Academic Year 2021/2022
History of Architecture
Prof.ssa Maria Beltramini (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) - Prof.ssa Sara Bova (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
Syllabus
Renaissance Rome. From Alberti to Michelangelo
Important | before the beginning of the course, students are expected to read the following book
J.N. Summerson, The classical language of architecture, 1st ed. 1963
especially the first three chapters
- Please always check Timetable updates -
Week 1
Lecture 1 | Wednesday, 17 November 2021, 9 am – 12 pm - Classroom: Sala Riunioni/Aula Dipartimentale, 4th floor, Building B
1. Introduction to the course. Main objectives, and explanation of the written exam assignment and of the oral examination criteria | 30 m
2. Early-Renaissance architecture in Florence: a general outline | 45 m
3. Rome in the years of Leon Battista Alberti (1432-1472) | 1h 45 m
Bibliography
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 39-47.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 13-26, 31-48, 51-54.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 26-86.
L.H. Heydenreich, Architecture in Italy 1400-1500, introduction and notes by P. Davies, New Haven 1996 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 13-24, 35-44, 55-58.
C.W. Westfall, “Alberti and the Vatican Palace type”, Journal of the Society of Architectural Historians, 33 1974, 2, pp. 101-121.
Lecture 2 | Wednesday, 17 November 2021, 2 pm – 5 pm
4. The Palazzo Venezia (on-site visit)
Bibliography
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 45-47.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 51-53.
L.H. Heydenreich, Architecture in Italy 1400-1500, introduction and notes by P. Davies, New Haven 1996 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 69-71.
T. Magnuson, Studies in Roman Quattrocento Architecture, Stockholm 1958. pp. 245-296.
Lecture 3 | Friday, 19 November 2021, 9 am – 12 pm - Room: P25
5. Rome in the late Fifteenth century under the papacies of Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII and Alexander VI
Bibliography
D.R. Coffin, The villa in the life of Renaissance Rome, Princeton (NJ) 1979, pp. 69-87.
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 47-50.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 54-56.
L.H. Heydenreich, Architecture in Italy 1400-1500, introduction and notes by P. Davies, New Haven 1996 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 58-73.
T. Magnuson, Studies in Roman Quattrocento Architecture, Stockholm 1958, pp. 297-340.
Week 2
Lecture 4 | Monday, 22 November 2021, 9 am – 12 pm - VISIT
6. The Hospital of Santo Spirito in Sassia and the Palazzo della Cancelleria Nuova (on-site visit)
Bibliography
M.D. Davis, “‘Opus isodomum’ at the Palazzo della Cancelleria: Vitruvian studies and archeological and antiquarian interests at the Court of Raffaele Riario”, in Roma, centro ideale della cultura dell’Antico nei secoli XV e XVI: da Martino V al Sacco di Roma 1417-1527, convegno internazionale di studi (Roma, 25-30 novembre 1985), a cura di Silvia Danesi Squarzina, Milano 1989, pp. 442-457.
L.H. Heydenreich, Architecture in Italy 1400-1500, introduction and notes by P. Davies, New Haven 1996 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 71-73.
C. Keyvanian, “The Papal Hospital: Santo Spirito in Sassia”, in Id., Hospitals and urbanism in Rome, 1200-1500, Leiden-Boston 2015 (Brill’s studies in intellectual history, volume 251), pp. 339–383.
H. Günther, “Italian hospitals of the early Renaissance”, in Public buildings in early modern Europe, ed. by K. Ottenheym, K. De Jonge and M. Chatenet, Turnhout 2010, pp. 385-396 (in particular, pp. 393-396).
Lecture 5 | Friday, 26 November 2021, 9 am – 12 pm- Room: P25
7. Rome in the age of Julius II: Bramante’s works
Bibliography
J.S. Ackerman, “The Belvedere as a classical villa”, Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 14 1951, pp. 70-91.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 99-112.
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 50-54.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 114-159.
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 11-25.
Week 3
Lecture 6 | Tuesday, 30 November 2021, 2 pm – 5 pm
8. The Tempietto di San Pietro in Montorio and the Cloister of Santa Maria della Pace (on-site visit)
Bibliography
A. Bruschi, Bramante, London 1977, chapters on the cloister of Santa Maria della Pace and on the Tempietto of San Pietro in Montorio.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 125-126, 149-157.
