History of Gothic Art
Code
711061022
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
História da Arte
Credits
6
Teacher in charge
Catarina Madureira Villamariz
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
To identify the structural and aesthetic elements that define gothic architecture;
To relate the issue of gothic architecture to its the social, political, enconomical and cultural environment;
To recognize a gothic building through graphic representations and photographs;
To characterize the different phases of gothic architecture developement;
To enumerate the formal characters of gothic architecture;
To relate the dynamics of gothic sculpture to medieval mentalities;
To identify new iconographical proposals within gothic art;
To acknowledge the main features of gothic painting, its different supports and schools; To articulate late gothic art to the changes occured in medieval Western world during the final centuries of the Middle Ages.
Prerequisites
None.
Subject matter
1. Emergence and affirmation of gothic architecture 12th-13th centuries.
1.1. The Middle Ages and gothic art: understanding and (mis)understandings
1.2.The origins of gothic art. Abbot Suger and the reconstruction of Saint-Denis. Aesthetic aspirations and physical results
1.3. Cistercian constructions and the spread of gothic proposals. Saint Bernard versus Suger. The cisterciean programmes.
1.4. The gothic cathedral. The first experiences: Sens, Noyon, Laon and Paris
1.5. The affirmation of a model: Chartres, Reims, Amiens
1.6. The proposals of the mediterranean south: the model of Midi and Catalonia
1.7. The spread of gothic forms: England, Italy and Spain
2. Naturalism and a new perspective on Man and the World.
2.1. Decorative and monumental sculpture: formal and iconographical novelties. The great cathedrals´ programmes. The selfawareness: the funerary effigy.
2.2. The arts of colour: stained-glass windows and painting.
2.3. The Middle Ages and te book: illuminated manuscripts.
3. The Late Gothic: from mysticism (devotio moderna) to the joy of living (feast and spectacle).
Bibliography
DUBY, G. O Tempo das Catedrais. A Arte e a Sociedade (940-1420). Lisboa: Editorial Estampa, 1979;
ERLANDE-BRANDENBOURG, A. De pierre, dor et de feu. La création artistique au Moyen Âge IV-XIII siècle. Paris : Fayard, 1999 ;
FISCHERS, F.W. e TIMMERS, J.J. Le gothique tardif, entre le mysticisme et la réforme. Paris : A. Michel, 1976 ;
PANOFSKY, E. Architecture gothique et pensée scolastique. Paris, 1967 ;
TOMAN, Rolf (ed.) O Gótico. Arquitectura. Pintura, Escultura. Koln: Konemann, 1998
Teaching method
Theoretical-practival lessons, with audiovisual material and the use of teaching methods and instruments, such as: texts; images and drawings. This curricular unit includes a field tryp to the monasteries of Alcobaça and Batalha. The study and preparation for this curricular unit shall be done through constant reading of recommended bibiliography and the support of the material provided in class.
Evaluation method
The evaluation is based on three written works: two book/article reviews; one written test. Regular attendance and participation in class are also considered in the final mark.