ART-411-20, Exploration in Western Art (SP15)
INSTRUCTOR: Domenico Firmani
SCHEDULE/DAY/TIME: T1/Wednesday/6:00-8:45 PM, 01/28/2015-03/18/2015
A survey of how painters and sculptors have represented themselves and others throughout Western Art History. Subjects to be covered include the artists’ techniques and formats employed, whether the images are real or ideal, the need for flattering the setter, images of power, and the psychological portrait.
-Learn the major approaches to representing the likeness of a setter throughout history.
-Gain an understanding of how portraits functioned within various Western cultures.
-Become familiar with some of the artistic personalities producing the works.
-Study some of the more important materials and techniques utilized.
-Classroom slide lectures on basic concepts.
-Trip to Baltimore Museum of Art for class meeting. This will allow first hand examination of some painted and sculpted portraits.
REQUIREMENTS AND ASSIGNMENTS:
-Readings in assigned texts.
-In-class formal analysis by student of a painting or sculpture. 10%
-Research paper. 40%
-Quiz and final exam. 10% & 40%
Shearer West. “Portraiture.” Oxford University Press, 2004.
OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED:
RECOMMENDED READINGS AND/OR ASSIGNMENTS PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS:
Members of the class should read the Introduction and chapters 1-3 in West’s “Portraiture.”