Universitat Internacional de Catalunya
History of Art and Architecture
Other languages of instruction: Spanish
Teaching staff
By appointment
Introduction
The study of history of architecture is both fundamental and very useful for architects; our contemporary urban and cultural landscapes are composed of historic layers and traces of architecture from all times. We will encourage the students to study the history of art and architecture in order to think their contemporary work and design proposals. We will transmit the evolution of architectural thinking and building from early high cultures and Greece to the Illustration, the industrial revolution and the early modern age in one semester, in a not complete but solid overview: we will focus on some key moments and buildings that we consider representative of an age and crucial for understanding the evolution of the traditions of building and of the arts. And we will build connections already to contemporary architecture and current debates on the role of architecture.
Pre-course requirements
English, because the subject is taught exclusively in this language
Objectives
We want our students:
- to understand the evolution and history of architecture, art and urban structures and culture from a contemporary point of view
- to relate with architecture and urban development through the understanding of their historic development and meaning in our contemporary cultures and living environments
- to be able to recognize the different periods of the history of art and architecture in the particular city of Barcelona
- to acquire contemporary tools to analyse works of art and architecture
- to analyse the works of art and architecture both by drawing and writing
Competences/Learning outcomes of the degree programme
- 48 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the general theories of form, composition and architectural typologies
- 49 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the history of architecture.
- 54 - To acquire adequate knowledge of the aesthetics, theory and history of Fine Arts and Applied Arts.
- 66 - Ability to internalise architectural form.
- 69 - Ability to discover the critical-cultural dimension of the role of the architect
Learning outcomes of the subject
By the end of the course, students should be able to:
- Recognize the more relevant styles of architecture, sculpture and painting studied during the course
- Distinguish their most important characteristics
- Have the capacity of comparative interrelation among the distinct styles and historic languages and know how to situate them in time and in the geographic context of influence
Have the capacity to enlarge his or her knowledge beyond occident and to identify cultural diversity
and cultural expressions in cities and global contexts
- Describe and explain a building, a sculpture and a painting correctly using an appropriate terminology
- Identify the most important artists and architects of the movements and periods studied
- Distinguish master and key works of each movement, knowing the artist who created it and the century of its creation
- Be able to reflect on the course of history and its impact on the present
Syllabus
Week 1
Lecture 0- Course presentation+ introduction of research assignment+ methodology
Introduction: What is architecture? What is history and why to study history of architecture?
Week 2
Lecture 1- Between the Human and the Divine I: Mesopotamian architecture. Between the Human and the Divine II: Egyptian architecture
Practice 1- Individual exercise: self-made image of favourite building
Group distribution + choose buildings and topics
Week 3
Lecture 2- Greek architecture and urban forms I. Greek architecture and urban forms II
Field Visit 1- (Thursday) Visit to the Egyptian Museum of Barcelona.
Research submission 1-General information on the projects to compare, graphic info (floorplans, sections, elevations), first selection of photos
Week 4
Lecture 3- The evolution of Roman Architecture: Structural Systems, Typologies and Representation of Power.
Construction techniques in late Roman and early christian architecture.
Practice 2- Timeline examples. History of the city of Barcelona.
Field Visit 1(Thursday)- City walk: Roman Barcelona. Visit to the MUHBA, to the
Augustus temple remains, Roman streets, and remains of the city wall.
Sketching and graphic report of the visit.
Week 5
Lecture 4- Romanesque architecture I.From Romanesque to Gothic.
Practice 3-Research submission 1 revision.
Week 6
Practice 4- Timeline delivery 1+ sketchbook review.
Lecture 5-Byzantine architecture and the orthodox tradition.The Architecture of Islam.
Week 7
Lecture 6- Pre-columbian architecture.Architecture of China and Japan.
Field Visit 3(Thursday)-Romanesque architecture and artistic expressions: Visit of the monastery Sant Pau del Camp.Sketching and graphic report of the visit.
Research submission 2 Preliminary analysis: contextual, historical, and on the topic.
First conclusions/intuitions.Plans, sections, and elevations (at least one of each one, redrawn by you and on scale). These should be accurate drawings. First ideas about the structure of the essay and approach towards graphic analysis.
Week 8
Practice 5- Research submission 2 revision
Lecture 7-Gothic architecture and medieval cities I.Gothic architecture and medieval cities II.
Field Visit 4 (Thursday)-GOTHIC QUARTERS OF BARCELONACity walk: Gothic Barcelona. Visit of the gothic quarter and Santa María del Mar church, El Born CCM, Carrer Montcada and the cathedral.Sketching // Graphic report of the visit.
Week 9
Lecture 8- Renaissance Architecture I.Renaissance Architecture II.
Timeline delivery 2 PPT presentations with 5 images of your timeline.
Week 10
Practice 6- Timeline intermediate review+ research assignment review
Lecture 9- Rennaisance in Europe.The European colonization of the world – urban palimpsests and diffusion and merge of architectural languages
nov-19
Research submission 3- Written introduction and historical/ contextual analysis of both buildings.
Bulletpoints on the analysis of the topic and conclusions. (Feedback on the text will be provided in class)
Analitical and descriptive graphic documents of both buildings.
