History and Criticism of Art
History and Criticism of Art
Course sheet
A.Y. 2025/2026
Master programme
LM-89 R - Storia dell'arte
Il corso di laurea magistrale in Storia e critica dell'arte si pone l'obiettivo di far acquisire specifiche conoscenze e competenze storico-critiche nel settore delle arti visive (architettura, scultura, pittura, grafica, fotografia, arti applicate, nuove tecnologie di produzione e riproduzione dell'immagine), sostenute tanto da una solida formazione culturale di base, d'impronta storica e filologico-letteraria, quanto dalle opportune competenze scientifiche, tecniche e di metodo applicabili negli ambiti professionali dello studio, della conservazione e della valorizzazione dei beni artistici. In tale prospettiva, il CdS mira ad approfondire in senso storico, filologico, stilistico, iconografico e metodologico le conoscenze storico-artistiche acquisite nel corso di laurea triennale, aprendosi altresì all?approfondimento di temi e problemi relativi a tutela, conservazione, valorizzazione, gestione dei beni storico-artistici, nonché dei metodi scientifici per il loro studio.
Il corso di laurea è ad accesso libero ma con valutazione dei pre-requisiti, relativi all'acquisizione di un'idonea preparazione storico-artistica nel corso della Laurea triennale.
Gli insegnamenti caratterizzanti comprendono le principali discipline storico-artistiche, un insegnamento di Archeologia o di Storia dell'architettura, un insegnamento storico o letterario e un insegnamento metodologico.
Le attività formative sono organizzate su base semestrale e prevedono lezioni frontali nonché laboratori, seminari e stage presso musei ed enti attivi nel campo della tutela, dello studio e della valorizzazione del patrimonio artistico.
Ampio spazio è riservato al lavoro di ricerca in vista dell'elaborazione della tesi di laurea.
Il corso di laurea è ad accesso libero ma con valutazione dei pre-requisiti, relativi all'acquisizione di un'idonea preparazione storico-artistica nel corso della Laurea triennale.
Gli insegnamenti caratterizzanti comprendono le principali discipline storico-artistiche, un insegnamento di Archeologia o di Storia dell'architettura, un insegnamento storico o letterario e un insegnamento metodologico.
Le attività formative sono organizzate su base semestrale e prevedono lezioni frontali nonché laboratori, seminari e stage presso musei ed enti attivi nel campo della tutela, dello studio e della valorizzazione del patrimonio artistico.
Ampio spazio è riservato al lavoro di ricerca in vista dell'elaborazione della tesi di laurea.
La preparazione acquisita nel corso di laurea permette alle laureate e ai laureati di proseguire gli studi, nella Scuola di specializzazione in Beni storico-artistici o nel Dottorato di ricerca, oppure di operare, anche con funzioni di responsabilità, presso enti e istituzioni, pubblici e privati, attivi nei campi della tutela, dello studio, della conservazione e dell'educazione alla conoscenza del patrimonio storico-artistico.
Per poter accedere alla II Fascia della figura professionale di Storico dell'arte, secondo quanto previsto dal Decreto Ministeriale 244, del 20 maggio 2019, che regolamenta l'accesso alle professioni dei Beni culturali, è necessario che le studentesse e gli studenti articolino il proprio piano di studio scegliendo esclusivamente esami dei ssd L- ART/01, L-ART/02, L-ART/03 e L-ART/04 nel gruppo di esami a scelta da 18 cfu e come esame (9 cfu) a libera scelta dello/a studente/essa.
Orchestrando gli esami opportunamente il corso di laurea permette di accedere ai livelli previsti dal DM citato senza particolari modifiche (96 crediti).
Profilo professionale e sbocchi occupazionali e professionali previsti per i laureati:
- Operatore/Operatrice o collaboratore/collaboratrice museale.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nella conservazione, catalogazione, gestione e valorizzazione del patrimonio storico artistico.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, museologiche, tecnico-conservative; competenze gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: musei e raccolte artistiche pubbliche e private
- Collaboratore/Collaboratrice di enti culturali pubblici e privati.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nello studio e nella valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale; organizzazione e gestione di esposizioni artistiche e culturali.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, espositive e gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: fondazioni e associazioni culturali, gallerie d'arte, centri di documentazione, archivi, biblioteche specialistiche.
