Social History of Art
A.Y. 2026/2027
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: 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 analyzes the art market and collecting, examining current phenomena and tracing their roots back to the late 19th century. It examines the key aspects of the global system, its key players, the most significant market opportunities, and biennials, 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 will be offered during the lectures. The course will be taught by an adjunct professor specialized in the history and analysis of contemporary collecting.
Prerequisites for admission
Good knowledge of the history of art, artists, and collections from the early 20th century to the present.
Teaching methods
Lectures will be delivered in a classroom setting, with in-depth seminars and monographic readings on periods, contexts, or individual works. Attendance is mandatory. Students taking the exam without attending classes will be required to read an additional reading list. For attending students who intend to take the 6 or 9-credit exam, visits, testimonials, and discussions with professionals and collectors will be held during the lectures.
Teaching Resources
Bibliography (attending students for 6 and 9 credits and non-attending students for 6 and 9 credits):
- Francesco Poli, Produzione artistica e mercato, Torino, Einaudi, 1975.
- La Biennale di Venezia. 61ª Esposizione internazionale d'arte, In Minor Keys, a cura di Koyo Kouoh, Venezia La Biennale di Venezia, 2026 (guida breve)
- The Art Market Report, Art Basel UBS, 2025 (scaricabile dal sito di Art Basel)
- Collezionisti e valore dell'arte in Italia, Milano, Edizioni Gallerie d'Italia / Skira, 2026
To the texts indicated above, which must be read in their entirety, one text for attending students and two texts for non-attending students worth 6 credits, two texts for attending students and three texts for non-attending students worth 9 credits must be added, to be chosen independently from:
- Sarah Thornton, Il giro del mondo dell'arte in sette giorni, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2009
- Donald Thompson, Lo squalo da 12 milioni di dollari. La bizzarra e sorprendente economia dell'arte contemporanea, Milano. Mondadori, 2017
- Massimo Melotti, Vicende dell'arte in Italia dal dopoguerra agli anni Duemila. Artisti, gallerie, mercato, collezionisti, musei, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2017, limitatamente ai capitoli 5. Gli anni Ottanta, 6. Gli anni Novanta e 7. Gli anni Duemila
- Georgina Adam, Dark Side of the Boom. Controversie, intrighi, scandali nel mercato dell'arte, Milano, Johan & Levi, 2019.
- Massimiliano Gioni, Caffè Paradiso. La Biennale di Venezia raccontata dalle sue direttrici e dai suoi direttori, Milano, Johan & levi, 2024
- Francesco Poli, Produzione artistica e mercato, Torino, Einaudi, 1975.
- La Biennale di Venezia. 61ª Esposizione internazionale d'arte, In Minor Keys, a cura di Koyo Kouoh, Venezia La Biennale di Venezia, 2026 (guida breve)
- The Art Market Report, Art Basel UBS, 2025 (scaricabile dal sito di Art Basel)
- Collezionisti e valore dell'arte in Italia, Milano, Edizioni Gallerie d'Italia / Skira, 2026
To the texts indicated above, which must be read in their entirety, one text for attending students and two texts for non-attending students worth 6 credits, two texts for attending students and three texts for non-attending students worth 9 credits must be added, to be chosen independently from:
- Sarah Thornton, Il giro del mondo dell'arte in sette giorni, Milano, Feltrinelli, 2009
- Donald Thompson, Lo squalo da 12 milioni di dollari. La bizzarra e sorprendente economia dell'arte contemporanea, Milano. Mondadori, 2017
- Massimo Melotti, Vicende dell'arte in Italia dal dopoguerra agli anni Duemila. Artisti, gallerie, mercato, collezionisti, musei, Milano, Franco Angeli, 2017, limitatamente ai capitoli 5. Gli anni Ottanta, 6. Gli anni Novanta e 7. Gli anni Duemila
- Georgina Adam, Dark Side of the Boom. Controversie, intrighi, scandali nel mercato dell'arte, Milano, Johan & Levi, 2019.
- Massimiliano Gioni, Caffè Paradiso. La Biennale di Venezia raccontata dalle sue direttrici e dai suoi direttori, Milano, Johan & levi, 2024
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. Evaluation parameters include the ability to organize knowledge discursively; the ability to reason critically about the study completed; the quality of the presentation; the proficiency in using specialized vocabulary; and the effectiveness and appropriateness of language. The grade is expressed as a grade out of 30.
ARTE-01/D - Museology and Art and Restoration Criticism - University credits: 9
Lessons: 60 hours
Professors:
Crippa Antonella, Rusconi Paolo
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
Reception:
June: 16 (2 pm); 24 (3 pm)
Dipartimento di Beni culturali e ambientali, via Noto 6