ARTH 58 — Botticelli: Master of Renaissance Florence
Quarter: Winter
Day(s): Wednesdays
Course Format: Live Online (About Formats)
Duration: 8 weeks
Date(s): Jan 17—Mar 13
Time: 7:00—8:50 pm (PT)
Refund Deadline: Jan 19
Unit: 1
Grade Restriction: No letter grade
Tuition: $465
Instructor(s): Emanuele Lugli
Class Recording Available: Yes
Status: Open
Winter
Date(s)
Jan 17—Mar 13
8 weeks
Refund Date
Jan 19
1 Unit
Fees
$465
Grade Restriction
No letter grade
Instructor(s):
Emanuele Lugli
Recording
Yes
Open
This course will delve into the groundbreaking career of Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510), a central figure in Italian Renaissance art and a renowned painter celebrated for his iconic linear style. It will explore his world-famous paintings, such as the Primavera and The Birth of Venus, while also shedding light on his many portraits, lesser-known devotional panels, and the works he created for jousts and ephemeral events. The course will aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of Botticelli’s artistic journey within the vibrant context of 15th-century Florence—a dynamic European hub that, under Lorenzo the Magnificent’s rule (1469-92), played a significant role in international politics. We will examine the evidence surrounding Botticelli's relationship with the influential Medici family, his involvement in religious life, and his unique education, which led him to illustrate the entirety of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
This course will coincide with the “Botticelli Drawings” exhibition at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor, taking place from November 19, 2023, to February 11, 2024. This remarkable exhibition will bring together Botticelli's scattered sketches from museums and collections worldwide, offering a unique opportunity to witness their collective brilliance. By aligning with this exhibition, the course will provide a distinct chance to develop a deeper appreciation for Botticelli’s mastery of pictorial art, the historical forces that shaped his creative vision, and the artistic legacy that continues to resonate to this day. Furio Rinaldi, curator of drawings and prints at the Legion of Honor, will be a guest speaker in this course.
This course will coincide with the “Botticelli Drawings” exhibition at San Francisco’s Legion of Honor, taking place from November 19, 2023, to February 11, 2024. This remarkable exhibition will bring together Botticelli's scattered sketches from museums and collections worldwide, offering a unique opportunity to witness their collective brilliance. By aligning with this exhibition, the course will provide a distinct chance to develop a deeper appreciation for Botticelli’s mastery of pictorial art, the historical forces that shaped his creative vision, and the artistic legacy that continues to resonate to this day. Furio Rinaldi, curator of drawings and prints at the Legion of Honor, will be a guest speaker in this course.
EMANUELE LUGLI
Assistant Professor of Art History, Stanford
Emanuele Lugli teaches and writes about late medieval and early modern art. He is the author of two monographs, The Making of Measure and the Promise of Sameness and Unità di Misura: Breve Storia del Metro in Italia. His most recent book is Knots, or the Violence of Desire in Renaissance Florence. Lugli received a PhD from the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU. Textbooks for this course:
There are no required textbooks; however, some fee-based online readings may be assigned.