San José State University. Department of Art & Art History. ARTH 187A, Fifteenth Century Italian Art, Section 1, Fall, 2016

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1 San José State University ARTH 187A, Fifteenth Century Italian Art, Section 1, Fall, 2016 Instructor: Dr. Christy Junkerman, Lecturer Office Location: Art 117 Telephone: (408) Office Hours: or T: 2-3, W 12:00-1:00 or by appointment Class Days/Time: MW 10:30-11:45 Classroom: Art 135 Department Office: Art 116 Department Contact: Website: art@sjsu.edu Course Description This upper-division course will study the ground breaking visual art of the early Renaissance in Italy, and especially in the city of Florence, during the fifteenth century. We will look closely at the art of Ghiberti, Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Donatello, Fra Angelico, Botticelli and many others from this richly productive environment. Throughout the course, we will take a synthetic approach to the study and interpretation of works of art, learning to look very carefully and considering not only issues of style and iconography, but also the social, cultural and intellectual context within which the works were produced. Much of the art of this period is religious, but we will also take a close look at the development of the new secular art. Primary sources will be emphasized as much as possible. Artists of this period worked almost entirely for commissions and thus all the information that can be gathered about the conditions of the commission, including the intended function of the work of art, the original setting, the patron, and the intended audience will be valuable to increase our understanding. We will also work on developing a critical vocabulary for talking and writing about art. Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: FALL 2016 Page 1 of 5

2 (LO 1) Recognize major works of art from this foundational period in western art and demonstrate a strong knowledge base about the social context of Italian art and art patronage. (LO 2) Demonstrate an understanding of the implications of new techniques such as linear perspective and spatial projection. (LO 3) Apply primary sources to the understanding of Renaissance art theory and the interpretation of Renaissance art. (LO 4) Use a more sophisticated vocabulary for writing and talking about art. (LO 5) Produce a visual analysis of a work of Renaissance art. (LO 6) Write more clearly and effectively. As in any university course, Art History 187A does not give you these competencies but creates an opportunity for you to work toward achieving them. The university is not a business and you are not simply buying content. You must work hard to learn and develop your skills. If you have trouble, let me know if I can do anything to help. Required Texts/Readings Textbooks Frederick Hartt and David Wilkins, The History of Italian Renaissance Art, Pearson Prentice Hall, Seventh Edition, Creighton Gilbert, Italian Art, : Sources and Documents, Northwestern University Press, Most of the art of this period was painted in the context of the Catholic Church and thus a general familiarity with important Christian stories is essential. We will work together on this, but I would like each of you to read at least the Gospel of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible (Revised Standard Version recommended). Copies are easily available in any library, but I will also put a copy or a link on the Course Website which is available at arth.sjsu.edu/courses. The user name is arth and I will give you the password on the first day of class. Slide lists and images will also be posted on this website which you will need to use often. Library Liaison Monika Lehman (monika.lehman@sjsu.edu), Tel: (408) Website: Assignments and Grading Policy Written work for the course will include two in-class quizzes, a mid-term and a final examination (LO 1, 2, 3, 4, 6). If it seems necessary, I will replace one of the quizzes with a series of impromptu and unannounced in-class exercises. Two formal papers will be assigned; one will be a visual analysis (LO 4, 5, 6) and the other will be an application of the ideas in Alberti s Treatise on Painting (LO 3, 4, 5). FALL 2016 Page 2 of 5

