Prospectus

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Early Modern Art & Architecture: Michelangelo as Multimedial Talent

Course
2011-2012

Admission requirements

See M.A. Art History program guide and Exam regulations.

Description

In this course we will consider Michelangelo’s activities as architect, painter and poet from the perspective of multimediality. Does it help to look at his work, which has so often puzzled art historians, with the help of concepts that are used in all disciplines he worked in? Does it, for example, add to our understanding of the Sistine Chapel frescoes when we consider them in the rhetorical and poetical terms of composition or variety? Or if we compare what he says about the creative process in his poetry with the way he went about to sculp the early Battle of the Centaurs? Can we understand more of the enigmatic Biblioteca Laurenziana when we consider contemporary debates in poetry about the merits of the Tuscan vernacular versus Latin, or aboutn poetic license?
In the course we will discuss Michelangelo’s development, consider a series of key works from Michelangelo’s work with these questions in mind, and take a critical look at the existing literature.

Course objectives

  • Students should have an overview of Michelangelo’s output as an architect, painter and sculptor; to understand his stylistic and chronological development; to understand the relations between his various activities and the art-historical issues these raise;

  • Students should know the main current views on Michelangelo’s work, grasp their underlying assumptions, and be able to apply current methods to analyse his work

  • Students should be able to analyse his work

Timetable

See the timetable on the department website.

Mode of instruction

  • Lectures

  • Field trip to Teylers Museum Haarlem

Assessment method

  • written examination with several essay-questions

Blackboard

Yes, for timetables, programmes, reading lists, exam dates and further communication.

Reading list

To be announced

Registration

Students have to register for this course in uSis, the registration system of the university: http://www.usis.leidenuniv.nl. General information about registration in uSis you can find here in Dutch and in English.

Exchange and Study Abroad students, please see the Study in Leiden website for information on how to apply.

Contact Information

Prof. dr C.A. van Eck, dr E. Grasman, dr P. van Heck

Remarks

The Leiden MA specialisation in architectural history and theory enables students to acquire in-depth knowledge of at least two major periods, artists or styles, to critically evaluate secundary literature about them, and to present their arguments in papers or presentations on the site. It also trains their skills of visual analysis of designs, plans, buildings and their representations. This year, major figures and periods are the subject of the courses on Einstein and Michelangelo; visual analytical skills are developed in the Piranesi course, which takes place in the Print Room of the University Library and in Rome.

The Leiden MA specialisation in late mediaeval and early modern visual arts enables students to acquire in-depth knowledge of at least two major periods, artists or styles, to critically evaluate secundary literature about them, and to present their arguments in papers or presentations on the site. It also trains their skills of visual analysis of prints and drawings, paintings or sculpture. This year, major figures and periods are the subject of the courses on Lucas van Leyden and Michelangelo. The Michelangelo course offers an in-depth critical treatment of exisiting studies; the Lucas van Leyden course will enable students to develop their visual skills, and present their findings in a museum setting.