Dr. Rocky Ruggiero

This course will examine the unique artistic and historical identities of ten Italian cities that helped shape the course of Western civilization from Antiquity through the early modern period. Each of these cities enjoyed periods of political, economic, and cultural prominence and left an indelible thumbprint upon history. Much of the extraordinary artistic and architectural production that accompanied each city’s “golden age” still survives today and serves as testimony to their former greatness.

Course Objectives:
- To bring historical cities to life through a “hands on” approach to the works of art that best define their uniqueness.
- To understand the role that the historical context of each city’s formative period had on its development.
- To learn to appreciate the rich and influential aspects of Italian art from ancient through Baroque.
- 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 architecture and their surroundings.

Lecture 1 – Roma: Caput Mundi
The ancient Romans referred to their city as the “caput mundi”, or the “capital of the world”. Stretching as far west as the Atlantic Ocean, as far south as the Sahara, north to modern-day Scotland, and east to the Euphrates River, the Roman Empire encompassed nearly half of the known world. The ancient monuments of Rome still stand as testimony to the former power of the city. We shall examine these monuments firsthand and stand in the shadow of one of the most extraordinary ensembles of monumental architecture in history.

Lecture 2 – Ravenna: The Sparkling Byzantine City
This lecture will explore the fascinating history of Ravenna, Italy. A history that is shaped the city’s most recognizable artistic marvels - its glorious mosaics. No medium better embodies the glory and mystery of the Byzantine Empire than does this painstaking technique of inserting tiny-colored-glass tiles—or tesserae—into wet plaster to produce figurative and decorative imagery. In fact, the basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna houses the world’s most famous mosaic depicting the Empress Theodora.

Lecture 3 – Assisi: Medieval Mysticism
This exquisite medieval Umbrian hill town was the birthplace of St. Francis. To honor St. Francis, a basilica was built in his honor to serve as his burial place and the greatest artists of Europe converged upon Assisi to decorate it. This lecture will examine the beautiful art and architecture of this splendid church, which was created by artists such as Simone Martini, Cimabue and Pietro Lorenzetti.

Lecture 4 – Siena: City of the Virgin Mary
In the first half of the 14th century, the city of Siena was Florence’s main political, economic, and artistic rival. Artists such as Duccio, Simone Martini, and Ambrogio Lorenzetti were members of one of Europe’s most important schools of painting. This lecture will examine the art, architecture, and history of Siena to understand the city’s unique beauty as well as its rivalry with Florence. We shall discuss the striking Gothic cathedral of Siena and examine the various artistic works which adorned it. We shall also examine the Palazzo Pubblico, which has served as the political nerve center of the city for seven centuries, as well as the Piazza del Campo, which has been described as the most beautiful piazza in Italy.

Lecture 5 – Florence: The Rise of the City State
The political transformation of Florence from an oligarchy into a self-governing republic at the end of the 13th century was accompanied by an extraordinary urban renewal program within the city. This lecture will examine those monuments that were part of this sweeping building campaign such as Florence cathedral, Palazzo Vecchio, Ponte Vecchio and the churches of Santa Croce, Santa Maria Novella and Orsanmichle.

Lecture 6 – Urbino: The Renaissance Court
Duke Federico da Montefeltro transformed the town of Urbino in the Marches into an ideal Renaissance court. Not only did he commission works by artists of the caliber of Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Francesco di Giorgio and Leon Battista Alberti, the duke also assembled one of Europe’s top classical libraries. No wonder that Baldassare Castiglione would later choose Urbino as the setting of his book on the ideal courtier. This lecture will explore the extraordinary art and architecture of this idyllic ducal town that was produced under the patronage of the celebrated condottiere.

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