Roman Baroque Art 2025/2026

SYLLABUS

Università degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata

Course:Roman Baroque Art ARTE-01/B - 804002230

Instructor:Prof. Guendalina Serafinelli

Class Schedule:10 November – 16 December 2025

Class time:

Mon. 13:00-15:00 T18; Tues. 16:00-18:00 T28; Thrus. 16:00-18:00 T18

E-mail:guendalina.serafinelli@uniroma2.it

Description:

Devoted to Baroque art and architecture, this introductory course places primary emphasis on major artists, artistic movements, monuments and principle works of art produced in the city of Rome between the end of the sixteenth century and the seventeenth century.

By considering the fundamentals of art history through formal, iconographical and theoretical analysis, the course will investigatethe historical, social and religious contexts in which the works of art were made, the continuation and transformation of ideals, the role of patrons and that of the artist, including women painters, in the society.

Objectives of the Course:

The course is intended to promote the following skills and abilities:

• To increase your visual literacy
• To understand art as a means of communication that embodies the beliefs and distinct qualities of a culture
• To help you understand the processes and materials of artistic production
• To give you a vocabulary and awareness of the methodologies for discussing the visual arts
• To understand the foundational concepts and theories in art history
• To expand high-level skills of empirical observation as well as visual and symbolic analysis of works of art, architecture and urban spaces, including the ability to identify the characteristics of Baroque style
• To recognize and critically discuss the aesthetical contents of a work of art as a formal structure and in relation to the social, historical,and cultural contextsin which it was created
• To develop critical thinking and ability to clearly articulate persuasive ideas as well as original interpretations by demonstrating an array of critical approaches to the study of art history and visual culture

In order to ascertain whether or not the above goals are met, you will be expected to do the following things:

• Learn to recognize and identify works of art and buildings from the periods being studied and to be able to discuss their style and most importantly their cultural context
• Learn a sense of historical and cultural development, incorporating time and geography
• Learn to identify different artistic media and techniques used by artists, including their advantages and limitations
• Write clearly, using correct terminology and vocabulary
• Participate actively in class

In order that all students have a fair chance to complete and succeed in the course, it is essential that the following be observed:

• Students are expected to complete all readings and assignments by the dates indicated on the Syllabus 
• The consent to record the instructor’s lectures can be given only for disability accommodations (required by law)
• Students are expected to participate to the best of their ability in class, and to perform to the best of their ability on all assignments, whether in-class or homework. If students experience difficulty, they should feel free to contact the professor by telephone, e-mail, or an in-person appointment
• Students are encouraged to work cooperatively, but each student must do his or her own work. Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will be reported to the Dean’s Office.

Reading assignments

The readings for this class and the PowerPoint slideshows with the images discussed over the course will be provided by the Professor via the dedicated FB page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/407327523962267/..

• Anne Sutherland Harris, Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2005): Ch. 1 (pp. 1-141).

Videos to watch online:

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/contarelli-chapel.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/caravaggio-matthew.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/crucifixion-of-st.-peter.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/Bernini-David.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/pluto-and-proserpina.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/berninis-apollo-and-daphne.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/bernini-ecstasy-of-st.-theresa.html

http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/il-gesu-rome.html

Class schedule:

DATE

TOPICS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Mon. 10 Nov

Classroom lecture: Introduction to the course; Women artists

Tue. 11 Nov.

Classroom lecture: Caravaggio

Th. 13 Nov

Classroom lecture: Caravaggio- Public commissions

Mon. 17 Nov.

Classroom lecture: The Carracci Academy

Tue. 18 Nov.

Classroom lecture: Annibale Carracci

Th. 20 Nov.

NO CLASS. THE PROFESSOR PARTICIPATES IN AN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

Mon. 24 Nov.

Classroom lecture: Baroque Classicism – Guido Reni, Francesco Albani, Domenichino, Guercino

Tue. 25 Nov.

Classroom lecture: Caravaggism

 Th 27 Nov.

Classroom lecture: Caravaggism

Mon. 1 Dec.

Classroom lecture: Andrea Sacchi and Pietro da Cortona

Tues. 2 Dec.

Classroom lecture: Gian Lorenzo Bernini

Mon. 4 Dec.

Classroom lecture: Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the Triumph of the Baroque

Mon. 8 Dec.

NO CLASS- NATIONAL HOLIDAY

Tue. 9 Dec.

On-site class: Santa Maria del Popolo, San Luigi dei Francesi, Sant’Agostino

Santa Maria della Vittoria, Chiesa del Gesù

Thurs. 11 Dec.

GROUP WORK

Mon. 15 Dec.

GROUP WORK

Th. 16 Dec.

FINAL EXAM (written)

The written final exam is optional. Students who accept the grade simply need to attend on the scheduled exam day, where the Professor will record their grade, and they will sign to confirm. Those who do not accept the grade may retake the exam in oral form to potentially improve their results.

FINAL EXAM WRITTEN (16 DECEMBER 2025)

This course requires an in-depth understanding of the following reading and the PowerPoint slideshows (available on our Fb page):Anne Sutherland Harris, Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2005): Ch. 1 (pp. 1-141).

The final written exam consists of a multiple-choice questionnaire, a brief description of a work of art we studied in class that the professor will project, including its history and context, and finally the creation of a social media post to promote a Baroque artwork to a target audience a at your choice. In-class exercises will be conducted to prepare for the exam.

1. Multiple-Choice Questions: You will answer 5 multiple-choice questions about the artists Caravaggio, Carracci, and Bernini. These questions will be based on what we study in class and the reading assignment.
2. Description of a Work of Art: You will choose one artwork by Caravaggio, Carracci, or Bernini that we study in class before the exam. You will describe it in detail during the exam (The Dec. 11th lecture will be dedicated to preparing for this part).
3. Social Media Post: Before the exam, you will prepare a post for social media about a Baroque artwork of your choice (The Dec. 15th lecture will be dedicated to preparing for this part).

FINAL EXAM ORAL (for non-attending students and for those who will not be taking the written exam)

This course requires an in-depth understanding of the following reading and the PowerPoint slideshows (available on our Fb page):Anne Sutherland Harris, Seventeenth-Century Art and Architecture (Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice-Hall, 2005): Ch. 1 (pp. 1-141).

The students will be able to discuss key Baroque artists (in particular Caravaggio, Annibale Carracci and Bernini), their styles, and the socio-political contexts influencing their works. Students should be able to discuss major figures, such as Caravaggio and Bernini, and explain how their artistic choices reflect the era’s dynamic shifts in technique, patronage, and religious themes. Analysis of individual works will be expected, emphasizing stylistic elements and innovations within 17th-century Italian art.