| CODE | BLH4018 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Visual Arts: From Classical Antiquity to Contemporary | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 04 - Years 4, 5 in Modular UG or PG Cert Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Conservation and Built Heritage | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit shall provide a broad overview of the evolution of art over five millennia of human endeavor. It shall focus on the Western European and Mediterranean tradition, albeit with reference to other contexts including South America and Asia, and explore a choice of topics and themes, styles and schools, function and purpose across centuries of artistic activity. The study-unit shall also discuss value and quality as understood over time, in response to purpose and status. Culture and context shall also be discussed in detail as major catalysts contributing to the evolution of a Western European visual culture. The study-unit shall also include site visits and close encounters with works of art with a view to developing or sharpening necessary visual literacy skills that are fundamental to adequately and effectively relate, study and understand a work of art. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide a general albeit sound framework for understanding key developments in art from classical antiquity to contemporary times. It shall also introduce the essential art historical and visual culture studies terminology describing these developments over five millennia of human creative endeavor as well as equip students with the essential skills to understand the relationship between a work of art and its context. Interpretation methodologies, mainly informed by visual literacy, that are used to understand, read and interpret works of art shall also be introduced. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify and describe stylistic evolutions in Western art and if/how these relate broadly to Asian and South American artistic production; - Discuss the ways and means how history and context shape, inform and influence the manufacture of a work of art by evaluating the art historical literature and using visual literacy skills; - List and correctly use key visual arts terminology and vocabulary; - Given a case study, discuss how the values of an artwork influence decisions concerning its conservation. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Identify the stylistic character of a work of art when presented with a case study; - Assess the style, quality, and context of a work of art and prepare a critical assessment of the work; - Demonstrate critical thinking skills when evaluating a work of art first-hand and in the literature; - Establish artistic relevance and its importance when approaching the conservation and management of a work of art. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: ESSENTIAL READINGS: Gombrich, E.H., The Story of Art, Phaidon, 1995. (Available at Junior College Library) Honour H, Fleming J., The Visual Arts: A History, 6th Edition, Laurence King Publishing, 2013. (Ordered through Acquisitions portal) Hollingsworth, M., Art in World History, Giunti Editore, 2008. (Available online through UM HyDi portal) ADDITIONAL READINGS: Clark, K., The Nude: A study of ideal art, Penguin, 1985. (Available in the UM Main Library) Karmel P., Abstract Art: A global history, Thames & Hudson, 2020. West S., Portraiture, Oxford University Press, 2004. (Available online through UM HyDi portal) |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Fieldw, Ind Study, Lec, Tut, Onl L, Grp L & Semi | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2025/6. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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