30573 - History of Miniatures in the Middle Ages and Renaissance (1) (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

Students are expected to acquire a good knowledge of medieval and Renaissance italian illumination through the examination of a group of works of different cultural and artistic periods; students will be also asked to notice the specifity of this artistic production within the global system of the arts.

Course contents

Classes will be divided in two different sections, a more general one and a monographic one, the latter will take place in the last lessons.
(I)
a - the illuminated manuscript and its materials; technical aspects of illuminiation; the relationships between text and image; the different types ob books and the choice of the subjects of the decoration; the balance illumination / painting
b - a general survey on the main facts of history of illumination in Italy and Europe (from late antiquity to the first decades of 16th century)
(II)
"The scriptorium of Malatesta Novello in Cesena 1440-65)"

Readings/Bibliography

(I)
O. Pächt, La miniatura medievale, Torino, various editions (including in english)
J.J.G. Alexander, I miniatori medievali e i loro metodi di lavoro, Modena, various editions (the original one in english)
Other readings will be indicated during classes.
(II)
Malatesta Novello magnifico signore, catalogo della mostra, Cesena 2002
Other readings will be indicated during classes.

Teaching methods

Frontal lessons.

Assessment methods

Oral exam.

Teaching tools

Slide projections or ppt during lessons.

Office hours

See the website of Fabrizio Lollini