Undergraduate Course: Velázquez in context (HIAR10078)
Course Outline
| School | Edinburgh College of Art |
College | College of Humanities and Social Science |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | This course aims to give students an understanding of the career of Velázquez as painter, courtier and agent to Philip IV in the context of 17th century Spanish culture. His entire oeuvre is examined, from his early still life paintings and religious works dating from his period in Seville to his final great works at the court of Philip IV in Madrid. While focus is on Velázquez, the course does not consider his work in isolation: the contributions Velázquez made to all genres of painting (still-life, portraiture and history painting) invites comparison with other artists (including non-Spanish painters), such as Aertson, Beuckelaer, Antonis Mor, Titian, Tintoretto and Rubens. Velázquez= innovative approaches to painting inevitably demand consideration of theoretical writings (for instance by Pacheco, Carducho or Boschini). The course is interdisciplinary in the sense that dynamics between poetry, theatre, music and the visual arts at the Spanish court, as practiced by Velázquez, are explored. One seminar concentrates on the dialogue between the poets Gongora and Quevedo, the playwright Calderón de la Barca and Velázquez. We also consider the role of music and instruments in Velázquez= work. Velázquez= special relationship with Philip IV and his role as agent, who selects and purchases works of art on behalf of the King, are addressed in a separate seminar. The subject of patronage and the artist=s status is revisited in a seminar dedicated to Velázquez= chef d=oeuvre Las Meninas. This painting in particular stimulates critical discussion on different methodological approaches to Velázquez= art. The final sessions consider Velázquez in relation to French and British nineteenth-century painting and the impact the artist made on the art of the 20th century with particular reference to Picasso. |
| Course description |
Not entered
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Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | Visiting students should have at least 3 History of Art courses at grade B or above (or be predicted to obtain this). We will only consider University/College level courses. |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
- Knowledge of the development of the career of Velázquez
- Connoisseurship of Velázquez work: visual and analytical skills to date and identify a work by Velázquez, or in the manner of Velázquez
- Understanding and awareness of the cultural and historical context in Spain during the Golden Age; ability to place and consider Velázquez= career within this context.
- Comprehension of the dynamics between an artist and his patrons in early modern Europe.
- Understanding of Velazquez= influence on later artists
- Critical engagement with scholarship on Velázquez and the different methodological approaches to his work
- Ability to make connections between art history and other disciplines
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Claudia Hopkins
Tel: (0131 6)50 4118
Email: |
Course secretary | Mrs Sue Cavanagh
Tel: (0131 6)51 1460
Email: |
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