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 11-12, 13.
Lecture 7| Friday, 3 December 2021, 9 am – 12 pm - Room: P25
9. Rome from Bramante’s death to the Sack of Rome (1513-1527): Raphael and his legacy
Bibliography
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 55-60.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 115-125.
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 27-34, 35-39, 45-60.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 159-176, 180-187, 188-190.
J.K.G. Shearman, “Raphael as Architect”, Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, 116 1968, pp. 388-409.
Week 4
Lecture 8 | Monday, 6 December 2021, 9 am – 12 pm
10. Raphael and Ancient Rome: the Pantheon and the Chigi Chapel in Santa Maria del Popolo (on-site visit)
Bibliography
H. Günther, “The Renaissance of Antiquity”, in The Renaissance from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, ed. by H. Millon and V. Magnago Lampugnani, New York 1997, pp. 259-306.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 163-164.
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), p. 27.
A. Nesselrath, “Raphael’s archaeological method”, in Raffaello a Roma: il convegno del 1983, Roma 1983, pp. 357-371.
J.K.G. Shearman, “Raphael, Rome, and the Codex Escurialensis”, Master drawings, 15 1977, pp. 107-146.
J.K.G. Shearman, “The Chigi Chapel in S. Maria del Popolo”, Journal of the Warburg and Courtauld Institutes, 24 1961, pp. 129-160.
Lecture 9 | Thursday, 9 December 2021, 9 am – 12 pm - Classroom: Sala Riunioni/Aula Dipartimentale, 4th floor, Building B
11. Michelangelo’s Rome: challenging Vitruvianism (1534-1564)
Bibliography
J.S. Ackerman, The architecture of Michelangelo, London 1995 (1st ed. 1961), pp. 25-36, 37-52, 171-192, 193-220, 260-268.
C.L. Frommel, The architecture of the Italian Renaissance, London 2007, pp. 135-144, 171-184.
C.L. Frommel, “Papal policy: the planning of Rome during the Renaissance”, in Art and history: images and their meaning, ed. by Robert I. Rotberg and Theodore K. Rabb, Cambridge 1988, pp. 39-65: 60-65.
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 89-106.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 209-297 (in particular, pp. 209-227, 260-274).
Week 5
Lecture 10 | Monday, 13 December 2021, 10 am – 13 pm
12. Porta Pia, the Sforza Chapel in Santa Maria Maggiore, the Capitolium (on-site visit)
Bibliography
J.S. Ackerman, The architecture of Michelangelo, London 1995 (1st ed. 1961), pp. 136-170, 221-242, 243-259).
W. Lotz, Architecture in Italy: 1500-1600, introduction and notes by D. Howard, New Haven 1995 (1st ed. 1974), pp. 94-97, 103-104.
D. Hemsoll, Emulating Antiquity: Renaissance buildings from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo, New Haven-London 2019, pp. 275-297.
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Exam Assignment 2021 2022
Italian Renaissance architecture and theory from Brunelleschi to Palladio
The course analyses the period from the first half of the 15th century in Rome, assessing Leon Battista Alberti’s role in the architectural transformation of the papal city, to the late 16th century, exploring the architectural works of Michelangelo. While focusing on Renaissance Rome, references to coeval architecture in other important urban centres of the Italian peninsula – such as Florence, Milan, Venice etc. – will be made. Special attention will be paid to the interpretation of antiquity and the ‘invention’ of the architectural orders.
Exam
During the oral exam students will demonstrate their acquired knowledge of Italian Renaissance Architecture, discussing with the instructor the Exam Assignment’s chosen topic and answering questions related to the architects and buildings studied during the course.
Each student will choose an Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400-1550) artwork (a painting on wood/canvas or a fresco, a marble or a bronze relief, a drawing, an engraving etc.), featuring a ‘classical’ building/s or ‘classical’ architectural elements of sorts and analyse it/them in detail on paper. Students are given a free choice (but here is a short list of Quattrocento and Cinquecento Italian artists, whose works are definitely worth browsing):
Donatello
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Masaccio
Filippo Lippi
Benozzo Gozzoli
Piero della Francesca
Andrea Mantegna
Jacopo, Gentile e Giovanni Bellini
Vincenzo Foppa
Domenico Ghirlandaio
Pietro Vannucci (Perugino)
Bernardo di Betto (Pintoricchio)
Luca Signorelli
Filippino Lippi
Sandro Botticelli
Vittore Carpaccio
Raffaello
Baldassarre Peruzzi
Giulio Romano
Perino del Vaga
Correggio
Parmigianino
Tiziano
Paolo Veronese
Francesco Salviati
Giorgio Vasari
Federico e Taddeo Zuccari
NB: The list provides suggestions, and students are welcome to explore outside its borders. Please, contact the instructor for help with the selection (to be sure your choice is appropriate!).