- Collaboratore/Collaboratrice o consulente specialistico.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nella realizzazione progettazione di eventi culturali e di prodotti editoriali specialistici; ovvero di progetti e percorsi didattici, con particolare riferimento alla conoscenza e alla valorizzazione del patrimonio storico-artistico.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, critiche, metodologiche e gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: per aziende e operatori nell'ambito dell'industria culturale ed editoriale ovvero nel settore dell'educazione e della didattica.
Il corso prepara alla professione di 1. Storici/storiche dell'arte 2. Esperti/e d'arte 3. Curatori/Curatrici e conservatori/conservatrici di musei.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
Per poter accedere alla II Fascia della figura professionale di Storico dell'arte, secondo quanto previsto dal Decreto Ministeriale 244, del 20 maggio 2019, che regolamenta l'accesso alle professioni dei Beni culturali, è necessario che le studentesse e gli studenti articolino il proprio piano di studio scegliendo esclusivamente esami dei ssd L- ART/01, L-ART/02, L-ART/03 e L-ART/04 nel gruppo di esami a scelta da 18 cfu e come esame (9 cfu) a libera scelta dello/a studente/essa.
Orchestrando gli esami opportunamente il corso di laurea permette di accedere ai livelli previsti dal DM citato senza particolari modifiche (96 crediti).
Profilo professionale e sbocchi occupazionali e professionali previsti per i laureati:
- Operatore/Operatrice o collaboratore/collaboratrice museale.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nella conservazione, catalogazione, gestione e valorizzazione del patrimonio storico artistico.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, museologiche, tecnico-conservative; competenze gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: musei e raccolte artistiche pubbliche e private
- Collaboratore/Collaboratrice di enti culturali pubblici e privati.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nello studio e nella valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale; organizzazione e gestione di esposizioni artistiche e culturali.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, espositive e gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: fondazioni e associazioni culturali, gallerie d'arte, centri di documentazione, archivi, biblioteche specialistiche.
- Collaboratore/Collaboratrice o consulente specialistico.
Funzione in un contesto di lavoro: funzioni di elevata responsabilità nella realizzazione progettazione di eventi culturali e di prodotti editoriali specialistici; ovvero di progetti e percorsi didattici, con particolare riferimento alla conoscenza e alla valorizzazione del patrimonio storico-artistico.
Competenze associate alla funzione: elevate competenze storico-artistiche, critiche, metodologiche e gestionali.
Sbocchi occupazionali: per aziende e operatori nell'ambito dell'industria culturale ed editoriale ovvero nel settore dell'educazione e della didattica.
Il corso prepara alla professione di 1. Storici/storiche dell'arte 2. Esperti/e d'arte 3. Curatori/Curatrici e conservatori/conservatrici di musei.
Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The degree programme provides its students with specific Erasmus+ opportunities at European universities in France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, plus a university in the Czech Republic where courses are taught in English. Available locations: Université de Paris Sorbonne - Paris IV - UFR Histoire de l'Art; Eberhard-Karls-Universität Tübingen - Kunsthistorisches Institut; Johann Wolfgang - Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main; Philipps-Universität Marburg; Technische Universität Dresden; Universität Karlsruhe; Univerzita Palackeho v Olomouci; Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. For each location, Erasmus outgoing students have options ranging from 3 to 10 months, during which they can follow courses and take exams that will be recognized as an integral part of the degree programme. They can also combine this activity with research for the preparation of their Master's thesis, which will count towards the number of credits covered by the Erasmus scholarship. Every year, all teaching activities included in the programme are presented to interested students by the Erasmus manager in a specific informative meeting. The data and educational information required for submitting the Learning Agreement are also collected in special information sheets posted to the Erasmus page of the Faculty of Humanities https://www.unimi.it/en/node/12884/
If you are and incoming Erasmus student, you can attend all classes in Italian. If you wish, you can agree with individual instructors on a programme partly or entirely in English. Moreover, teaching staff exchange agreements are in place with many partner universities, including visiting professor programmes for our faculty members abroad and for foreign colleagues at our institution, within the programmes of the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
If you are and incoming Erasmus student, you can attend all classes in Italian. If you wish, you can agree with individual instructors on a programme partly or entirely in English. Moreover, teaching staff exchange agreements are in place with many partner universities, including visiting professor programmes for our faculty members abroad and for foreign colleagues at our institution, within the programmes of the Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage.
