GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF THE COURSE

This course, based on two different parts, theory and practice, is an introduction to art in Spain over the past five hundred years, focusing on certain key topics and periods that help to map out the particular nature of Spanish artistic culture. Special emphasis will be placed on the works of artists as Velázquez, Goya, Picasso, Miró and Dalí. This course includes visits to the Prado Museum, and the Museo Reina Sofía.

EVALUATION

33% oral participation in class
33% taskwork and tests
34% final exam/presentation

CONTENTS

1. Introduction: Introduction and presentation of the course. Looking at paintings: the analysis of a picture.

2. Basic artistic elements: light and color; volume and perspective; visual perceptions.

SECTION 1: THE ART OF THE MIDDLE AGES AND THE RENAISSANCE

3. Spanish Medieval art: an overview.
General aspects of the Romanesque art
General aspects of the Gothic art

4. The Renaissance in painting.
General characteristics of the period in Europe
Fundamental characteristics of Renaissance art in Spain
El Greco: religious paintings and portraits

SECTION 2: THE ART OF THE 17TH CENTURY

5. The Baroque period
The new concepts in art. Introduction to the Baroque painting: the works of Caravaggio
Basic characteristics of the Baroque painting in Spain: the influence of Titian and the School of Florence

6. The Golden Age of Spanish art
An overview of the works of Ribera, Murillo and Zurbarán
Class at the Prado Museum (I)
Velázquez:
Official portraits and Historic works
Customs and mythology

SECTION 3: ART UNTIL IMPRESSIONISM. THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURIES

7. The Neoclassic period
The new tendencies in architecture, sculpture, and painting
Goya:
Tapestries and popular topics
Portraits and historic works
Prints and the Black period
Class at the Prado Museum (II)

8. The 19th century
Basic trends of the new artistic movements: Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism
The works of Zuloaga, Sorolla, and Romero de Torres

SECTION 4: MODERN ART

9. The 20th century (I)
An overview of the new artistic trends: Neo-Impressionists, Symbolists, Expressionists, and Dadaists.
Art Nouveau and Modernism: new approaches to art in Europe and Spain

10. The 20th century (II)
Cubism: Picasso Abstract art: the works of Saura, Zobel and Tapies
Surrealism: Miró and Dalí
Class at the Museo Reina Sofía