Renaissance Decorative Arts Course
From Utility to Luxury: Decorative Arts of The Renaissance
- Date/time:
- 26 April 2011 - 24 May 2011
Tuesdays 10.45am - 12.45pm - Venue:
- 1 Berkeley Street, London W1J 8DJ
- Lecturer:
- Jim Harris
- Fees:
- Full course £150.00
Single lecture £35.00
Whereas traditional art history has centred on painting, sculpture and architecture, the so-called 'decorative' or 'applied' arts are the focus of renewed interest.
In this detailed series of lectures we'll explore the techniques, varied contexts and meanings of Renaissance Decorative Arts. And we'll discover why, for religious communities, items such as metal reliquaries were imbued with sacred importance and how, in a domestic setting, richly decorated possessions were indicators of wealth and standing.
Course outline
26 Apr 2011 Introduction
An introduction to decorative arts; workshop practices; and techniques of furniture, metalwork, maiolica and textiles.
03 May 2011 Decorative arts in the ecclesiastical context
We will focus on liturgical apparatus and church furnishings, examining in particular the ways in which 'decorative' and 'fine' arts were used together in the Franciscan churches of Santa Croce in Florence, the Frari in Venice and the Santo in Padua.
10 May 2011 Decorative arts in the domestic context
Cassoni, tapestries and porcelain were an important part of any domestic interior. This lecture will also look at the decorated studioli of Urbino and Gubbio.
17 May 2011 Influences from the East
Islamic designs in Renaissance decorative arts: we will assess the importance of trade with the East, especially the use of geometric patterns in furniture and textiles.
24 May 2011 Decorative Arts in Renaissance painting
This lecture will concentrate on decorative arts portrayed in Renaissance painting, for instance the so-called 'Lotto' carpets. As a conclusion, we will assess the status of decorative arts both in the Renaissance and modern art history.