The course aims to provide students with a critical understanding of the main biblical and apocryphal sources relevant to the history of the visual arts, with particular attention to the processes of canon formation, the definition of the category of “apocrypha,” and the different status attributed to canonical, apocryphal, and para-normative texts. The course also intends to examine the themes, figures, and narrative motifs that, within biblical and apocryphal traditions, have had the greatest impact on the formation of the Christian iconographic repertoire, developing students’ ability to interpret the relationship between literary sources, exegetical traditions, and artistic production.
Expected learning outcomes according to the Dublin Descriptors.
1. Knowledge and understanding: students will acquire a critical knowledge of the main biblical and apocryphal sources relevant to the history of art, understanding the processes of canon formation, the notion of apocrypha, and the different status of canonical and para-normative texts.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of works of art, figurative cycles, and iconographic programmes, recognizing the relationship between literary sources, narrative traditions, and artistic production.
3. Making judgements: students will develop the ability to critically assess the use of biblical and apocryphal sources in the history of art, distinguishing between textual data, exegetical interpretations, iconographic traditions, and historical-cultural contexts.
4. Communication skills: students will be able to present the contents of the course clearly, using appropriate terminology and coherently discussing the relationship between text, tradition, and image.
5. Learning skills: students will acquire methodological tools useful for independently pursuing the study of biblical and apocryphal sources and of their reception in artistic production.
Expected learning outcomes according to the Dublin Descriptors.
1. Knowledge and understanding: students will acquire a critical knowledge of the main biblical and apocryphal sources relevant to the history of art, understanding the processes of canon formation, the notion of apocrypha, and the different status of canonical and para-normative texts.
2. Applying knowledge and understanding: students will be able to apply the knowledge acquired to the analysis of works of art, figurative cycles, and iconographic programmes, recognizing the relationship between literary sources, narrative traditions, and artistic production.
3. Making judgements: students will develop the ability to critically assess the use of biblical and apocryphal sources in the history of art, distinguishing between textual data, exegetical interpretations, iconographic traditions, and historical-cultural contexts.
4. Communication skills: students will be able to present the contents of the course clearly, using appropriate terminology and coherently discussing the relationship between text, tradition, and image.
5. Learning skills: students will acquire methodological tools useful for independently pursuing the study of biblical and apocryphal sources and of their reception in artistic production.
teacher profile teaching materials
Schedule: .
Classroom: Sala Riunioni Mondo Antico
Course start: .
Also available online, in synchronous and recorded mode.
The course examines the main data of the normative (Bible) and para-normative literary sources of Christians; the process of formation of the biblical canon, in its various configurations; the constitution of the category of “apocrypha” in the reflection of Christians and the variable normative status of works marked by this epithet. It illustrates and analyzes some of the most impactful themes in the figurative repertoire of such production, both canonical and apocryphal.
Other lecture materials will be provided by the teacher.
Programme
Second semester.Schedule: .
Classroom: Sala Riunioni Mondo Antico
Course start: .
Also available online, in synchronous and recorded mode.
The course examines the main data of the normative (Bible) and para-normative literary sources of Christians; the process of formation of the biblical canon, in its various configurations; the constitution of the category of “apocrypha” in the reflection of Christians and the variable normative status of works marked by this epithet. It illustrates and analyzes some of the most impactful themes in the figurative repertoire of such production, both canonical and apocryphal.
Core Documentation
La Bibbia di Gerusalemme, Bologna: EDB, 2024, ISBN 9788810821480.Other lecture materials will be provided by the teacher.
Reference Bibliography
La Bibbia di Gerusalemme, Bologna: EDB, 2024, ISBN 9788810821480.Type of delivery of the course
Reading and commentary on ancient Christian texts. Educational excursions will be organized to buildings of worship and/or catacombs and/or museums of relevant interest to the study of Christian antiquity.Attendance
Students may attend in person, remotely in synchronous mode (live streaming), or remotely in asynchronous mode (recorded lectures). In-person attendance is preferred, but not mandatory.Type of evaluation
Oral examination on the course syllabus, starting from one Jewish theme and one Christian theme proposed by the student, together with the relevant iconographic dossier.