Art History

The course introduces students to masterpieces of European and American art. We take an in-depth look at masters like Michelangelo, Rembrandt and Velasquez and also explore the work of lesser-known artists like Bastein-Lapage, Carpeaux, or Kollowitz. Art history lectures are coordinated with the Humanities seminars. In our study of classical literature and the Bible, for example, we look at the texts and the images they inspired.

The course uses The Florence Academy of Art's extensive database of high quality digital images with a focus on the process of picture making: How does an artist use line, value, color, brush-work, narrative, and symbolism? What images or techniques did he learn from his teacher or other masters? How did his style and subject matter develop? What is the relationship of form and content in his work? A basic historical framework and relevant biographical details is included, however, names and dates matter less than inspiration. Students are asked to consider what is beautiful in the works they admire and are encouraged to debate the place of naturalistic painting and sculpture in the world today. Hopefully this will enable them to take the best of the tradition and use it to support their personal visions when they become professional artists.

Lectures offered in recent years:

Drawing the Human Figure
Greek Sculpture and Its Influence,
The Bible and Painting
Renaissance Architecture
Leonardo's Art and Science
Michelangelo and Renaissance Sculpture
Bellini, Giorgione, and Titian
Caravaggio and Ribera
Reynolds-Discourses on Art
Rembrandt
Velazquez
Bernini and Baroque Sculpture
Carpeaux, Rodin, and Claudel
American Impressionism
Russian Painting
Kroyer, Edelfelt, Zorn
Sargent and Sorolla
Bastein Lapage and Naturalism
Goya, Schile, and Munch
Painting, Poetry and Music
Annagoni and Wheyth

French Academy Prix de Rome sketch,
19th C





Vermeer, the Milk Maid







Titian, the Annunciation