Course detail

Middleages and Renaissance Art History Overview

FaVU-1PDU-SRAcad. year: 2024/2025

The course focuses on the following topics through selected chapters from the history of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture: 1) the Christian art of the Romanesque and Gothic periods with respect to the Bohemian lands, especially the art of the Luxemburg, Corvinus and Jagiellonian periods, and its interpretation; the focus is on the characteristics of the period and all the essential aspects of medieval artwork – especially its function – as well as the changing status of the medieval artist and questions concerning the position of art and its perception; 2) visual media in a period of revolutionary social, religious and political change and artistic innovation during the Renaissance; thus, the bulk of the course focuses on Renaissance art in Italy 15th and 16th centuries, on the juxtaposition of the Italian and Nordic models of the Renaissance, and on the specificities of the socio-political contexts; from the late 15th century onwards, Italy became a model for the whole of Europe that could be rejected or accepted but could not be ignored. The period in question is therefore given special attention in the course: it is both the beginning of the early modern period – even north of the Alps – and a time when the possibilities of a pluralistic society were developing in Central Europe. The “transformations of the Renaissance” are illustrated not only through iconic works of architecture, sculpture and painting, but also through theoretical writings, and the teaching also focuses on the theme of European mannerism and art in the circle of Emperor Rudolf II.

 

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

3

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

Mgr. Markéta Žáčková, Ph.D.

Department

Department of Art History and Theory (KTDU)

Entry knowledge

Basic knowledge of general history and history of art and architecture of the medieval and Renaissance periods at secondary school level; general cultural overview.

 

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The following conditions are set for the award of the examination:

  • active participation in class (70%)
  • analysis and interpretation of two selected works based on the principle of 'pre-iconographic' and 'post-iconographic' reading, with the aim of bringing the works to the recipients as they would be in a lecturing programme in an exhibition institution
  • the preparation and delivery of a presentation, an integral part of which is an outline of the social and political context of the creation of the selected works, and a follow-up discussion
 

Classes are held in the classrooms of the Department of Theory and History of Art at the Faculty of Fine Arts of the Brno University of Technology in Brno in the hours determined by the timetable. Excursions may be situated on working days when standard teaching is not taking place. Attendance is compulsory (3 unexcused absences allowed). Higher numbers of absences may be compensated by submitting alternative assignments in agreement with the teachers.

 

Aims

The aim of the course is to provide students with an overview of the defining artistic movements, theoretical concepts, developmental tendencies and authorial approaches in painting, sculpture, applied art and architecture of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Particular emphasis is placed on the interconnection of art and architecture with the socio-political situation, the function of the artwork, representation, the position of the artist and his relationship to the client. Topics such as symbolism, style, patronage and taste are also examined. In the course, learners become familiar with these areas through lectures, reading and interpretation of contemporary and current texts, presentations with discussions and field trips. They will become familiar with the political, social and ideological background of the artistic production of the period under study, whose manifestations they will be able to critically reflect, analyse and interpret in terms of contemporary art history theory and methodology.

 

Students will be able to define basic concepts in painting, sculpture, applied art and architecture of the medieval and Renaissance periods in a broader social, cultural and political context. At the same time they will be able to identify, describe and interpret the basic stylistic tendencies and key works of art and architecture of the periods under study and relate them to contemporary theoretical concepts against the background of current art history theory and methodology.

 

Upon completion of the course, the learner will acquire the ability to:

  • identify, describe and interpret the main stylistic characteristics of medieval and Renaissance works of art
  • understand the historical, religious and philosophical contexts that shaped the production and reception of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture, and the ways in which prevailing cultural norms and values were reflected and manifested, or challenged
  • analyse and compare the different artistic styles, media and techniques applied in medieval and Renaissance art and architecture and recognise their regional and temporal differences as well as their cultural and social meanings
  • know the major artists, patrons and institutions that established the development of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture
  • define the socio-political and power relations that enabled the creation and dissemination of works of art
  • think critically and strengthen communication skills through the study of scholarly texts, visual materials, and active participation in group projects and discussions
  • become aware of the ethical, aesthetic and epistemological issues raised by the study of medieval and Renaissance art and architecture and the ways in which they intersect with wider debates in art history, cultural studies and the humanities more generally
  • speak and write insightfully about medieval and Renaissance art
 

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

Not applicable.

