Iconography: The Secret Language of Italian Renaissance Art Trends in Social & Global Studies Program Fall 2016 Semester - Florence

This course provides an overview of the signs and symbols that help to decipher the main artworks produced in Florence during the late 14th century until the beginning of the 16th century. The Italian Renaissance is rich in meaningful imagery, firmly rooted in both classical and Christian heritage, whose meanings and messages are not always immediately apparent.

We will begin with an introduction to iconographic methodology and the meaning of recurrent symbols, such as attributes, personifications, and allegories. Then we will investigate six specific themes by analysing images, stories, allegories, motifs associated with creation, Mary and Jesus, saints and symbols, mythology and the Gods. You will learn about the most important stories of the Bible in order to be able to read their artistic representations, and develop the visual literacy, including recognition of key characters, their epithets and attributes, their lives and natures, as well as important biblical and mythological events and concepts. You will also develop skills in verbal analysis and critical thinking through reading, discussion, and writing about artistic media, and you'll gain the ability to recognize biblical and mythological themes in high and low modern culture, including art, architecture, literature, music, and film.