Introductory description

This modules will look at the broader implications of art making and production in the early modern period. For Leonardo as for many other artists of the early Renaissance art ought to be considered not on a par with, but as the very foundation of science. Study will focus on the hermeneutical components inherent in the practice and theory of Renaissance art.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Leonardo’s Training and Education
Leonardo’s Treatise on Painting
Colour Theory: Shadow, Chiaroscuro, Sfumato
Experimenting with Optics and Perspective
Leonardo as Court Artist
Leonardo’s Machines
Military Engineering
Anatomical Studies
Leonardo as an Architect

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the ways art and science were interrelated in the early modern period
• Demonstrate detailed knowledge of the works studied and their contexts
• Deploy these ideas critically in relation to other forms of art
• Show a critical awareness of current debates about Leonardo
• Initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
• Ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument, using accurately specific techniques of analysis and enquiry at an appropriate level
• Familiarity with essential ICT skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others
• Ability to evaluate one’s own needs and intellectual progress
• Ability to conduct independent research and analysis
• Show understanding of diverse viewpoints
• Ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
• Ability to formulate a sustained argument
• Think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
• Sophisticated visual analysis
• Bibliographical skills at an appropriate level
• Critical analysis of cultural artefacts in their context

Indicative reading list

Reading lists can be found in Talis

Specific reading list for the module

Subject specific skills

• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the ways art and science were interrelated in the early modern period
• demonstrate detailed knowledge of the works studied and their contexts
• Deploy these ideas critically in relation to other forms of art
• show a critical awareness of current debates about Leonardo
• sophisticated visual analysis
• critical analysis of cultural artefacts in their context

Transferable skills

• initiate and sustain group discussion through intelligent questioning and debate at an appropriate level
• ability to undertake research and to write up the results in the form of a well-structured argument, using accurately specific techniques of analysis and enquiry at an appropriate level
• familiarity with essential ICT skills
• ability to collaborate effectively with others
• ability to evaluate one’s own needs and intellectual progress
• ability to conduct independent research and analysis
• show understanding of diverse viewpoints
• ability to find, select, organize and synthesize evidence
• ability to formulate a sustained argument
• think conceptually and independently at an appropriate level
• bibliographical skills at an appropriate level