History of Gothic Art
Code
711061022
Academic unit
Faculdade de Ciências Sociais e Humanas
Department
História da Arte
Credits
6
Weekly hours
4
Teaching language
Portuguese
Objectives
To identify the structural and aesthetic elements characteristic of gothic architecture; To relate the emergence of gothic architecture to its the political, social, economical and cultural context; To recognize a gothic building through graphic representations and photographs; To characterize the different phases of the developement of gothic architecture in France; To identify the formal characters of gothic architecture in France (north and south), Germany, Italy, England and Spain; To relate the dynamics of gothic sculpture to medieval mentalities; To identify new iconographical proposals within gothic art; To acknowledge the relationship of medieval art with polychromy, its uses and different approaches across Europe; 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 material results
1.3. Cistercian constructions and the spread of gothic aesthetics Saint Bernard versus Suger?
1.4. The gothic cathedral. The first experiences: Sens, Noyon, Laon and Paris
1.5. Affirmation of a model: Chartres, Reims, Amiens
1.6. The proposals of the mediterranean south: Midi and Catalonia
1.7. The spread of gothic forms: England, Italy and Spain
2. Naturalism, humanism and devotion
2.1. Monumental sculpture: formal and iconographical novelties
2.2. Selfawareness: the funerary effigy
2.3. The arts of colour: stained-glass and painting
2.4. The Middle Ages books: illuminated manuscripts
3. The Late Gothic: from mysticism (devotio moderna) to the joy of living (feast and spectacle)
Bibliography
CROSSLEY, P. (1988). Medieval Architecture and Meaning : The Limits of Iconography. The Burlington Magazine, 130/1019, 116-121 http://www.jstor.org/stable/883315?origin=JSTOR-pdf
DAUSSY, S. D. & TIMBERT, A. (Eds.) (2012). Architecture et sculpture gothiques. Renouvellement des méthods et des regards. Rennes : Presses Univ. Rennes
DUBY, G. (1979). O Tempo das Catedrais. A Arte e a Sociedade (940-1420). Lisboa: Editorial Estampa
ERLANDE-BRANDENBOURG, A. (1999). De pierre, dor et de feu. La création artistique au Moyen Âge IV-XIII siècle. Paris : Fayard
PANOFSKY, E. (1998). Architecture gothique et pensée scolastique. Paris, 1967
Teaching method
Theoretical-practical 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 bibliography 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 grade.