Recommended reading

BARTLOVÁ, Milena (ed.): Michael Baxandall. Inteligence obrazu a jazyk dějin umění. Výbor z textů. 1. vyd. Praha: Vysoká škola uměleckoprůmyslová, 2019. 240 s. ISBN 978-80-87989-37-1.
BAXANDALL, Michael. Painting and Experience in Fifteenth-Century Italy: A Primer in the Social History of Pictorial Style. 2nd ed. Oxford – New York: Oxford University Press, 1988, 183 p. ISBN: 978-0192821447.
BAXANDALL, Michael. The Limewood Sculptors of Renaissance Germany. 7th ed. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2008. 420 p. ISBN: 9780300028294.
BAŽANT, Jan. Umění českého středověku a antika. 1. vyd. Praha: KLP-Koniasch Latin Press, 2000. 271 s. ISBN: 80-85917-73-4.
BELTING, Hans – KRUSE, Christiane. Die Erfindung des Gemäldes. Das erste Jahrhundert der niederländischen Malerei. 1. Aufl. München: Hirmer Verlag, 1994. 552 S. ISBN‎: 978-3777464503.
BELTING, Hans. Bild und Kult. Eine Geschichte des Bildes vor dem Zeitalter der Kunst. 6. Aufl. München: C. H. Beck, 2004. 700 S. ISBN: 978-3-406-37768-6.
BELTING, Hans. Likeness and Presence. A History of the Image before the Era of Art, 1994. 1st ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1994. 676 p. ISBN: 978-0226042145.
BENEŠOVSKÁ, Klára et al. Velké dějiny zemí Koruny české. 1. vyd. Praha: Paseka, 2009. 806 s. ISBN: 978-80-7432-000-2.
BERTOTTI SCAMOZZI, Ottavio – PISANI, Emiliabianca. The Buildings and Designs of Andrea Palladio. New York: Princeton Architectural Press, 2015, 327 p. ISBN: 978-1-61689-264-7.
BIAŁOSTOCKI, Jan. The Art of the Renaissance in Eastern Europe: Hungary, Bohemia, Poland. 1st ed. Oxford: Phaidon, 1976. 312 p. ISBN: 978-0714817002.
BOHN, Babette – SASLOW, James M. (eds.). A Companion to Renaissance and Baroque Art. 1st ed. Chichester, West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2013. 648 p. ISBN: 978-1-444-33726-6.
BUKOVINSKÁ, Beket – FUČÍKOVÁ, Eliška – MUCHKA, Ivan. Umění na dvoře Rudolfa II. 1. vyd. Praha: Aventinum, 1991. 255 s. ISBN: 80-85277-04-2.
BURCKHARDT, Jacob Christoph. Kultura renesance v Itálii. 1. vyd. Praha: Rybka, 2013. 503 s. ISBN: 978-80-87067-08-6.
BURKE, Jill (ed.). Rethinking the High Renaissance. The Culture of theVisual Arts in Early sixteenth-century Rome. 1st ed. Farnham: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2012. 386 p. ISBN: 978-1-4094-2558-8.
BURKE, Peter. Hybrid Renaissance: Culture, Language, Architecture. 1st ed. Budapest: Central European University Press, 2016. 271 p. ISBN: 978-963-386-087-8.
BURKE, Peter. Italská renesance. Kultura a společnost v Itálii. 1. vyd. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1996. 319 s. ISBN: 80-204-0589-5.
BŮŽEK, Václav et al. Dvory velmožů s erbem růže. Všední a sváteční dny posledních Rožmberků a pánů z Hradce. 1. vyd. Praha: Mladá fronta, 1997. 315 s. ISBN: 80-204-0651-4.
ČEPIČKA, Ladislav – FUČÍKOVÁ, Eliška (eds.). Valdštejn. Albrecht z Valdštejna. Inter arma silent musae? 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 2007. 621 s. ISBN: 978-80-200-1565-5.
DUBY, Georges. Věk katedrál. Umění a společnost 980–1420. 1. vyd. Praha: Argo, 2002. 332 s. ISBN: 80-7203-418-9.
