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Art in Venice from Bellini to Titian - HOA00012I

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  • Department: History of Art
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Amanda Lillie
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2018-19
    • See module specification for other years: 2017-18

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching cycle
A Autumn Term 2018-19

Module aims

This intermediate module will explore the principal developments in painting and sculpture in Venice from c.1470 until c.1580 in their geographical and historical contexts. In order to understand the special characteristics of Venetian art this course will examine the extraordinary topographical, social, economic and political conditions that influenced artistic production in the city. Study of individual artists such as Giovanni Bellini, Giorgione and Titian will be linked to major themes such as the cityscape, the function of the altarpiece, contemporary attitudes to sexuality and the development of the nude, the notion of decorum and its influence on art, the role of ritual and ceremony in the city. The disegno-colore debate will be the focus for discussion of art theory in sixteenth-century Venice, which sought self-definition in contradistinction to Rome and Florence.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should have acquired:

  • A familiarity with the works of art.
  • A knowledge of the topographical, climactic, socio-economic and cultural conditions that influenced the production of art in Venice.
  • The ability to analyse the works of art in terms of contemporary theoretical, art-historical and religious debates.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark Group
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Oral Seminar		 N/A 10 A
University - closed examination
Art in Venice from Bellini to Titian		 2 hours 90 A
Essay/coursework
3,000 word Assessed Essay		 N/A 90 B
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
Seminar oral performance: presentations and discussion		 N/A 10 B

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark Group
University - closed examination
Art in Venice from Bellini to Titian		 2 hours 90 A
Essay/coursework
3,000 word Assessed Essay		 N/A 90 B

Module feedback

Feedback on formative essay within one week.

Feedback on summative exams within six weeks.

Indicative reading

Cultural and Historical Studies

  • *** Brown, Patricia Fortini, The Renaissance in Venice, Everyman Art Library, Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1997 (Paperback ,8.99)
  • Hale, John, ed., Renaissance Venice, London 1973
  • Chambers, David S., The Imperial Age of Venice 1380-1580, Thames and Hudson, London 1970
  • Finlay, Robert, Politics in Renaissance Venice, New Brunswick 1980
  • Lane, Frederic, Venice: A Maritime Republic, Baltimore and London 1973
  • Logan, Olive, Culture and Society in Venice 1470-1790, London 1972
  • Muir, Edward, Civic Ritual in Renaissance Venice, Princeton 1981
  • Pullan, Brian, Rich and Poor in Renaissance Venice, Oxford 1971

Art

  • *** Brown, Patricia Fortini, Venetian Narrative Painting in the Age of Carpaccio, Yale University Press, New Haven and London 1988
  • Goffen, Rona, Giovanni Bellini, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1986
  • Hope, Charles, Titian, London 1980
  • Hills, Paul, Venetian Colour, Yale University Press, New Haven and London 1999 [an inspiring approach and v. recent]
  • Humfrey, Peter, Painting in Renaissance Venice, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1995 ( Paperback ,12) [ NOT highly recommended but affordable]
  • Humfrey, Peter, The Altarpiece in Renaissance Venice, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1993
  • *** Huse, Norbert and Wolters, Wolfang, The Art of Renaissance Venice: Architecture, Sculpture and Painting 1460-1590, Chicago University Press, Chicago 1990
  • Martineau, Jane and Hope, Charles, eds., The Genius of Venice, 1500-1600, London 1983
  • Wilde, Johannes, Venetian Art from Bellini to Titian, Oxford 1974


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.