The paper should not exceed 3000 words and must include:
- a short summary of the known facts about the selected artwork, i.e. authorship, dating, production technique, production place, patronage, place of actual conservation etc. (please indicate the bibliography you consulted to collect the information);
- a thorough visual analysis (description) of the architectural elements represented;
- the identification of every possible architectural source for as much architectural elements as you can;
- a reflection about the ‘meaning’ of the presence of architecture in the chosen work (answering the following questions should help: in which way the architectural setting contributes to the visual structure of the represented scene? Does the architecture help in indicating a definite place or epoch, or the passing of time? Does the presence of architecture enhance the ‘message’ sent by the artwork? How does the interplay between represented architectural elements and actual ones – if any: like an original framing, for instance – function? etc).
The paper must be sent to Prof. Beltramini and Prof. Bova at least a week before the selected exam date (e-mails: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
2020/2021
Italian Renaissance architecture and theory from Brunelleschi to Palladio
The course analyzes the period between the beginning of the XV century in Florence exploring the work and theory of Filippo Brunelleschi and Leon Battista Alberti until the end of XVI century in Veneto with the work of Andrea Palladio. Special attention will be paid to the interpretation of antiquity and the ‘invention’ of the architectural orders.
Exam
During the oral exam students will demonstrate their acquired knowledge of Italian Renaissance Architecture discussing with the instructor the Exam Assignement’s chosen topic.
Exam Assignment 2020 2021
Each student will choose an Italian Renaissance (ca. 1400-1550) art work (a painting on wood/canvas or a fresco, a marble or a bronze relief, a drawing, an engraving etc.), featuring a ‘classical’ building/s or ‘classical’ architectural elements of sorts and analyse it/them in detail on paper. Students are given a free choice (but here is a short list of Quattrocento and Cinquecento italian artists, whose works are definitely worth browsing):
Donatello
Lorenzo Ghiberti
Masaccio
Filippo Lippi
Benozzo Gozzoli
Piero della Francesca
Andrea Mantegna
Jacopo, Gentile e Giovanni Bellini
Vincenzo Foppa
Domenico Ghirlandaio
Pietro Vannucci (Perugino)
Bernardo di Betto (Pintoricchio)
Luca Signorelli
Filippino Lippi
Sandro Botticelli
Vittore Carpaccio
Raffaello
Baldassarre Peruzzi
Giulio Romano
Perino del Vaga
Correggio
Parmigianino
Tiziano
Paolo Veronese
Francesco Salviati
Giorgio Vasari
Federico e Taddeo Zuccari
NB: The list provides suggestions, and students are welcome to explore outside its borders. Please contact the instructor if you need help with the selection.
The paper should not exceed 3000 words and must include:
- A short summary of the known facts about the selected art work, i.e. authorship, dating, place of production, patronage, place of actual conservation etc. (please indicate the bibliography you consulted to collect the information);
- A thorough visual analysis (description) of the architectural elements represented;
- A recovery of all the possible architectural sources for as much architectural elements as you can;
- A reflection about the ‘meaning’ of the presence of architecture in the choosen work (answering the following questions should help: in which way the architectural setting contributes to the visual structure of the represented scene? Does the architecture help in indicating a definite place or epoch, or the passing of time? How does the interplay between represented architectural elements and actual ones – if any, like an original framing, for instance – function?...).
The choice must be communicated by the end of the lessons (at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)
The paper must be sent to Prof. Beltramini at least a week before the selected exam date.
LESSONS TOPICS AND CALENDAR IN DETAIL here
Academic Year 2019/2020
Instructor: Prof. Maria Beltramini
Raphael and Architecture. Designs and Buildings in Renaissance Rome
The course will explore the involvement of Raphael (Urbino 1483 - Rome 1520), best known for his sweet painted Madonnas, with architecture, studying his profound design culture and lively originality as they emerge first in his painted oeuvre and then in his architectural drawings and actual buildings.
