Art in Context (Venice)

Module description

Venice: a medieval city and its links with Byzantium

Although tucked away at the northern corner of the Adriatic Sea, the city of Venice became one of the most important states in the Mediterranean. A rare case of a republic among kingdoms and empires, Venice built its power on trade and a flexibility to construct and shift allegiances to suit its interests. It had a complex relationship with the Byzantine Empire, developing from distant outpost to satellite city state, to ally and eventually conqueror. At the same time Venice maintained an important role as intermediary between the world of Islam and the western European states.

This module will explore the evolution and complexity of these relations through the ages, using mostly visual sources (monuments and works of art) to reconstruct a fascinatingly dense and rich story. At the same time it will also explore current debates about conservation and sustainability in one of the Mediterranean sites most affected by mass tourism and environmental problems.

Assessment details

1 x 3,000 word essay (100%)

Educational aims & objectives

Teaching Plan (provisional):

1. Introduction: Historical outline, geographical position, current problems

2. Water everywhere: the lagoon and the sea in the life and urban development of Venice

3. The origins: resources, building materials and early settlement in the lagoon

4. San Marco: a state church and public space

5. The glories of San Marco: mosaics, brass doors, the Pala d’oro

6. The Treasury of San Marco: unassessed student presentations

7. Venice after 1204: Byzantium as source of booty and inspiration

8. Residential architecture and Venetian palaces: more Byzantine connections?

9. Venetian overseas territories: the case of Cyprus

10. Essay discussion

Teaching pattern

10 x 2 hour seminar (weekly)

Module description disclaimer

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Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.