Dr. Rocky Ruggiero

This course traces the art, architecture and historical events in Italy from Roman Antiquity through the early Renaissance. Through an in-depth analysis of selected works of art and architecture from throughout Italy, along with those social, economic and political factors that helped shape them, students will acquire a profound understanding of Italian culture from ancient times to their reflowering in the Renaissance. Particular emphasis will be given to those Italian cities that contributed significantly to the shaping of an Italian cultural identity, which in turn serves as a major pillar of western civilization.

Course Objectives:
· To learn to appreciate the rich and influential aspects of Italian art and architecture from antiquity through the early Renaissance.
To bring a historical period to life through a “hands on” approach to the monuments and works produced during this specific period known as the Renaissance.
· To develop the fundamental skills of art historical analysis that include formal analysis and iconographic interpretation.
· To develop an ability to interact in a personal and intimate manner with works of art and their surroundings.

PART 4 – The Dawn of the Renaissance

Lecture 7 – Duccio’s Maestà and Giotto fresco cycle in the Scrovegni Chapel
This lecture will compare and contrast the two most important painting cycles of medieval painting. We shall also examine those characteristics that defined Europe’s two most important schools of medieval painting in Siena and Florence.

Lecture 8 – The Sculptures of Orsanmichele in Florence
This lecture will examine the extraordinary collection of statues on the outside of the medieval-grain-market-turned-church of Orsanmichele in Florence. Produced by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance, such as Donatello, Ghiberti, and Verrocchio, each statue reflects the changing artistic styles of the day as well as the socio-economic importance of their guild patrons.

PART 5 – Renaissance Painting in Perspective

Lecture 9 – Masolino, Masaccio, and the Brancacci Chapel in Florence
This lecture will explore the key paintings of the revolutionary Brancacci Chapel in the church of Santa Maria del Carmine in Florence. There is no better place in the world in which to illustrate the evolution of late Gothic to Early Renaissance than this chapel. It was here that the young genius named Masaccio introduced what today we define as Renaissance painting.

Lecture 10 – Fra Angelico and the Renaissance Convent of San Marco
This lecture will examine the art, architecture, and history of the first-ever Renaissance convent. Dominican friars have lived in the Convent of San Marco for nearly 600 years, and it still remains one of Florence's greatest spiritual centers, housing one of the city's most spectacular collections of sacred art. Decorated with frescoes by painter and friar Fra Angelico and once home to the fiery preacher Girolamo Savonarola, the convent is steeped in history and culture, and offers a true taste of religious life in 15th-century Florence.

PART 6 – The Rise of the Medici

Lecture 11 – The Old Sacristy and the Basilica of San Lorenzo
This lecture will examine the rise to power and legacy of one the longest-lasting dynasties in history. No monument better reflects the Medici’s ambitious patronage than does their “unofficial” church of San Lorenzo, which was designed by the great Filippo Brunelleschi and is also the first-ever Renaissance church.

Lecture 12 – The Medici Palace and the Chapel of the Magi
This lecture will explore how the art of the Renaissance had become the visual geo-political language of the Medici - which was clearly a language of power – and how that language was applied to their home – the Medici Palace. We shall also examine the sumptuous Chapel of the Magi inside of the palace and its beautiful fresco decorations by Benozzo Gozzoli.

Buy:
- Unlimited lifetime access
- Download videos to watch offline
- Available on Apple and Android

Rent:
- Unlimited access for 30 days
- Download videos to watch offline
- Available on Apple and Android