ARCHEOLOGIA E ICONOGRAFIA CRISTIANA E MEDIEVALE

Academic Year 2023/2024 - Teacher: GIULIA ARCIDIACONO

Expected Learning Outcomes

The course consists of two modules. Module A (Prof. Lucia Arcifa) aims to provide basic knowledge on Christian and medieval archeology and the main themes of archaeological research; to reflect on the methods of construction of the archaeological sources and on the complexity of the processes of historical reconstruction starting from the use of archaeological sources compared to documentary sources.

Module B (Prof. Giulia Arcidiacono) aims to illustrate the genesis, historical development and different aspects of the cult of sacred images from early Christianity to the Middle Ages. Particular attention will be paid to the relationship between iconographic themes, textual sources and historical context.

 Among the specific objectives, the course aims to make students acquire:

 - basic knowledge on the main monumental contexts, on the architectural heritage, on the themes of figurative culture in relation to the development and organization of Christian communities and the phenomena of transformation from late antiquity to the Middle Ages;

- the ability to analyze and comment independently and critically on artworks, monuments and historical phenomena, by using the appropriate vocabulary;

- the ability to highlight the close relationship between figurative images, their material support, the sacred place in which they are expressed and the textual and doctrinal sources that are at their origin;

- the ability to place monuments and figurative arts in the appropriate space-time frame and to identify their relationships with social dynamics and religious needs.

Course Structure

Lectures and guided visits to monuments and archaeological areas, with particular reference to the catacombs of Syracuse.

Attendance of Lessons

Attendance is not compulsory.

Detailed Course Content

MODULO B (prof.ssa Giulia Arcidiacono)

1.                  Iconography and Iconology

2.                  The «sign-image»

3.                  Narrative images

4.                  The Cult of Images in the Age before Iconoclasm

5.                  Medieval iconography and object-image

6.                  The ritual place and its decoration

7.                   Inventiveness and seriality of medieval images

8.                  Medieval Syracuse: holy images between East and West 

Textbook Information

MODULO B (prof.ssa Giulia Arcidiacono)

Methodology

1. C. Frugoni, Iconografia e iconologia, in Enciclopedia dell’Arte Medievale, VII, Roma, Istituto dell’Enciclopedia Italiana, 1996, pp. 282-286.

Early Christian Iconography

2-3. A. Grabar, Le vie dell’iconografia cristiana. Antichità e Medioevo, a cura di M. Della Valle, 4 edizione, Milano, Jaca Book, 2018, pp. 11-58.

The cult of images

4. E. Kitzinger, Il culto delle immagini. L’arte bizantina dal cristianesimo delle origini all’iconoclastia, Milano, 2018, pp. 27-127

Medieval Iconography

5-7. J. Baschet, L’iconografia medievale, Jaca Book, Milano 2014, rist. Milano 2019, pp. 17-86, 143-191

Syracuse in the Middle Age: holy images between East and West 

8. G. Arcidiacono, Immagini votive e narrative nelle chiese rupestri del Siracusano. Tracce e percorsi tra Oriente e Occidente, in Dalle chiese in grotta alle aree della civiltà rupestre. Gli strumenti di pianificazione territoriale, atti dell’VIII Convegno Internazionale sulla civiltà rupestre (Savelletri di Fasano, 29 novembre-1 dicembre 2018), a cura di E. Menestò, Spoleto, CISAM, 2019 (Atti dei Convegni della Fondazione San Domenico, 8), pp. 287-315

 

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.
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