DVORSKÝ Jiří – FUČÍKOVÁ, Eliška (eds.). Dějiny českého výtvarného umění II/1– 2. Od počátku renesance do závěru baroka. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1989. 905 s. ISBN: 80-200-0069-0.
ELKINS, James – WILLIAMS, Robert. Renaissance Theory. 1st ed. New York: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2008. 550 p. ISBN: 0203929861.
EVERS, Bernd – THOENES, Christof. Architectural Theory. Pioneering Texts on Architecture from the Renaissance to Today. Köln: Taschen, 2019, 633 p. ISBN: 978-3-8365-5746-7.
FAJT, Jiří – ROYT, Jan. Magister Theodoricus, dvorní malíř císaře Karla IV.: umělecká výzdoba posvátných prostor hradu Karlštejna (kat. výst.). 1. vyd. Praha: Národní galerie v Praze, 1997. 54 s. ISBN: 80-7035-163-2.
FAJT, Jiří (ed.). Karel IV., císař z Boží milosti. Kultura a umění za vlády Lucemburků 1310–1437. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 2006. 679 s. ISBN: 80-200-1399-7.
FRANCASTEL, Pierre. Figura a místo. Vizuální řád v italském malířství 15. století. 1. vyd. Praha: Odeon, 1984. 325 s. ISBN: sine.
FRANCASTEL, Pierre. Malířství a společnost. Výtvarný prostor od renesance ke kubismu. 1. vyd. Brno: Barrister& Principal, 2003. 163 s. ISBN: 80-86598-49-7.
FUČÍKOVÁ, Eliška et al. Rudolf II. a Praha. Císařský dvůr a rezidenční město jako kulturní a duchovní centrum střední Evropy (kat. výst.). 1. vyd. Praha: Správa Pražského hradu, 1997. 386 s. ISBN 80-902051-6-X.
FUČÍKOVÁ, Eliška et al. Rudolf II. a Praha. Císařský dvůr a rezidenční město jako kulturní a duchovní centrum střední Evropy. Katalog vystavených exponátů. 1. vyd. Praha: Správa Pražského hradu, 1997. 522 s. ISBN: 80-902051-7-8.
GOMBRICH, Ernst Hans. New Light on Old Masters. London: Phaidon, 2000, 191 p. ISBN: 0-7148-2989-7.
GOMBRICH, Ernst Hans. O renesanci 1. Norma a forma. Symbolické obsahy. 1. vyd. Praha: Argo, 2022. 656 s. ISBN: 978-80-257-3628-9.
GOMBRICH, Ernst Hans. O renesanci 2. Apellův odkaz. Symbolické obrazy. 1. vyd. Praha: Argo, 2022. 430 s. ISBN: 978-80-257-3774-3.
HALL, James. Slovník námětů a symbolů ve výtvarném umění. 2. vyd. Praha: Paseka, 2008. 517 s. ISBN: 978-80-7185-902-4.
HLOBIL, Ivo – PETRŮ, Eduard. Humanismus a raná renesance na Moravě. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1992. 274 s. ISBN: 80-200-0385-1.
HOMOLKA, Jaromír et al. Pozdně gotické umění v Čechách, 1471–1526. 1. vyd. Praha: Odeon, 1978. 529 s. ISBN: sine.
HUIZINGA, Johan. Podzim středověku. 1. vyd. Jinočany: H & H, 1999. 675 s. ISBN: 80-86022-26-9.
CHADRABA, Rudolf (ed.). Dějiny českého výtvarného umění I/1–2. Od počátků do konce středověku. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1984. 683 s. ISBN: 80-200-0069-0.
INGERLE, Petr. Příběh perspektivy. Dějiny jedné ideje. Od renesance k modernímu umění a myšlení. 1. vyd. Brno: Barrister & Principal, 2010. 221 s. ISBN: 978-80-87474-09-9.
JOHNSON, Paul. Dějiny renesance. 1. vyd. Brno: Barrister& Principal, 2004. 149 s. ISBN: 80-86598-68-3.
KALINA, Pavel. Benedikt Ried a počátky záalpské renesance. 1. vyd. Praha: Academia, 2009. 299 s. ISBN: 978-80-200-1744-4.
KAUFMANN, Thomas DaCosta. Court, Cloister and City. The Art and Culture of Central Europe 1450–1800. 1st. ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1995. 576 p. ISBN: 0226427307.
