Early Modern Art: Production and Reception

URL study guide

https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2024-2025/L_AABAMKD213

Course Objective

At the end of this course, students are expected to: 1. Have acquired knowledge and understanding of the production and reception of the visual arts in Western Europe in the early modern period (1400-1800), understood within a larger visual and cultural-historical context; 2. Have critically read, compared and analysed recent art historical research, devoted in particular to stylistic and material aspects of art objects in the early modern period; 3. Know how to apply skills related to the research, analysis, and interpretation of works of art. Skills to be developed include the critical observation of original works of art in museums, the visual determination of the most important painting and printmaking techniques, and the application of the correct terminology for the visual and iconographic analysis of works of art. In addition, students learn to recognize and do research into some important themes within iconography; 4. Be ble to critically observe, describe and research works of art on location in public institutions (such as the Rijksmuseum and the RKD-Netherlands Institute for Art History), to develop an individually chosen research perspective related to the themes of production and/or reception, and to clearly present their findings in a written paper.

Course Content

The phenomenon of the Western-European visual arts in the early modern period can largely be explained by dynamic processes of production and reception. The creation or production of works of art took place under artistic, intellectual, religious, political, or social conditions that either directly or more subtly influenced the reception of those works of art in later periods. At the same time, new developments such as the scholarly approach to art-historical research, the creation of institutions like public art museums, or the development of techniques of reproduction have added new dimensions to the reception of art in general. Therefore, understanding the production and reception of art provides the opportunity to connect the history of art works with current debates. Under the theme of production, this course provides lectures on studio practice and art theory (the design, the pursuit of illusion in art, and the role of competition), the role of the patron, and on the fragmentary character of early modern art. Under the theme of reception, attention is paid to the (historical) reputation artists, the practice of collecting and displaying art, and recent insights into the global context of early modern art. The content of the course is largely based on the (ongoing) research carried out by the lecturers. There are excursions, among others, to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, and the RKD – Netherlands Institute for Art History in The Hague.

Teaching Methods

Lectures, seminars, and excursion. The lectures and seminars of this course are offered in English only. Students following the Dutch (i.e. bilingual) track can submit all written assignments in either English or Dutch. Exceptions are multiple-choice tests, assignments with peer reviewers across language tracks, and group assignments (across language tracks).

Method of Assessment

This course comprises one written assignment (40%) and one written exam (60%). Both components have to be passed with a sufficient grade (6.0 or higher). Only components graded with an insufficient grade can be re-sit. Connection between learning objectives and assessment: Learning objective 1: written exam Learning objective 2: written exam, written assignment Learning objective 3: written exam, written assignment Learning objective 4: written assignment

Literature

A list of mandatory class literature will be published on Canvas and/or the study manual.

Target Audience

This course is compulsory for all BA MKDA students in their second year who chose Art as their specialisation, and for pre-Masters Art & Culture (KMC). It is open as an elective to other MKDA students.

Additional Information

For attendance rules, see Teaching and Examination Regulations. Students should be aware that regular attendance is necessary to pass the course.

Entry Requirements

See the Onderwijs
- en Examenregeling (OER), c.q. Teaching and Exam Regulations (TER) for MKDA.