Classical Ceramography, Production and Iconography
A.Y. 2026/2027
Learning objectives
The course aims to refine students' critical ability and stylistic sensitivity in reading Greek ceramics, which represent the main dating tool for archaeological contexts and for decoding cultural meanings.
Expected learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course students are expected to be able to orient themselves on the main productions and styles of figured Greek pottery, with particular reference to those ceramic classes not addressed in the basic course of Archeology and History of Greek Art, therefore Corinthian, Laconian, East Greek, Cycladic pottery etc.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Students are also expected to have acquired a good level of understanding and decoding iconography and to be introduced into the most crucial criteria for identifying painters and workshops.
Applying knowledge and understanding: Students are also expected to have acquired a good level of understanding and decoding iconography and to be introduced into the most crucial criteria for identifying painters and workshops.
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
The course Classical Pottery, through annually changing thematic modules, aims to provide students with advanced and specialized knowledge of the various traditions of Greek figured pottery, including Attic, Corinthian, Laconian, East Greek, Cycladic, and related productions. Particular emphasis is placed on situating these ceramic traditions within the cultural contexts of their production and consumption, as well as on the analysis and interpretation of their figured decoration from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives.
In the academic year 2026-2027, Part A will, as customary, focus on the technological and productive aspects of ceramic manufacture, including vase production techniques, firing processes, kilns, workshop organization, and the social context of the artisan.
Part B will explore the art of monumental painting in the Greek world, from its Aegean Bronze Age antecedents (Minoan and Mycenaean wall painting) to the outstanding, predominantly funerary, painted monuments of the early Hellenistic period. Particular attention will be devoted to the complex and fundamental relationship between "major" and "minor" painting, that is, the fruitful interaction between wall and panel painting on the one hand and vase painting on the other.
A short module of coordinated and integrated teaching, shared with other archaeological disciplines within the Master's Degree Programme, will be devoted to transdisciplinary perspectives on the theme "Materiality and Visibility of Rituals in the Ancient World."
In the academic year 2026-2027, Part A will, as customary, focus on the technological and productive aspects of ceramic manufacture, including vase production techniques, firing processes, kilns, workshop organization, and the social context of the artisan.
Part B will explore the art of monumental painting in the Greek world, from its Aegean Bronze Age antecedents (Minoan and Mycenaean wall painting) to the outstanding, predominantly funerary, painted monuments of the early Hellenistic period. Particular attention will be devoted to the complex and fundamental relationship between "major" and "minor" painting, that is, the fruitful interaction between wall and panel painting on the one hand and vase painting on the other.
A short module of coordinated and integrated teaching, shared with other archaeological disciplines within the Master's Degree Programme, will be devoted to transdisciplinary perspectives on the theme "Materiality and Visibility of Rituals in the Ancient World."
Prerequisites for admission
For more effective and fruitful results, a general competence on the development of Greek art, Greek history and / or on Greek literature is strongly recommended.
Teaching methods
The lessons are frontal and take place in the classroom. There are some in-depth seminars by external teachers and lessons of integrated and coordinated teaching with other teachings of the Master's Degree in Archaeology, mostly related to Greek culture, in view of an effectively interdisciplinary approach to the subject.
Teaching Resources
Attending Students
Part A
G. Bejor, M. Castoldi, C. Lambrugo, and E. Panero, Botteghe e artigiani. Marmorari, bronzisti, ceramisti e vetrai nell'antichità classica, Milan: Mondadori Università, 2012 (and subsequent reprints), Chapter 3, pp. 65-129.
Part B
Dimitris Plantzos, The Art of Painting in Ancient Greece, Athens 2018 (I edizione), 2020 (II edizione), KAPON editions. Soon available in the SA.FM Library (Via Festa del Perdono 7).
Non-attending Students
Non-attending students are required to prepare the syllabus listed above, supplemented by the following reading:
M. Torelli, Le strategie di Kleitias. Composizione e programma figurativo del vaso François, Milan: Electa, 2007.
The lecture slides will be made available on the course's MyAriel website.
Part A
G. Bejor, M. Castoldi, C. Lambrugo, and E. Panero, Botteghe e artigiani. Marmorari, bronzisti, ceramisti e vetrai nell'antichità classica, Milan: Mondadori Università, 2012 (and subsequent reprints), Chapter 3, pp. 65-129.
Part B
Dimitris Plantzos, The Art of Painting in Ancient Greece, Athens 2018 (I edizione), 2020 (II edizione), KAPON editions. Soon available in the SA.FM Library (Via Festa del Perdono 7).
Non-attending Students
Non-attending students are required to prepare the syllabus listed above, supplemented by the following reading:
M. Torelli, Le strategie di Kleitias. Composizione e programma figurativo del vaso François, Milan: Electa, 2007.
The lecture slides will be made available on the course's MyAriel website.
Assessment methods and Criteria
Assessment consists of a 20-30-minute oral examination based on the topics covered during the course. The examination assesses students' knowledge, as well as their ability to analyse and contextualize the material from technical, stylistic, and chronological perspectives, with reference to the course content and the prescribed examination syllabus. Final grades are awarded on a 30-point scale (30/30), where 30/30 cum laude is the highest possible mark.
ARCH-01/D - Classical Archaeology - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Lambrugo Claudia
Professor(s)