KONEČNÝ, Michal – VALEŠ, Tomáš. Moravský aristokrat v labyrintu světa. Státní zámek Bučovice/The Moravian Aristocrat in the Labyrinth of the World. State Chateau Bučovice. 1. vyd. Kroměříž: Národní památkový ústav, 2017. 127 s. ISBN: 978-80-906899-5-4.
KONEČNÝ, Michal (ed.). Na věčnou paměť, pro slávu a vážnost. Renesanční aristokratická sídla v Čechách a na Moravě ve správě Národního památkového ústavu. 1. vyd. Kroměříž – Brno: Národní památkový ústav, územní památková správa v Kroměříži – Masarykova univerzita, 2017. 668 s. ISBN: 978-80-906899-2-3; 978-80-210-8781-1.
KRČÁLOVÁ, Jarmila. Centrální stavby české renesance. 2. vyd. Praha: Academia, 1976. 100 s. ISBN: sine.
LE GOFF, Jacques. Kultura středověké Evropy. 1. vyd. Praha: Odeon, 1991. 747 s. ISBN: 80-207-0206-7.
LEGNER, Anton. Reliquien in Kunst und Kult. Zwischen Antike Und Aufklärung. 1 Aufl. Darmstadt: Wissenschaftliche Buchgesellschaft, 1995. 430 S. ISBN: 9783534126149.
Literatura – renesance:
Literatura – středověk:
MAGRELLI, Shaaron – SANNA, Angela – TADDEI, Francesca. Renaissance/Renesans/Renesance/Reneszánsz. Praha: Slovart, 2009. 325 s. ISBN: 978-80-7391-329-8.
MIKŠ, František. Gombrich. Tajemství obrazu a jazyk umění. Pozvání k dějinám a teorii umění. 4. rozšířené vyd. Brno: Books & Pipes, 2021. 397 s. ISBN 978-80-7485-231-2.
MUCHKA, Ivan et al. Hvězda. Arcivévoda Ferdinand Tyrolský a jeho letohrádek v evropském kontextu. 1. vyd. Praha: Artefactum, 2014. 569 s. ISBN 978-80-86890-65-4.
NASH, Susie. Northern Renaissance Art. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008. 354 p. ISBN: 9780192842695.
NATHAN, Johannes – ZÖLLNER, Frank. Leonardo da Vinci: 1452–1519. Praha: Slovart, 2011. 2 sv. ISBN: 978-80-7391-513-1.
PANOFSKY, Erwin. Význam ve výtvarném umění. 2. rev. vyd. Praha: Malvern, 2013. 399 s. ISBN: 978-80-87580-37-0.
PÖPPER, Thomas – THOENES, Christof – ZÖLLNER, Frank. Michelangelo, 1475–1564. Dílo. Praha: Slovart, 2008. 768 s. ISBN: 978-80-7391-086-0.
PREISS, Pavel. Italští umělci v Praze. Renesance, manýrismus, baroko. Praha: Panorama, 1986, 548 s. ISBN: sine.
ROYT, Jan. Středověké malířství v Čechách. 1. vyd. Praha: Karolinum, 2002. 163 s. ISBN 80-246-0265-2.
SAVICKÝ, Nikolaj. Renesance jako změna kódu. O komunikaci slovem a obrazem v italském rinascimentu. 2. vyd. Praha: Prostor, 2010. 261 s. ISBN: 978-80-7260-236-0.
TOMAN, Rolf (ed). Umění italské renesance. Architektura, sochařství, malířství, kresba. 2. české vyd. Praha: Slovart, 2000. 464 s. ISBN: 80-7209-252-9.
VLADISLAV, Jan (ed.). Giorgio Vasari. Životy nejvýznačnějších malířů, sochařů a architektů. 1. vyd. Voznice: Leda, 2019. 2 sv., 772 s. ISBN: 978-80-7335-619-4.
WALTHER, Ingo F. – WUNDRAM, Manfred. Renesance. Praha – Köln: Slovart – Taschen, 2007, 95 s. ISBN: 978-80-7209-961-0.
WOLF, Norbert. Albrecht Dürer, 1471–1528. Praha: Slovart, 2007, 96 s. ISBN: 978-80-7209-889-7.
ZERNER, Henri. Renaissance Art in France. The Invention of Classicism. 1st ed. Paris: Flammarion, 2003. 478 s. ISBN: 2080111442.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme VUM_B Bachelor's 1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory
    1 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

