Art History and Spirituality in Western Europe (CH3212Y)

Content

This unit investigates some of the ways in which visual images for example painting and sculpture reflected the spiritual characteristics and preoccupations of the Late Middle Ages, 1300-1500. After identifying the most important sacred stories and their chief personages, i.e. Jesus, the Virgin Mary, and various saints, the unit examines the patrons and audience for these "images of salvation". What objects inspired devotion and how did these paintings, sculptures and other objects instruct the faithful in the mysteries of faith.

Learning outcomes

Unit sequence

This unit is generally available as an elective unit in all undergraduate awards.

Pedagogy

Lectures, class discussion and class visit to the NGV International

Indicative Bibliography

• Baxandall, Michael. Painting and Experience in Fifteenth Century Italy. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988.
• Clifton, James. The Body of Christ in the Art of Europe and New Spain, 1150-1800. Munich: Prestel-Verlag, 1997.
• Finaldi, Gabriele. The Image of Christ. London: National Gallery Company Ltd, 2000.
• Hamburger, J. The Visual and the Visionary: Art and Female Spirituality in Late Medieval Germany. New York: Zone Books, 1998.
• de Voragine Jacobus. The Golden Legend. Translated by William Granger Ryan, 2 vols, Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1993.
• Katz, Melissa R. Divine Mirrors: The Virgin Mary in the Visual Arts. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2001.
• Marks, Richard. Image and Devotion in Late Medieval England. Stroud: Sutton Publishing Ltd, 2004.
• Os, H.W. van. The Art of Devotion in the Late Middle Ages in Europe 1300-1500. Princeton, N.J. Princeton University Press, 1994
• Raitt, J. (ed.) Christian Spirituality: High Middle Ages and Reformation. New York: Crossroad, 1988.
• Woods, Kim W., (ed.) Art and visual culture: 1100-1600: medieval to renaissance. Millbank, London: Tate Publisher in association with Open University, 2012.

Assessment