La frequenza è vivamente consigliata per gli insegnamenti. La frequenza è obbligatoria per i laboratori, le attività seminariali, gli stage, i tirocini, i corsi di accertamento linguistico.
Enrolment
Entry requirements:
Proficiency in ENGLISH at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicants during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the Entry test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the Entry test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
ITALIAN proficiency at a B1 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)is a requisite for admission.
This level is assessed by the University Language Centre (SLAM) during the admissions process in any of the following ways:
- An Italian language certificate attesting to a B1 level or higher issued no more than three years before the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349. The certificate must be uploaded during the application process;
- Italian level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349. Those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the entry test.
If the applicant does not take or does not pass the entry test, he or she must obtain, by private means, Italian language certification recognized by the University (list of recognized certifications at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349 and submit it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service no later than the deadline set by the degree course (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/46371). If the Italian language requisite has not been satisfied by said deadline, the applicant will not be admitted to the Master's programme and will not be able to sit for any further tests.
Proficiency in ENGLISH at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicants during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the Entry test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the Entry test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.
ITALIAN proficiency at a B1 level or higher per the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)is a requisite for admission.
This level is assessed by the University Language Centre (SLAM) during the admissions process in any of the following ways:
- An Italian language certificate attesting to a B1 level or higher issued no more than three years before the date of submission. You will find the list of language certificates recognized by the University at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349. The certificate must be uploaded during the application process;
- Italian level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349. Those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the entry test.
If the applicant does not take or does not pass the entry test, he or she must obtain, by private means, Italian language certification recognized by the University (list of recognized certifications at: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/349 and submit it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service no later than the deadline set by the degree course (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/46371). If the Italian language requisite has not been satisfied by said deadline, the applicant will not be admitted to the Master's programme and will not be able to sit for any further tests.
Admission
Application for admission: from 22/01/2025 to 25/08/2025
Application for matriculation: from 02/04/2025 to 15/01/2026
Admissions A.Y. 2026/2027
Admission applications for Academic Year 2026/2027 are now open. Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2026.
Online services
Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
Optional programme year
Compulsory activity
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | English | Open sessions | NN |
a - 9 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History of Byzantine Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/01 |
| History of Medieval Art Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/01 |
b - 9 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| History of Modern Art Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/02 |
| Iconology and Iconography | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/02 |
c - 9 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artistic Production and Industrial Society | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/03 |
| Sources, Models and Languages of Contemporary Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/03 |
d - 9 CFU in one of the following subjects (other than those already chosen from one of the previous groups)
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artistic Production and Industrial Society | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/03 |
| History of Byzantine Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/01 |
| Museology and History of Collecting | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/04 |
| Sources, Models and Languages of Contemporary Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/03 |
| History of Artistic Literature Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/04 |
| History of Medieval Art Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/01 |
| History of Modern Art Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/02 |
| Iconology and Iconography | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/02 |
e - 6 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archaeology of the Roman Provinces | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/07 |
| History of Architecture | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | ICAR/18 |
| Late Antique Archaeology | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/08 |
| Roman Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-ANT/07 |
| Greek Archaeology Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-ANT/07 |
f - 9 CFU in one of the following subjects (other than those already chosen from one of the previous groups)
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Museology and History of Collecting | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/04 |
