VART 220 - Study of Art History in Rome

CR: 3
Prerequisite: A brief interview with the instructor. This three-week course begins in the classroom at Sweet Briar and then spends approximately two week in Rome, Italy. Our time in Rome will be akin to an art historical survey, a compressed Art History 101. The class will visit archaeological sites (Ostia Antica), ancient sites (Nero’s Golden Palace and the Ara Pacis), and many medieval monuments (Santa Maria Antiqua, Santa Sabina, Santa Prassede). We will study the Renaissance art of Rome, specifically that which is in the collections of the Vatican Museums, and the Baroque masterpieces of Caravaggio, Bernini, and the Caracci. Through our experiences we will learn about the significance of Rome over time, and how its influences have shaped our understanding of history and art.