Late Antiquity Art History
Code
711061013
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
História da Arte
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Jorge Manuel de Oliveira Rodrigues
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
To understand the relevance of art from the 5th century - with Suevi, Merovingians and Byzantines - to the end of the first millennium, through a series of thematic case studies ranging from Late Antiquity models to the transformations artistic, cultural , philosophical, economical, social and political - operated between the 5th and 10th centuries;
To cognize facts and case studies, from several European contexts, that help place the parameters of evolution of the Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages art in its diversity, including Portuguese coeval artistic production;
To critically assay the subjects essential bibliography, including some of the most recent scientific contributions, at a national and international level;
To approach some of the most recent contributions in history of art research, including the meaning of centralized plans, the rapports amidst the classical heritage and the barbarian contributions, or the contact/influences between West and East.
Prerequisites
Not applicable
Subject matter
1 - From Late Antiquity to the Middle Ages
1.1 - Transformation and decline of the Empire
1.2 Constantine and the Tetrarchs: Latin West and Greek East
1.3 The Invention of the Holy Sepulcher and Monotheism
1.4 Christianity in the Roman world
2 A transitional art:
2.1 Influences of the Ancient world: classicism and Paleochristianity
2.2 ´Barbaric´ contributions: from nomadism to conquest
2.3 Byzantium: survival and evolving of Roman models in the East
3 - Emergence of rural primacy and the origins of monasticism
3.1 Primitive Christian monasticism
3.2 Benedict of Nursia and the Benedictines
4 The Christianization of the Barbaric Kingdoms and the formation of European art:
4.1 The rural/shut European territory
4.2 Irish and Anglo-Saxon monasticism
4.3 - Merovingians and Carolingians
4.4 The Hispania: Visigoth and Asturian art
5 The year 1000: from millenarianism to the white mantle of churches´
Bibliography
- BANGO TORVISO, Isidro (1989), Alta Edad Media de la tradición Hispanogoda al Romànico, Madrid: Sílex
- BOWERSOCK, G. W., BROWN, Peter, GRABAR, Oleg,(ed.); GADDIS , Michael (col.) (1999), Late Antiquity : a guide to the postclassical world, Cambridge, Mass./London : The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press
- CASTRO VALDÉS, César García (2002), Arte Prerrománico en Asturias, Oviedo: Ediciones Nobel
- KRAUTHEIMER, Richard (1986), Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture, New Haven and London: Yale University Press (4ª ed.)
- MACIEL, M. Justino (1996), Antiguidade tardia e paleocristianismo em Portugal, Lisboa: Edição do Autor
Teaching method
Theoretical-practical classes including presentation of slides, maps, plans, elevations, diagrams and other graphic materials related to the subject, encompassing the reading and eventual discussion of texts of primordial relevance, enlisting the cooperation of reputed experts, whenever possible, with related field trips to Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages monuments, or Museums comprising works of art from this period, namely to Santa Comba de Bande (Ourense), San Pedro de la Nave (Zamora) or São Frutuoso de Montélios (Braga).
Evaluation method
Abstract/reading record of an essential text for the study of Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages art (special rules,defined in the evaluation criteria document apply) (15%);
Written paper analyzing a Late Antiquity and Early Middle Ages artistic object, maximum 10 pages of text + images and documents with no page limit (45%);
Written image or text commentary in class, 30 minutes (15%);
Written test with bibliographical consultation, comprehensively answering 2 of 3 given questions (25%) [possible exemption if the average marks of the other 3 evaluation elements equals or exceeds 14/20].