| History of Artistic Literature Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/04 |
g - 6 CFU in one of the following subjects
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Civilization and Culture in the Middle Ages | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | M-STO/01 |
| Historical Methodology: Interpreting Medieval Sources | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | M-STO/01 |
| History of Contemporary Culture | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | M-STO/04 |
| Italian Philology Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/13 |
| Latin Language Ma | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/04 |
| Latin Literature Ma | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/04 |
| Literary Communication in Twentieth-Century Italy | 6 | 40 | Italian | First semester | L-FIL-LET/11 |
| Contemporary History | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | M-STO/04 |
| Greek Literature | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/02 |
| History of the Renaissance | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | M-STO/02 |
| Humanistic Philology | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/08 |
| Italian Contemporary Literature | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/11 |
| Italian Medieval History | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | M-STO/01 |
| Medieval History | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | M-STO/01 |
| Medieval Latin Literature | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/08 |
| Medieval Latin Philology | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/08 |
| Medieval, Humanistic and Renaissance Italian Literature | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/10 |
| Modern History | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | M-STO/02 |
| Modern Italian Literature | 6 | 40 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/10 |
| Romance Philology | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-FIL-LET/09 |
h - 18 CFU (9+9) in one of the following subjects (other than those already chosen a from a previous group)
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Artistic Production and Industrial Society | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/03 |
| History of Architecture | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | ICAR/18 |
| Museology and History of Collecting | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/04 |
| Social History of Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | First semester | L-ART/04 |
| Photography and New Media in Contemporary Art | 9 | 60 | Italian | Second semester | L-ART/03 |
i - Moreover, the student may allocate:
- 9 CFU to other electives chosen from the courses offered by the University of Milan, or to two-year courses, to be agreed with the instructors of any courses taken during the Bachelor's programme
- 3 CFU to a workshop run through the Master's degree programme or to an internship in the field of the history of art or Italian language assessment
By the end of the first academic year, the student must agree on the topic of their Master's degree thesis, and discuss electives, with the instructor of a core discipline of the programme. After earning the required 90 credits, in compliance with these rules, the student may sit the final exam and obtain their Master's degree.
- 9 CFU to other electives chosen from the courses offered by the University of Milan, or to two-year courses, to be agreed with the instructors of any courses taken during the Bachelor's programme
- 3 CFU to a workshop run through the Master's degree programme or to an internship in the field of the history of art or Italian language assessment
By the end of the first academic year, the student must agree on the topic of their Master's degree thesis, and discuss electives, with the instructor of a core discipline of the programme. After earning the required 90 credits, in compliance with these rules, the student may sit the final exam and obtain their Master's degree.
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) | 3 | 0 | Italian | Open sessions | NN |
Final activities
| Courses or activities | Max ECTS | Total hours | Language | Lesson period | SSD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Exam | 30 | 0 | Italian | NN |
Learn more
Location
Milan
Head of study programme
Academic guidance tutor
Erasmus and international mobility tutor
Study plan tutor
Internship tutor
Quality Assurance Delegate
Reference structures
Contacts
- Department of Cultural and Environmental Heritage
Via Noto 6 e 8 - 20141 Milano (MI) e Via Festa del Perdono 7 - 20122 Milano, Italia - Student registrar
Via S. Sofia 9/1 - 20122 Milano (MI)
https://www.unimi.it/it/studiare/servizi-gli-studenti/segreterie-informastudenti - Contact person for disabilities and Special Educational Needs
prof. Marco Boffi
[email protected] - Didactic Secretariat
Via Noto 6 - 20141 Milano
https://www.bac.unimi.it/ecm/home
[email protected] - Erasmus and international mobility student tutor
[email protected] - Study plan student tutor
[email protected] - Internship student tutor
[email protected]
The tuition fees for students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes are divided into two instalments with different calculation methods and payment schedules:
- The amount of the first instalment is the same for all students
- The amount of the second instalment varies according to the ISEE University value, the degree programme and the student status (on track / off track for one year or off track for more than a year)
- An additional fee is due for online programmes
The University also offers:
- Concessions for students meeting high merit requirements
- Diversified tuition fees according to the student's home country for international students with assets/income abroad
- Concessions for international students with refugee status
Scholarships and benefits
The University provides a range of financial benefits to students meeting special requirements (merit, financial or personal conditions, international students).
Learn more
Guidance:
Admission, ranking and enrolment
Official documents