3 There is no extra credit. Grades will be determined as follows: Quizzes--10% Mid-term--20% Papers--45% Final exam--25% Grading Information Rubrics will be given for each written assignment. There are no extra credit options. It is not easy to pass a course if you miss an assignment. Classroom Protocol The citizens of the state of California subsidize your education at a level that is much higher than you probably realize. You owe it not only to yourself, but also to them to attend every class and make the most of it. I shouldn t have to put in writing that you are expected to be on time with your cell phone turned off and put away. That is simply mature behavior expected of any college student. Laptops present a new set of issues in the classroom. I would advise you not to use yours in class--they can be distracting to you. If you must use a laptop, please be aware that your bright, shiny screen, especially when it moves, is a big distraction and visual annoyance to other students. If you are using your laptop to do anything but take notes, you are distracting others unfairly and are cheating yourself in fact, some studies suggest that handwritten notes are more effective that typed. If I see you smiling, absorbed in your screen, I may ask you to share the humor with the class. University Policies Per University Policy S16-9, university-wide policy information relevant to all courses, such as academic integrity, accommodations, etc. will be available on Office of Graduate and Undergraduate Programs Syllabus Information web page at History of Art 187A / Fifteenth Century Italian Art, Fall, 2016 Course Schedule This is an ideal schedule; it is easy to get behind, especially when we take time for discussion. The topics are thus subject to change, but I will make every effort to adhere to exam and quiz times. You will be notified in class and by if there are necessary changes to the due dates. Week Date Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines 1 August 24 Introduction: The City of Florence 2 August 29- Painting in Late Medieval Italy FALL 2016 Page 3 of 5

4 3 Sept. 5 Sept Begin reading Hartt and Wilkins: 17-38, Labor Day Holiday no class Painting in Late Medieval Italy Hartt and Wilkins: 73-91, Sept The Baptistery Competition and Ghiberti's First Doors Hartt and Wilkins: Sept Sculpture for the City: Or San Michele Hartt and Wilkins, Gilbert: "The City Council of Florence Legislates Sculpture," Sept The Architecture of Brunelleschi Hartt and Wilkins, First Quiz: Wednesday, September 28 7 Oct. 3-5 Gentile da Fabriano and the Strozzi Altarpiece Hartt and Wilkins, Week Date Topics, Readings, Assignments, Deadlines 8 October 10 October 12 The New Painting: The Discovery of Linear Perspective Hartt and Wilkins, reread Gilbert: "Alberti on Painting, 1435," [Read before class and bring book and paper, pencil and a ruler to class when we get to this point] The New Painting: The Brancacci Chapel Hartt and Wilkins, October October First Paper Due in Class: October 17 Relief Sculpture: Ghiberti s Second Doors Hartt and Wilkins, Gilbert: "Ghiberti at Work," 3, Ghiberti's 2nd Commentary", 75-80, "Leonardo Bruni's Rejected Program," , "A Humanist Asserts That the Moderns Can Equal the Ancients," Relief Sculpture: Donatello and Luca della Robbia Hartt and Wilkins: , Gilbert: "Donatello's Bookkeeping," 25-6, "A Work by Donatello is Rejected," October 31 Mid-term Exam, Monday October 31 FALL 2016 Page 4 of 5

5 November 2 Florentine Painting at Mid-Century: Exploring Space Begin reading Hartt and Wilkins: , Gilbert: "Cardinal Dominici on Paintings and Painters," , "San Bernardino Preaches about Sienese Paintings," ; San Antonino on the Ethics of Painting," , "Chronicle of the New Dominican Convent of San Marco," Nov. 7-9 Mid-Century Altarpieces Fra Angelico at San Marco (Continue the reading from Week 10) 13 Nov Alberti Hartt and Wilkins: Art and the Family: Urban Palaces Hartt and Wilkins: Nov. 21 November 21: Second Quiz Art and the Family: The Arts in the Palace Gilbert: Jacobello del Fiore's Property is Auctioned," 28; "Cosimo Tura as a Pattern Maker," 32-3; Benedetto da Maiano's Worldly Goods and Chattels," 42-47; "Giovanni Rucellai's Taste," ; "Symbolic Images Planned by a Patron for a Belt and Its Buckle," 112-4; Donatello Gives His Doctor a Madonna," ; Alessandra Strozzi has Pictures in the House," ; "From the Medici Inventory," 137-8; Poggio Bracciolini Collects Ancient Sculpture," November 23: No class (Non-Instructional Day) 15 Nov The Arts in the Palace: Narratives and Mythologies Hartt and Wilkins: Dec. 5-7 Art and the Family: Family Chapels Hartt and Wilkins: Piero della Francesca Hartt and Wilkins: Second Paper Due in Class, Wednesday, December 7 17 Dec. 12 Last Class: Portraiture Final Exam Wednesday, December 14, 9:45-12:00 FALL 2016 Page 5 of 5