Discovering Renaissance Art in Florence

Table of Contents

Description

The city of Florence – often called the “Cradle of the Renaissance” – is home to some of Western civilization’s greatest works of art and architecture.

Let’s travel through the centuries to discover masterpieces by Florence’s praised painters, sculptors, inventors, and theorists – from Giotto to Michelangelo.

Included in the program: Guided Tours and entrance to Museums such as Galleria degli Uffizi, Opera del Duomo, and others.

Topics included in the course:

  • Overview of Renaissance art and architecture in Florence and the ‘rebirth’ of beauty, truth, and wisdom;
  • Florence’s beginnings, starting with its foundation as a Roman colony;
  • The development of humanism and the progressive mindset;
  • Early Renaissance in Florence: Masters of the 14th and 15th centuries, from Cimabue to Botticelli;
  • The role of patronage in Renaissance art, the Medici family, and the Platonic Academy;
  • Late Renaissance in Florence: Art history’s famous competing geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo;
  • An introduction to Mannerism.

Learning outcomes

Participants of this course will learn to:

  • Provide historical context for topics concerning Italian Renaissance art;
  • Guide students in the interpretation of artworks in order to strengthen their visual thinking skills;
  • Lead students in art activities inspired by classical works of art.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Course introduction & precursors to Renaissance art

Course introduction

  • Introductions and presentations of participants’ schools.

Precursors to Renaissance art in Italy

  • Precursors to Renaissance art in Italy: Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic art and architecture;
  • Florence’s beginnings, from its foundation as a Roman colony to the wool trade, to the introduction of a banking network;
  • Visit San Miniato al Monte with a panoramic view of Florence. Romanesque architecture, mosaics, and Byzantine iconography.

Day 2 – Florence during the Middle Ages and the shift to naturalism

  • 14th-century Florence: The Black Death, Boccaccio, and The Decameron; Petrarch and humanism; Cimabue and Giotto;
  • Early Renaissance in Florence: Naturalism and the art of sculpture: Donatello, Brunelleschi, Ghiberti and the Gates of Paradise;
  • Visit to Basilica di Santa Croce: Cimabue, Giotto, Brunelleschi, Donatello.

Day 3 – The rediscovery of perspective

  • Drawing, painting, the rediscovery of perspective, and the chiaroscuro technique: Brunelleschi, Leon Battista Alberti, Masaccio, and Paolo Uccello;
  • Visit Basilica di Santa Maria Novella with art activity in the cloisters.

Day 4 – Neoplatonism and symbolism in art

  • Visit San Marco Museum: Michelozzo, Fra Angelico, Ghirlandaio, Girolamo Savonarola, and the campaign for Christian renewal;
  • The role of patronage in Renaissance art, the Medici Family, and the Platonic Academy. Botticelli, symbolism, and storytelling through painting;
  • Late Renaissance in Florence: Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raffaello.

Day 5 – Mannerism

  • Introduction to Mannerism with visits to the Bargello Museum and Loggia dei Lanzi;
  • Visit to Museo dell’Opera del Duomo;
  • Group brainstorming: How to incorporate Renaissance art history into classroom activities. Suggestions of low-cost art projects inspired by classical art.

Day 6 – Course closure and cultural activities

  • Course evaluation: summary of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussion;
  • Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance;
  • Final visit to the Uffizi Gallery Museum.

Confirmed Sessions

LocationStarting DateStatusEnrol
Florence23 October 2023ConfirmedBook »
Florence27 November 2023ConfirmedBook »

All Available Dates

= confirmed date

Florence

Price*: 480€

Reviews about this course

Ana Navarro Ojedafrom Spain
5 stars

I think it is one of the best courses I have made with Erasmus + It was an amazing experience. We have learned a lot about Renaissance, about being European, and the spirit of the city.

Silviya Kuncheva Dobrevafrom Bulgaria
5 stars

I learned interesting things about Italy, Florence - history, art, music, culture, food... I met a lot of wonderful people from different EU countries and made many new friends. I hope we will stay in touch with eachother. I also find amazing the educational trips organised by EuroPass to see museums, galleries... I had the wonderful opportunity to simultaneously enrich my professional knowledge and feel the spirit of Florence. I want to say thank you Sheila for your big, enormous heart!

Search for similar courses

Similar confirmed courses

Courses that cover at least one same topic.

Confirmed CourseLocationStarting DateStatusEnrolment
Cultural Heritage Education: Ancient Greece as a Case StudyAthens25 Sep 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Experiential Learning in Barcelona: Sustainable Tourism and Travel Psychology in PracticeBarcelona25 Sep 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationBarcelona2 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Active Art: Understanding and Enjoying Art in the Classroom and BeyondFlorence2 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
From STEM to STEAM Education: a New Learning ApproachAthens9 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Traditional Arts and ICT Art Tools for Teaching your Subjects and Promoting Life SkillsBarcelona9 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
German Language Course (Intermediate Level)Berlin16 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationFlorence16 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Cultural Heritage Education: Ancient Greece as a Case StudyAthens23 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Experiential Learning in Barcelona: Sustainable Tourism and Travel Psychology in PracticeBarcelona23 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Discovering Renaissance Art in FlorenceFlorence23 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationRome23 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
From STEM to STEAM Education: a New Learning ApproachAthens30 Oct 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
From STEM to STEAM Education: a New Learning ApproachBarcelona20 Nov 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationFlorence20 Nov 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Discovering Renaissance Art in FlorenceFlorence27 Nov 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationNice11 Dec 2023ConfirmedRegister here »
From STEM to STEAM Education: a New Learning ApproachBarcelona15 Jan 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
German Language Course (Intermediate Level)Berlin19 Feb 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationFlorence19 Feb 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
Traditional Arts and ICT Art Tools for Teaching your Subjects and Promoting Life SkillsRome19 Feb 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationRome26 Feb 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
German Language Course (Intermediate Level)Berlin18 Mar 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
From STEM to STEAM Education: a New Learning ApproachBarcelona15 Apr 2024ConfirmedRegister here »
Art as Therapy: Self-Expression and Special Needs in Art EducationFlorence17 Jun 2024ConfirmedRegister here »