B5345 - Theory and philosophy of images (1) (LM)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student acquires theoretical, methodological and historical-critical awareness of the strategies and issues implied in artistic and symbolic representation. In particular, he/she is guided to 'read' images and symbols as an expression of the correlation between ideas, concepts, styles, theoretical and technical achievements in view of a representation and formalisation of reality. The intent is not only to initiate an articulate reading of artistic production by placing it in relation to the precise historical-social-cultural context within which it took shape, but also to recognise in the image and the symbol an essential element and medium of cultural and intellectual history between the Middle Ages and21th century.

Course contents

As Alice Through the Looking-Glass

Through the device of the mirror, the course aims to analyse the heuristic function absolved by a particular kind of image, which is that given back - directly and, more often, mediately - by the device of the mirror. In particular, students will be guided to recognise, in works and authors from different fields and eras, the paradox that has made the mirror the instrument of knowledge (and self-awareness) and representation (and self-representation) fulfilled by the obligation of mimesis, verisimilitude and specularity with respect to the natural datum.
In the course of the lectures, philosophical texts and artistic representations will be compared in order to identify shared cognitive models and paradigms. Among the authors considered: Nicholas of Cues, Leonardo da Vinci, Lewis Carroll, Picasso.

Readings/Bibliography

In addition to the materials (texts and images) presented in class (which will be collected in a handout), students are required to know two of the essays listed

A. Tagliapietra, La metafora dello specchio. Per una storia simbolica dell'immagine, Milano, Donzelli, 2023

G. Cuozzo, Immagini viventi. Un percorso filosofico da Cusano a Magritte, Brescia, Morcelliana, 2023

D. J. Gordon, L'immagine e la parola, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1975 (e ed. successive)

E. H. Gombrich, L'eredità di Apelle, Torino, Einaudi, 1986

M. Kemp, Immagine e verità. Per una storia dei rapporti tra arte e scienza, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1999.

Teaching methods

15 lectures
During the class, significant texts and images relating to the topic will be presented, read and commented on, and then published among the unibo teaching materials.
It is recommended to regularly consult the teacher web page on which any information and changes useful to those attending the course will be uploaded.


Attending students can agree with the lecturer before the end of the course on individualised work on specific topics.

Assessment methods

Oral examination: Students are recommended to bring the texts when examining.The interview focuses mainly on analysis and critical interpretation of the sources.
Students who have attended lectures may agree on exams (whether written or oral) devoted to specific topics.

Assessment criteria and thresholds of evaluation:

30 cum laude - Excellent as to knowledge, philosophical lexicon and critical expression.

30 – Excellent: knowledge is complete, well argued and correctly expressed, with some slight faults.

27-29 – Good: thorough and satisfactory knowledge; essentially correct expression.

24-26 - Fairly good: knowledge broadly acquired, and not always correctely expressed.

21-23 – Sufficient: superficial and partial knowledge; exposure and articulation are incomplete and often not sufficiently appropriate

18-21 - Almost sufficient: superficial and decontextualized knowledge. The exposure of the contents shows important gaps.

Exam failed - Students are requested to show up at a subsequent exam session if basic skills and knowledge are not sufficiently acquired and not placed in the historical-philosophical context.

Teaching tools

At the conclusion of each 'chapter' of the course (every 3-6 lessons) the topics and issues addressed will be summarised and outlined through short presentations accessible online.

Students who require specific services and adaptations to teaching activities due to a disability or specific learning disorders (SLD), must first contact the appropriate office: https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en/for-students .

Office hours

See the website of Annarita Angelini