ARTH 400 - Advanced Seminar in Art Historical Method: Ritual and Art: Anthropological Approaches to Late Medieval and Renaissance Art

• J - 9:00-11:30
• EV-3.760
• INSTRUCTOR: DR. STEVEN STOWELL
  

Historians of medieval and Renaissance art have long made use of anthropological literature in order to shed light upon the social uses and importance of images in these periods. The emphasis given to the complex social networks and rituals within which art objects were created and used in these periods makes anthropological literature, with its attention to ritual, exchange, and kinship (among other things) highly relevant to the study of medieval and Renaissance art. This course will explore a range of anthropological approaches to the study of late medieval and Renaissance art, with particular emphasis on the arts in Italy. Some of the themes will include, though not be limited to: the use of art in rituals; art, exchange and gift-giving; art and time; the agency of art and miraculous art objects; art objects for remembrance and giving thanks; etc. The seminar setting will permit in-depth discussion, as well as for students to prepare a focused research paper.