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Connoisseurship: The Theory & Practice of Attribution - HOA00059H

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  • Department: History of Art
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Luke Uglow
  • Credit value: 40 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This course provides instruction in the theory and practice of connoisseurship, in the close study of style and technique with the aim of identifying authorship. Focused on paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, the discussion will concentrate on the key issues of attribution and dating.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2021-22 to Summer Term 2021-22

Module aims

This course provides instruction in the theory and practice of connoisseurship, in the close study of style and technique with the aim of identifying authorship. Focused on paintings from the 16th to the 19th century, the discussion will concentrate on the key issues of attribution and dating. By foregrounding the physical object themselves this course will evaluate the oeuvre artists such as Leonardo, Rembrandt, Canaletto and Van Gogh, and explores the academic and commercial function of connoisseurship. It will also review the history of connoisseurs and connoisseurship, investigating key figures such Jonathan Richardson and Giovanni Morelli, and debating important methodological problems such as judging quality and pecuniary value, science versus sensibility, or the impact of technology on our knowledge and understanding of paintings and their authors.

Module learning outcomes

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

  • The ability to attribute and date paintings from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century
  • Detailed knowledge of style, technique, quality and condition of paintings
  • Understanding of developments in the theory and changes in the practice of connoisseurship.
  • Awareness of the commercial and academic issues affecting attribution

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Two 2,000 word essays		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Two 2,000 word essays		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on their formative work within one week.

Students will receive feedback on their summative work within 20 working days.

Indicative reading

  • Aldrich, M., and J. Hackforth-Jones, Art and Authenticity, 2012
  • Gibson-Wood, C., Studies in the Theory of Connoisseurship from Vasari to Morelli, 1988,
  • Gombrich, E. H., ‘The Rhetoric of Attribution – A Cautionary Tale’, in Reflections on the History of Art, Oxford, 1987, pp.91-96
  • Neer, R., 'Connoisseurship and the Stakes of Style', Critical Inquiry, Vol. 32, No. 1 (Autumn 2005), pp. 1-26
  • Tummers, A., The Eye of the Connoisseur: Authenticating Paintings by Rembrandt and his Contemporaries, Amsterdam University Press, 2011
  • Uglow, L., 1.  ‘The Life and Death of The Connoisseur’, Arts Libraries Journal, Vol.39, No.1, January 2014, pp.17-23


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.