Power, Pleasure and Prestige:
Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts
COMING SOON!
Power, Pleasure and Prestige:
Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts
COMING SOON!
Immerse yourself in the splendour and magnificence of courtly art...Italian style!
When we think of Italian Renaissance art, the famous cities of Florence, Rome and Venice are typically the first that come to mind. Despite their undoubted importance, these are only three of the many artistic centres that contributed so enormously to the flowering of the arts in Italy at this time.
In this course, we will be focusing on the regional courts of the north and their rulers who, with their hunger for novelty, love of magnificence and thirst for recognition, attracted leading artists and contributed to the richness and diversity of Italian Renaissance art.
Get ready to soak up the courtly splendour of Urbino, Ferrara and Mantua, and learn all about the culture and patronage that produced some of the period's most remarkable works of art.
Immerse yourself in the splendour and
magnificence of courtly art...Italian style!
When we think of Italian Renaissance art, the famous cities of Florence, Rome and Venice are typically the first that come to mind. Despite their undoubted importance, these are only three of the many artistic centres that contributed so enormously to the flowering of the arts in Italy at this time.
In this course, we will be focusing on the regional courts of the north and their rulers who, with their hunger for novelty, love of magnificence and thirst for recognition, attracted leading artists and contributed to the richness and diversity of Italian Renaissance art.
Get ready to soak up the courtly splendour of Urbino, Ferrara and Mantua, and learn all about the culture and patronage that produced some of the period's most remarkable works of art.
Here's how it all
breaks down...
Here's how it all breaks down...
Module 1:
THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE COURT
From about 1200 until its unification in 1861, Italy as we know it today consisted of a patchwork of city-states, including kingdoms, republican oligarchies, the Papal States and numerous courts. The princes, dukes and marquises who ruled the Italian courts typically acquired or maintained their power and wealth through military endeavours, but they were by no means simple brutes. Here, we consider the unique culture fostered by these rulers, the role of the court artist and the distinctive uses of art within this context in order to understand the intricacies and motives of courtly patronage.
Module 2: URBINO
High up in the mountains, the tiny fortress town of Urbino was an unlikely setting for one of the leading centres of the Italian Renaissance. It had no cultural history to speak of and was certainly not prosperous, but the succession of Federico da Montefeltro as Count of Urbino in 1444 marked a turning point in the town’s fortunes. In this module, we will stroll through Federico’s magnificent palace, stop by his famous studiolo and discuss some of the important artistic works he commissioned in order to understand how this immensely successful military commander used art in the pursuit of his princely ambitions.
Module 2: URBINO
High up in the mountains, the tiny fortress town of Urbino was an unlikely setting for one of the leading centres of the Italian Renaissance. It had no cultural history to speak of and was certainly not prosperous, but the succession of Federico da Montefeltro as Count of Urbino in 1444 marked a turning point in the town’s fortunes. In this module, we will stroll through Federico’s magnificent palace, stop by his famous studiolo and discuss some of the important artistic works he commissioned in order to understand how this immensely successful military commander used art in the pursuit of his princely ambitions.
Module 3: FERRARA
Ferrara was the centre of a small state, sandwiched between the dominant powers of Milan and Venice, that had been ruled by the Este family since the 13th century. Through their various efforts, the Este attracted notable humanist scholars, artists, musicians and writers to their court, which became one of the most sophisticated in Europe. By examining some of the visual imagery commissioned by members of the family, we not only learn how the Este sought to reinforce their authority and prestige, but also how they helped shape the artistic and cultural identity of Ferrara.
Module 4: MANTUA
The Gonzaga family ruled Mantua during the Renaissance. Through advantageous marriages with other princely houses, shrewd diplomatic policy and an uncanny ability to attract Europe’s leading artists to their court, they transformed Mantua into one of the most impressive of the smaller Italian city-states. In this module, we take a close look at their palaces and the works of art they commissioned, and learn about the impressive program devised by the Gonzaga in which art, architecture and statecraft merged in order to validate and glorify their rule.
Module 4: MANTUA
The Gonzaga family ruled Mantua during the Renaissance. Through advantageous marriages with other princely houses, shrewd diplomatic policy and an uncanny ability to attract Europe’s leading artists to their court, they transformed Mantua into one of the most impressive of the smaller Italian city-states. In this module, we take a close look at their palaces and the works of art they commissioned, and learn about the impressive program devised by the Gonzaga in which art, architecture and statecraft merged in order to validate and glorify their rule.
Some added treats!
Some added treats!
ENTER THE WORLD
OF THE
RULING ELITE!
For just $167 you will get instant, lifetime access to Power, Pleasure and Prestige: Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts, which includes:
1. Four modules, each approximately
60 minutes in length
2. A Reading List with recommended
resources for further study
3. A Worksheet so you can brush up
on material covered in the course
ENTER THE WORLD OF THE RULING ELITE!
For just $167 you will get instant, lifetime access to Power, Pleasure and Prestige: Art of the Italian Renaissance Courts, which includes:
1. Four modules, each approximately 60 minutes in length
2. A Reading List with recommended resources for further study
3. A Worksheet so you can brush up on the material covered in the course
LET ME KNOW WHEN THIS COURSE DROPS!
Meet your host...
Hi, I'm Anik. I'm an art historian - with a PhD from the University of Cambridge to boot! - who is crazy about all things art. It's what I love, it's what I do.
I know from personal experience that learning about art not only provides a welcome break from the hustle of everyday life, it also teaches us about history, culture and the world around us.
I'm here to share that experience, along with my expertise and passion for the subject, so that you can broaden your knowledge and unleash your inner art connoisseur!
Meet your host...
Hi, I'm Anik. I'm an art historian - with a PhD from the University of Cambridge to boot! - who is crazy about all things art. It's what I love, it's what I do.
I know from personal experience that learning about art not only provides a welcome break from the hustle of everyday life, it also teaches us about history, culture and the world around us.
I'm here to share that experience, along with my expertise and passion for the subject, so that you can broaden your knowledge and unleash your inner art connoisseur!
JOIN THE WAITLIST
