Authority and Invention: Medieval Art and Architecture

Masterworks of art and architecture in Western Europe from the decline of Rome to the dawn of the Italian Renaissance (300 to 1300 A.D.). The course explores the creative tension between the impulse to originality and the power of authoritative classical models in the invention of new architectural forms responsive to emergent societies following the collapse of ancient Rome. Emphasis is on representative works considered in their totality (architecture, painting, sculpture, and minor arts) as experiential wholes; and on the plurality of geographical and cultural contexts (Italy, Germany, France, England, and Spain).This is a lecture course with no prerequisites. Students gain in-depth knowledge of the forms, types, styles and cultural context of representative monuments over most of the Late Antique and medieval periods as well as familiarity with a fairly large number of works grouped around these buildings.Requirements include slide quizzes, short papers (5 pages) and a term paper (12 pages). Students with design skills may substitute a design exercise for one of the short papers. There are no midterm or final exams.GSD Number 4358, Medieval Studies 107. This course will have a discussion section on Fridays from 10-11 in the Special Collections area of the Loeb Library. This discussion section will not meet on Friday, September 3rd.