MODERN ART

Modern Art (EM3E17-1) is the first module of a 12-credit course in Modern and Contemporary Art proposed as one of the core educational activities of the Master's Degree Programme in Economics and Management of Arts and Cultural Activities. The course intends to provide a solid preparation on the relationship between art and society in the modern period (15th-18th centuries). A specific aspect illustrated with a series of examples and models will enable the student to acquire specific analytical tools and develop transversal critical skills useful for an in-depth reflection on project strategies, on the indispensable connections to be established between historical-artistic heritage and economy, also in order to better face current challenges concerning our cultural heritage.

- Demonstrate knowledge and ability to understand the topics developed during the lectures, namely to know the major protagonists, artists and collectors, as well as to understand the mechanisms that have shaped the art market, and its social, anthropological and theoretical implications;
- To be able to apply the acquired knowledge and understanding in a different context and in a new situation, and to problematise using the tools of analysis acquired during the lessons;
- To acquire a learning ability and an autonomy of judgement such as to be able to develop in a coherent and original way a personal reflection on the question of taste, also extended to an interdisciplinary context;
- To be able to communicate clearly, using the appropriate terminology relating to the work of art and its context, to relate to teachers and peers through constructive dialogue and a collaborative attitude, as well as to demonstrate ability in the exposition of complex reasoning relating to the themes dealt with in the lessons.

A basic knowledge of the history of art and architecture from the 15th to the 18th century is recommended.

The course focuses on the genesis of art market and on the figures of collecting, commenting on a selection of case studies from the 16th to the 18th century, in order to analyze the many aspects of the art market, the social dynamics and the construction mechanisms of the collections and the evolution of the taste. Particular attention is given to the collector’s image examined through the sources, the portraiture and the representation of art collections.

In addition to the bibliography indicated below, further bibliographical references and reading suggestions will be provided during the lessons, as well as an individual support for the construction of a more specific bibliography in order to prepare the seminar.
- Cristina De Benedictis, Per la storia del collezionismo italiano. Fonti e documenti, Firenze, 1998.
- Krzysztof Pomian, Collezionisti, amatori e curiosi: Parigi - Venezia XVI - XVIII secolo, Milano, Il Saggiatore, 1989.
- Francis Haskell, Nicholas Penny, L’antico nella storia del gusto : la seduzione della scultura classica 1500 - 1900, Torino, Einaudi, 1984.
- Il collezionismo a Venezia e nel Veneto ai tempi della Serenissima, atti del convegno a cura di Bernard Aikema e Rosella Lauber, Venezia, Marsilio, 2005.

The course includes two complementary ways of assessing learning. In view of the seminar activity of the course, students will be asked to choose a topic to study and present in the classroom that will allow them to feed and continue the group reflection, focusing according to their own affinities on a topic related to the course content. Students will be asked to provide the teacher, at least one week before the day of the oral final exam, with a short written paper presenting this personal research, following the instructions given at the beginning of the course. In the overall assessment, this personal research paper accounts for 40% of the total mark. The oral examination will consist of the discussion of this paper (20%), supplemented by questions on the content of the lectures (40%).

written and oral

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

Regarding the grading scale for the oral exam:
A. Scores in the range of 18-22 will be assigned for:
- Sufficient knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Limited ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Sufficient communication skills.
B. Scores in the range of 23-26 will be assigned for:
- Fair knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Fair ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fair communication skills.
C. Scores in the range of 27-30 will be assigned for:
- Good or excellent knowledge of the textbooks and related topics
- Good or excellent ability to use data and form independent judgments
- Fully appropriate communication skills.
D. The “laude” will be awarded to students with excellent knowledge and comprehension of the textbooks and related topics.

In addition to the lectures, there will be seminar sessions in which students, in groups or individually, will present a short paper on a topic agreed with the lecturer at the beginning of the course. Possible external visits and interventions will be proposed.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Human capital, health, education" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development