CONTEMPORARY ART HISTORY - I

The course provides the fundamental knowledge required for the study of contemporary art history. It introduces the subject through the major artistic developments from the late eighteenth century to the nineteenth century, highlighting their role in the formation of modern visual language and in paving the way for the Historical Avant-Gardes.
Trends, schools, and movements will be examined in their historical and cultural interconnections, from both a diachronic and synchronic perspective. The aim is to develop not only knowledge of the key figures and works of each period, but also the ability to identify the specific features of individual artistic phenomena and place them within their relevant cultural contexts.
Particular attention will be given to building familiarity with the artistic production of each period through exercises in the recognition, analysis, and attribution of works that are fundamental to the history of contemporary art.

Expected Learning Outcomes.

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
- Acquire the fundamental terminology of the discipline.
- Know the main artists, works, groups, and movements in the visual arts covered in the syllabus.
- Understand the historical and cultural dynamics that shape the artistic phenomena addressed in the course.

Applying knowledge and understanding
- Use the specialist terminology of contemporary art history correctly.
- Recognize the main artists and works studied in the course.
- Apply methodically the analytical tools introduced in lectures and through the assigned bibliography.

Making judgements
- Analyze a work of art by identifying its formal, stylistic, and expressive features.
- Evaluate the visual and compositional choices of an artist, a trend, or a movement among those examined in the course.
- Place works and artistic phenomena correctly within their historical, cultural, and temporal contexts.
- Develop and support an independent critical interpretation using appropriate language.

Communication skills
- Employ specific and appropriate terminology acquired through lectures and the study of the assigned texts.
- Present theoretical and art-historical content clearly, accurately, and with appropriate language.
- Engage in discussion with instructors and peers in a constructive, respectful, and informed manner.

Learning skills
- Use bibliographic resources and digital tools independently for the study of the visual arts.
- Locate sources and materials in institutional contexts (museums, galleries, exhibitions) and on online platforms (databases, catalogues, archives).
- Develop an autonomous study method aimed at further research and continuous learning.

There are no pre-requirement but it is recommendable a preliminary knowledge of Ancient, Medieval and Modern art.

From Neoclassicism to the Early Twentieth-Century Avant-Gardes: the relationship with art historical tradition between continuity, disruption, and innovation

C. Bertelli, La storia dell’arte, Mondadori 2015, Vol. 3 (3a e 3b), ediz. “Verde”.
Further referral text will be indicated at the beginning of the course.

Written exam consisting of six open-ended questions on specific artists and topics covered in class. The questions will also include identification, attribution, and formal analysis of two specific works of art.
Each question is scored on a scale of 1 to 5, the sum of which determines the student's grade.
The exam program for non-attending students remains the same.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

Insufficient (≤17) – Limited knowledge. Inadequate to reflect and present ideas.
Sufficient (18-20) – Uncertain or partially reworked knowledge. Basic or adequate skills.
Fair (21-23) – Sufficient or fair knowledge, reworked with some uncertainties. Decent skills.
Good (24-26) – Correct or complete knowledge, confidently reworked. Good skills.
Distinct (27-28) – Complete and confident knowledge. Notable skills.
Excellent (29-30) – Extensive knowledge, independently reworked. Excellent skills.
Outstanding (30 with honors) – Broad and in-depth knowledge, independently reworked. Full mastery of the language.

Frontal lessons with projections of images, power points, and video.
Critical texts readings and debates; discussions with students will be encouraged.
The texts covered and discussed in class, with any supporting tools, are provided by the teacher during the course and made available on the Moodle platform. These texts, collected in a list at the end of the course, are an integral part of the exam program.

Students are invited to deepen their theoretical study with visits to museums and art exhibitions, both in situ and online, in accordance with the course topics.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development