24 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

PhDr. Kaliopi Chamonikolasová, Ph.D.
Mgr. Markéta Žáčková, Ph.D.

Syllabus

      1. Christian art and the beginnings of medieval culture. Basic concepts, periodisation, Christian iconography, Byzantine art (characteristics, main centres – Constantinople, Ravenna), Carolingian and Ottonian Renaissance, Christianisation in the Bohemian lands (art of Great Moravia).
      2. The meaning of the concept of “art” in the Middle Ages (the heritage of antiquity, scholastic systematics), the function of art (the image), artistic practice (the artist-craftsman, the commissioner, the audience, the functioning of the building works, the workshop, the artistic “market”). The status of the artist, the identity of the artist, the concept of originality, the signature, medieval visuality – from the image to “art”. The cult of saints, relics and their place in the liturgy, the phenomenon of pilgrimage routes and their influence on the development of architecture. Romanesque art.
      3. Art of the Middle Ages in Bohemia, art of the time of John of Luxembourg and Charles IV. The period of Wenceslas IV. The social and religious crisis, the Council of Constance and the Council of Basel and their consequences for the visual arts.
      4. Art in the Netherlands and its influence on Central Europe: Jan van Eyck, Nicolaus Gerhaert of Leyden. Art and culture under the Jagiellonian rule, the most important artistic enterprises and the most important personalities.
      5. Excursion: a guided tour of medieval monuments in Brno; alternative: a visit to a selected exhibition (Moravian Gallery in Brno, Diocesan Museum at Petrov in Brno, National Gallery in Prague) or a specialised exhibition in Brno or Prague according to the current offer.
      6. Terminological and chronological issues, clarification of “different types of Renaissance” in the course of history from theocentric to anthropocentric conception of the world. The new concept of art: Lorenzo Ghiberti, Cristoforo Landino, Leon Battista Alberti, “ars” and Leonardo da Vinci. Art history as the history of the lives of “the most outstanding painters sculptors and architects”: Giorgio Vasari and his followers. Florence and its role in the development of the early Renaissance. The problem of perspective.
      7. The change of artistic opinion in the Netherlands and France, the situation in Bohemia.
      8. The High Renaissance in Rome and the power of the papacy, the main artistic enterprises; Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo.
      9. Renaissance beyond the Alps – centres of power and forms of representation. Mannerist theory of art and architecture. Mannerism in Italy, Northern Europe and the court of Rudolf II.
      10. Excursion: the Buèovice Castle as a unique example of Italian Mannerism north of the Alps; alternative: a guided tour of Renaissance monuments in Brno; a visit to a selected exhibition (Moravian Gallery in Brno, National Gallery in Prague) or a specialised exhibition in Brno or Prague according to the current offer.
      11. Final presentations and discussions
      12. Final presentations and discussions
      13. Final presentations and discussions
 

Field trip

4 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Mgr. Markéta Žáčková, Ph.D.