Art History

This course concerns the architectural and urban heritage of Fustat - Cairo from 641 CE to the present. It introduces Islamic architecture and the major architectural works of Cairo from the introduction of Islam to the present day. With reference to the historical and social contexts, the course also considers how and why Islamic architecture changed in Cairo over the centuries, and deepen understanding of the culture in which students live and share with the Islamic world. The assignments provide an opportunity to learn how art historians think and argue with one another, and develop perceptual abilities, research, presentation skills, and critical thinking.

This course introduces the history of design in Italy from the post-war period to the present day and explores the connection between design and the rebuilding of Italy and the Italian economy, following the devastations of World War II. The link between Italian design and Italian identity, and the concept of ‘Made in Italy’, is explored through the study of design in different areas, including fashion, objects, transport, and furniture. By looking at the impact of Italian design outside of Italy and the emergence of global companies, including the main fashion houses, the course leads students to understand the importance of design both as part of the Italian economy and as a lens through which the world views Italy. Finally, through visits, lectures, case studies analyzed through a cross-cultural lens, and in-class discussions, the course builds awareness and inspires creativity for new projects in an ever-changing world and society, with an eye on sustainability, ethics, design justice, and life cycle assessment in today’s market. 

This course examines a new topic in modern art each time it is offered. Visit the Bocconi University course catalog for the current course topic. In spring 2023-24, the course focused on the visual representation of the human body in art. The course studies the visual representations of the human body in many guises: aesthetic, political, social, cultural, and erotic among others. It analyses the different strategies that artists deployed to develop rhetorics of the body both physical and emotional. This course proposes a dynamic approach of the body in art considered as a focus of a composition, an object of investigation, a locus of gender and racial understanding, a vehicle for physical and emotional experience, the cornerstone of our creative power and ability.  Students learn to visually and historically analyze works of art from various periods, the human body being the basis of visual representations and an object of aesthetic investigation; understand and be able to deploy in their own words major theoretical approaches used to interpret works of art; discuss the relationships between the real and the represented body through works of art conceived as the occasion, the site, and the condition of a process of historical, social and cultural construction.  The course includes visits to local museums, namely the Pinacoteca di Brera and the Museo Poldi-Pezzoli.

This course examines Spanish culture and society today through a study of its history and art. Topics include: Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Metal Age; Iberians and Celts; Roman Empire; Visigoths; Islam and Al Andalus; Christian kingdoms; late Middle Ages and Catholic Monarchs; empire of Charles I; Bourbons in Spain; Enlightenment; colonization and independence of American colonies; first and second republics; Franco dictatorship and transition to democracy; Spain and the European Union.

This course takes a loosely chronological approach to global moments of encounter, challenge, resistance, and transformation over the past 500 years. It looks closely at political events, and views them through images and objects, manifestos and interventions. The course pays attention to issues of propaganda, resistance, civil rights, protest, and crisis. We take care to address contemporary transformations happening in museum and gallery spaces due to issues of equity, race, gender, culture and class. 

This course focuses on Spanish Baroque art of the 17th and 18th centuries through the analysis of works of art, the artists, and their relationships to their patrons and contemporary culture.

Students explore a range of different types of painting from a number of different cultural traditions, geographical, and historical contexts. They consider the ethical questions that arise through the global trade in different pigments and supports. Adopting a transhistorical approach, they also examine the possibilities and challenges these materials present for makers and conservators. One key theme is the issue of representation itself and how this is achieved through the medium of paint, as well as how the viewer interprets the painted surface.

This course discusses the various creative fields in which Barcelona has been a pioneer. Topics include: urban design, art, culture, design and fashion, theater, dance, music.

This course introduces the culture of Japanese gardens, focusing on the main philosophical values, styles, aesthetics, and landscape design principles through history. By doing specific activities, writing assignments and oral presentations, the course increases knowledge and the meaning of what has been learned from interactions and shared experiences. Comparisons with historical gardens examples in other cultures and a study-tour to relevant Japanese gardens located inside or around Kyoto City are planned to strengthen final debates and discussions as well as to help the formation of group research projects for final evaluation. 

Students will use brushes, washi paper, mineral pigments, and gold leaf used in Japanese paintings, as well as the brushes and glue used for mounting, and finish their works. You can learn about the texture of paints and base materials, the fun and difficulty of classical techniques, and the structure of works, which cannot be learned just by looking at art works at galleries and museums. 
In the first half of the class, students will complete ink reproductions of classic Japanese paintings. In the second half, you will complete your original work on a fan using various paints used in Japanese paintings. Let's have fun learning together and creating works that are full of originality using variety of Japanese painting materials.