BA Art History and English Literature / Course details

This course covers European architecture and urbanism from the 15th to the mid-18th century. The first part of the course will explore the appearance and development of Renaissance architecture in Italy beginning with Brunelleschi and continuing through the later cinquecento. The second part will cover the emergence of the Baroque and its variants in France and England.

The course aims to provide students with a broad understanding of European classical architecture, from its reappearance during the Renaissance through its transformations in the 17th and early 18th century. Individual works will be presented and discussed as attempts to integrate considerations of purpose, patronage, site requirements, planning, construction, and style. Particular attention will be paid to the varying political circumstances and regional building traditions that shaped the new architecture

· be able to define the particular approaches to architecture associated with different phases of the early modern period and in different regional and national contexts.

· be able to discuss different historical interpretations of how, why, and where Renaissance and Baroque architecture developed as it did.

· be able to discuss the salient design features of individual projects in relation to specific constraints and requirements faced by the architect

· complete a research-intensive essay

· marshal appropriate evidence, frame arguments, write persuasively

· deliver a cogent, clear, and convincing presentation defending a specific point-of-view

· apply personal initiative to individual and collaborative tasks

· work in teams

· communicate effectively in an academic setting

· attend closely to visual and written evidence

· communicate ideas in a logical and engaging manner

· present research and analysis using oral, written and visual media

Written feedback on essays 1 and 2

Additional one-to-one feedback (during

consultation hour or by making an

appointment)

· John Summerson, The Classical Language of Architecture

• Christof Luitpold Frommel, The Architecture of the Italian Renaissance

• Ludwig H. Heydenreich, Architecture in Italy: 1400-1500 • Wolfgang Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600

• Frédérique Lemerle and Yves Pauwels, Baroque Architecture 1600-1750

• Rudolf Wittkower, Art and Architecture in Italy 1600-1750

• Robert Berger, A Royal Passion: Louis XIV as Patron of Architecture

• John Summerson, Architecture in Britain 1530-1830 • Anthony Blunt, Art and Architecture in France 1500-1700