Lectures will start with the architecture of ancient Greece, go through the rise and fall of Rome, early Christian and Byzantine architecture up to the Carolingian Renaissance; they will then illustrate Romanesque architecture and the experiments of the Gothic period and will conclude with the Italian Renaissance.
The lectures will deal with the motivations of the patrons, the cultural and social environment, the formal characteristics and building techniques of the works in programme.
Reference bibliography:
- C. Bozzoni, V. Franchetti Pardo, G. Ortolani, A. Viscogliosi, L’architettura del mondo antico, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2006;
- G. Rocco, Guida alla lettura degli ordini architettonici antichi, I, Il Dorico, Napoli, Liguori Editore, 1997;
- G. Rocco, Guida alla lettura degli ordini architettonici antichi, II, Lo Jonico, Napoli, Liguori Editore, 2003;
- R. Bonelli, C. Bozzoni, V. Franchetti Pardo, Storia dell’architettura medievale, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1997;
- Storia dell’Architettura Italiana, Il Quattrocento, a cura di F. P. Fiore, Milano, Electa, 1998;
- Storia dell'architettura italiana, Il primo Cinquecento, a cura di A. Bruschi, Milano, Electa, 2002.
Further optional textbooks for in-depth analysis:
- Dizionario Enciclopedico di Architettura e Urbanistica (known as DAU, edited by P. Portoghesi), Roma, Istituto editoriale romano, 1968, 6 voll., (voci Grecia, Roma, Bizantino, Romanico.);
- L. Benevolo, Introduzione all’architettura, Bari, Laterza, 2001 (or later editions);
- D. Watkin, Storia dell’architettura occidentale, Milano, Zanichelli, 1996;
- R. Martin, Architettura greca, Milano, Electa, 1980.
- P. Gros, L'architettura romana. Dagli inizi del III secolo a. C. alla fine dell'alto impero, 2 voll., Milano, Longanesi, 2001;
- H.E. Kubach, Architettura carolingia e romanica, Milano, Electa, 1972;
- L. Grodecky, Architettura gotica, Milano, Electa, 1978;
- L. Benevolo, Storia dell’architettura del Rinascimento, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 1973;
- R. Wittkower, Principi architettonici nell'età dell'Umanesimo, Torino, Einaudi, 1964;
- P. Portoghesi, Roma del Rinascimento, Milano, Electa, 1971;
- A. Bruschi, Brunelleschi, Milano, Electa, 2006;
- F.P. Fiore, Leon Battista Alberti, Milano, Electa, 2012.
- Rinascimento da Brunelleschi a Michelangelo, a cura di H. Millon, V. Magnago Lampugnano, Milano, Bompiani, 1994;
- J.S. Ackerman, L'architettura di Michelangelo, ed. it. Torino, Einaudi, 1968;
- A. Bruschi, Bramante architetto, Bari, Laterza, 1969;
- C.L. Frommel, S. Ray, M. Tafuri, Raffaello architetto, Milano, Electa, 1984.
Learning Objectives - Last names H-Z
The main objective of the course is to cover the most significant moments, works and personalities that have characterized the birth and evolution of Western architectural culture. The course also aims to provide students with the necessary tools to understand the ways in which architectural phenomena have manifested, recognising the formal values and technical and constructive aspects also in relation to the social context, political, geographical and cultural reference.
Prerequisites - Last names H-Z
A basic knowledge of the major European events in the period covered is required.
Teaching Methods - Last names H-Z
The course will include lectures, including ones led by external speakers, to cover all the historical periods outlined in the program. There will also be guided tours and graphic exercises.
Further information - Last names H-Z
For attending students only:
- At the end of each lesson, critical readings and additional resources for further detailed analysis of specific course topics will be available on the Moodle platform.
- The following visits in the city of Florence are compulsory:
Baptistery; Cathedral; Santa Croce and the Pazzi Chapel; Santa Maria Novella; San Miniato al Monte; the square and the church of Santissima Annunziata; Palazzo Medici Riccardi; San Lorenzo (church; Old Sacristy; New Sacristy; Chapel of the Princes, Laurentian Library); Palazzo Rucellai (façade); church and Sacristy of Santo Spirito.
- A visit to the following cities is also highly recommended:
Pisa, Prato, Siena, Modena, Bologna, Ravenna, Ferrara, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto, Roma.
Type of Assessment - Last names H-Z
The candidate must demonstrate to be able to recognise forms and chronology of the architectures of the course programme, demonstrate an understanding of their structural and constructive mechanism, their cultural and social motivations. The candidate must also demonstrate a basic knowledge of architectural terminology.
For attending students only:
At the start of the course, dates for two optional partial examinations will be scheduled (on the first and second half of the course programme respectively). These partial examinations are aimed at testing the knowledge acquired by the student.
The examination methods and dates for the partial examinations will be explained in the first lesson.
In addition to studying the books indicated in the bibliography, a visit to some monuments in Florence is required.
For those not attending the course:
Oral examination on the entire course programme. To pass the examination candidates will have to demonstrate that they have achieved the general course objectives.
Course program - Last names H-Z
For a systematic illustration of the topics discussed in the course, please refer to the Moodle platform.