Western Iconography And The Cult Of Saints Lm A 2023/2024

Il corso si propone di introdurre allo studio critico della letteratura agiografica latina in una prospettiva che mette in relazione i testi e le immagini.

The course provides a general overview on Latin Christian literature which concerns the saints (hagiography) from the late antiquity to 15th century, focusing on the interplays between narrative and figurative sources (iconography), and the relevant cultural and devotional milieu. Special attention will be due to the different types of saints and their images, exploring how written and oral topoi reflect on the figurative arts.

The second part of the course will be devoted to the analysis of specific iconographic themes.

Students will be required to write a research paper which will be discussed during the oral exam. The paper will focus on a saint as he/she is represented in medieval or modern art works and will analyze his/her iconography on a comparative basis.

Bibliography:

- R. Bartlett, Why Can the Dead Do Such Great Things? Saints and Worshippers from the Martyrs to the Reformation, Princeton, 2013 [Chapters 1, 2, 3, 9, 13].

- Materials and readings provided by the instructors.

Reference books:

G. Kaftal, Iconography of the Saints in Tuscan Painting, Firenze 1952; Iconography of the Saints in the Painting of North East Italy, Firenze 1978; Iconography of the Saints in the Painting of North West Italy, Firenze 1985; Iconography of the Saints in Central and South Italian Schools of Painting, Firenze 1986.

BHL: Bibliotheca hagiographica latina antiquae et mediae aetatis, Bruxelles 1898-1901; Novum supplementum, Bruxelles 1986.

R. Giorgi, Saints in Art, Los Angeles, 2003.

Assessment methods

Students showing to be able to deeply, critically analyze texts and images and to put them in the appropriate context will be awarded with marks of excellence (28/30L). Special attention is given to the articulation with which the student presents and delivers his ideas during the interview.

Students showing only a mnemonic knowledge of the course’s materials and delivering their interview with a fairly proper language at times inappropriate will receive average marks (24/27).

A sufficient or superficial knowledge and critical understanding of the course’s material will be assessed with sufficient marks (18/23).

Training gaps, inappropriate language skills, lack of mastering the material will result into a failing grade.