Course timetable available here
Detailed Calendar available here
Bibliography:
There is no english translation of the catalogue of the exhibition held in 1984 in Rome, Raffaello architetto, which is still the most complete and detailed study on the subject as a whole (this is why it is crucial that you follow the teaching sessions and the on-site visits). I will be giving you my powerpoint presentations after each lesson, to help you follow and remember, but you can start reading at least:
John Shearman, Raphael as Architect, in Journal of the Royal Society of Arts, 116 (April 1968), pp. 388-409 (pdf available)
J. Ackerman, The Regions of Italian Renaissance Architecture, in H. Millon, V. Magnago Lampugnani (eds.), “The Renaissance from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo”, New York, 1997, pp. 319-348 (in the faculty library)
H. Günther, The Renaissance of Antiquity, in H. Millon, V. Magnago Lampugnani (eds.), “The Renaissance from Brunelleschi to Michelangelo”, New York, 1997, pp. 259-306 (in the faculty library)
W. Lotz, Classical Architecture in Rome: Bramante and Raphael, in Architecture in Italy 1500-1600, revised by D. Howard, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 1996, pp. 11- 25 and 27-34 (in the faculty library)
Further readings will be made available soon
!!!!!! EXAM ASSIGNMENT 2019/2020 !!!!!
READINGS AND MATERIALS
Raphael 1 power point
Raphael 2 power point
Raphael 3 power point
Raphael 4 power point
Academic Year 2018-2019
Instructors: Prof. Maria Beltramini and visiting professor Prof. Ian Campbell
Schedule: Thursdays h.15-18 T23A, Fridays h.10-13 T23A starting October 4th
(Full timetable and details here)
Office: Building B, II Floor, Room 25
Office Hours by appointment only
NEWS: !!! PRESENTATION BOOKING CHART!! Click here to download it
(If in need of discussing about the Presentation, Prof. Campbell will see the students in Art History Office -Room 25 Build.B. 2nd floor- on November 8th 10:30-12:00. Please, be sure to book an appointment with Prof. Campbell by communicating to him or at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are coming or not).
The Renaissance of Rome c. 1400 - c.1500
by Prof. Ian Campbell
All students are expected to give a short illustrated presentation (no more than 20 minutes). Below I suggest 15 possible topics for you to choose from but I am happy for students to propose their own choice of topic if they agree it with me in advance.
The topics are meant to explore fully subjects which are touched on in lectures. If the presentation is on a particular building, please try to avoid merely making a guidebook description with information easily found elsewhere. Try to pose questions such as how the finished building (if there is one) differs from earlier projects (this will involve showing us preparatory drawings, or drawings of features which were built and have now been lost or altered, etc); or how the subject displays something distinctively Roman in the way it employs all’antica motifs, etc.
After your presentation there will be time for questions and feedback from myself you’re your fellow students, and then you will be asked to submit a report (2000-2500 words), either in English, the first part of which should summarise what you said in the presentation and include a full bibliography of sources used. The second part (0-500 words) should be a reflection on how you think the presentation went, what you think worked well and what you think you would do differently next time.
I will give you some written feedback on the presentation and the report.
1. Cosmatesque work in the Quattrocento
2. Use of spolia in the Renaissance
3. Re-use of antique buildings in the Renaissance
4. Use of octagonal columns in Quattrocento
5. Palazzo dei Tribunali
6. Palazzo Caprini
7. Palazzo Jacopo da Brescia
8. Palazzo Branconio
9. Pius II’s Benediction Loggia at St Peter’s
10. SS. Giuliano e Celso
11. S. Eligio degli Orefici
12. Capella Chigi, S. Maria del Popolo
13. S. Giovanni dei Fiorentini
14. S. Maria di Loreto
15. Villa Madama
16. Villa Giulia
17. Capella Cesi, S. Maria della Pace
18. The obelisk in Piazza del Popolo
19. Villa Lante
20. S. Giacomo degli Spagnoli
I will issue a booking chart at the time of the first lectures on 4th October.
Prof. Ian Campbell
Click here for Bibliography/Reading List
READINGS & MATERIALS
Lecture 2 (Ackerman and Frommel articles)
Lecture 5 (pwd Lecture5)
Lecture 6 (pwd Lecture6)
Lecture 7 (pwd Lecture7)
