century, Lund Humphries, London 2018
- Massimo Melotti, Vicende dell'arte in Italia dal dopoguerra agli anni Duemila. Artisti, gallerie, mercato, collezionisti, musei, Franco Angeli, Milano 2017, chapters 5 and 6, limitedly.
- Massimiliano Gioni, Caffè Paradiso. La Biennale di Venezia raccontata dalle sue direttrici e dai suoi direttori, Johan & levi, Milano 2024
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment of the students' active participation to the lessons with personal contributions; assessment of the group exercise (case study); assessment of the knowledges gained during the course.
Modules or teaching units
Part C
L-ART/04 - MUSEOLOGY, ART AND RESTORATION CRITICISM - University credits: 3
Lessons: 20 hours
Parts A and B
L-ART/04 - MUSEOLOGY, ART AND RESTORATION CRITICISM - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Educational website(s)
Professor(s)
Reception:
Tuesday, Thursday, 7 pm - 7.30 pm (September - November 2024, after by appointment via mail)
Università di Milano, Dipartimento di Storia dell'Arte, via Noto 8, Milano