The Renaissance Woman

	Art 330   Spring, 2007	Schedule   Internet Links   Research Assignment   Suggested Topics   Midterm   Online Class materials
Phyllis and Aristotle Master of the Housebook, 1480's

This course will examine women as subjects, patrons and producers of art and culture in the Renaissance period from ca. 1350-1600. We will try to study a broad range of images of women, placing them into the context of the Christian tradition, classical revival, advent of printing, and the changing religious and social values that mark those years. To understand what we observe, we will apply both traditional art-historical methodologies and newer approaches suggested by feminist criticism and historical anthropology.

This course will be structured as a seminar. The first portion of the semester will be spent in lectures, reading and discussion, according to the attached schedule. A mid-term exam will give you a chance to reflect in writing upon a few of the topics we cover in the first weeks. A final exam will ask you to consider the question posed by the class: did women have a Renaissance?

Each student will also conduct research on a more general assigned topic which will culminate in a lengthy written paper (15-20 pages). This topic must be chosen or assigned by February 4th. In the second part of the term, each student will conduct a class session--that is, give an oral presentation--on her topic.

Our unit on the Taming of the Shrew will include viewings outside of class of one or two filmed versions of Shakespeare's play. Although you will have an opportunity to travel to the Cleveland Museum with other art history classes, you will not be required to do so for this class.

Schedule:

Readings and discussion will take place according to the attached TENTATIVE schedule, subject to change as the class proceeds. Please note:

Evaluation:

Assigned Texts:

Renaissance Woman: Art 330, a collection of xeroxed articles.
TINAGLI, P. Women in Italian Renaissance Art
FIRENZUOLA, A. On the Beauty of Women.
BYNUM, C. Holy Feast and Holy Fast.
BRUCKER, G. Giovanni and Lusanna.
SHAKESPEARE, W. Taming of the Shrew.
WARNER, M. Alone of All Her Sex

Reference Texts:

Although there is no specific art history prerequisite, a general knowledge of Renaissance art and artists might be useful for this course. For background on basic topics, consult the following texts, a few copies of which are available for purchase (or might be borrowed from art history majors, minors, and groupies). Any edition of these will do.

STOKSTAD, M. Art History.
HARTT, F. A History of Italian Renaissance Art.
SNYDER, J. Northern Renaissance Art.
RUSSELL, H. Eva/Ave: Woman in Renaissance and Baroque Prints.

http://merlin.allegheny.edu/employee/a/acarr/art330.html
This page is part of a course in progress. Last updated January 17, 2007.

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