ART W60. Interim in Venice: Venetian Art and Architecture

Course description:
Venice has long occupied a central role in the imagination of travelers. As a bridge between the Eastern and Western cultures of the Mediterranean, it boasts an eclectic mix of architectural styles, pictorial traditions, and culinary delights. As one of Europe's great maritime republics, the Venetian Empire was a crucial political player in the early modern period and came to inspire a rich mythology of liberty's triumph over tyranny.

This interim course will provide an in-depth study of Venetian art and architecture - from well-known buildings and collections such as St. Mark's, the Doge's Palace, and the academia to less familiar sites including the churches of Torcello, the Ca' d'Oro, and the Correr Museum. While much of our time will be spent in the city of Venice itself, we shall also visit several nearby towns including Ravenna (for early Byzantine precedents), Padua (for Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel), Vicenza (for Palladian architecture), Mantua (for the Gonzaga Palace), and Verona (for the ancient Roman Arena, churches, palaces, and gardens). Special attention will be paid to the rich heritage of travel that Venice has spawned. For in making the trip, we are following in the footsteps of an impressive array of artist and writers including Albrecht Durer, Peter Paul Rubens, Inigo Jones, John Ruskin, James Whistler, Henry James, Edith Wharton, and Thomas Mann.

We shall spend the first few days in Grand Rapids and then the last couple of weeks or so in and around Venice.

Prerequisites:
At least one art history course and permission of the instructor. This course application requires one recommendation.

Cost:
Approximately $3,253, which includes course expenses. Students are responsible for personal spending money.

Contact:
For further information, contact C. Hanson (526-7544) in the Art Department. Also,visit the Off-Campus Programs website.