Week 11
Practice 7- Research submission 3 review
Lecture 10- Architecture, from theory to practice: treatises, new typologies and ideal cities.Tulane Presentations.
Week 12
Practice 8- Research assignment review
Lecture 11- Baroque I. Baroque II: Baroque culture, architecture, art and urban development in Europe and the Americas.
Week 13
Practice 9- Research assignment presentations I
Lecture 12- Enlightment, Revolution and Architecture. Classicism.The first half of the nineteenth century.
Week 14
Practice 10- Research assignment presentations II
Practice 11- Research assignment presentations III
Week 15
Practice 12- Final submissions: sketchbooks+ timeline + research dossier (21:00h)
Lecture 13-Final review+ exam explanation
January- Exam
Teaching and learning activities
In person
- The class will be theoretical and practical.
- The theoretical part of the class is based on lectures, focusing on a specific period or cultural tradition in the history of art and architecture.
- The practical part will be divided in two parts; students should do an individual notebook and a research exercise (in team work) on relevant architectural works according to given frames of analysis in a comparative way.
- Relevant field visits complete the course, as on-site observation is fundamental for the understanding of historic buildings in a contemporary context.
- The notebook should contain drawings of the different periods, notes from the lectures adding information, sketches, prints, maps, etc., historical and graphic report of the site visits.
- The research exercise (40% of the final mark) consists of the comparison of two buildings from different historical periods or cultural traditions, related by means of a theme. This research will take the form of a written work which will include the plans of the buildings redrawn by the students, as well as other more analytical graphic documentation. All research exercises will be presented in class. To this end, intermediate sessions will be held to review and critique the materials provided by the students.
- In addition, and accounting for 10% of the overall mark for the course, students are asked to create (individually) a timeline of the main buildings, architects, historical periods and styles studied in class.
| TRAINING ACTIVITY | COMPETENCES | ECTS CREDITS |
|---|---|---|
| Class exhibition | 48 49 54 | 1,5 |
| Class participation | 48 49 54 | 0,2 |
| Clase practice | 48 49 54 | 1,1 |
| Tutorials | 48 49 54 | 0,2 |
| Individual or group study | 48 49 54 | 3 |
Evaluation systems and criteria
In person
- Class notes and sketchbook participation and performance in class (10%)
- Research exercise and oral presentation in class (Groups 2/3 people) (40%)
- Written final exam (January) (40%). In order for the exam to count in the final mark, the studet will at least have to have a 4/10 in the exam.
- Timeline (individual) (10%)
- The continuous use of the Moodle is mandatory.
- The evaluation process is based on the personal work of the student and presupposes the authenticity of authorship and the originality of the exercises realised
- It will qualify as suspense if a lack of originality is detected in the authorship of any activity or submission to be evaluated, if materials have been utilised without authorization, or copied and pasted from internet sources, manuals or articles (without the corresponding citation), or from other students.
Bibliography and resources
In order to complete their notes and to prepare the final exam, the students are strongly encouraged to get the following books.
Ingersoll, R., Kostof, S.: World Architecture. A cross-cultural history. Oxford University Press,2013.World architecture: a cross-cultural history. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2013 (COAC: S-72.03 ING). Available online: https://archive.org/details/richard-ingersoll-world-architecture-a-cross-cultural-history
Watkin, David. A History of Western Architecture.London: Laurence King Publishing. (6th edition,2015 or 5th edition,2011).
Further reading:
General Art and Architectural History Books:
Bacon, E., Design of the Cities, London: Thames & Hudson, 1982.
Benevolo, L., El diseño de la Ciudad, Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1977.
Benevolo, L., Storia della città, Bari: Ed. Laterza, 1975.
Blaser, W., Drawings of Great Buildings, Birkhäuser Verlag, 1983.
Ching, F. D.K., Jarzombek, M., Prakash, V. A Global History of Architecture. Wiley, 2017. (COAC: S-72.03 CHI).
Fletcher, B., The History of Architecture by the comparative Method. Batsford, London, 2012.
Frampton, K., Historia crítica de la arquitectura moderna, Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1993.
Hall, P., Cities in Civilization, London, Weidenfeld & Nicholson, 1998.
Giedion, S., The Eternal Present: the beginnings of art. Bollingen Foundation, New York, 1962.
Gombrich,E.H. The Story of Art.Londres: Phaidon, 1968.
Kostof, S., Historia de la arquitectura. Madrid: Alianza (vol 1, 2, 3), 1998.
Kostof, S., The City shaped: urban patterns and meanings through history. London: Thames & Hudson, 1991.
Parker, J. H., Classic dictionary of architecture: a concise glossary of terms used in Grecian, Roman,Italian and Gothic architecture. New Orchard, Poole, 1986. (COAC: S-D 72 PAR).
Pevsner, N., An Outline of European Architecture. Thames & Hudson, London, 2009.
Pevsner, N., Pevsner's architectural glossary. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2010 (COAC: S-D72 PEV).
Pevsner,N. A history of building types.Priceton:Princeton University Press, 1997.
Stierlin, H., Encyclopedia of World Architecture. Fribourg: Evergreen-Taschen, 1977.
Books on a specific period, architectural tradition, or author:
Argan, G.C., Brunelleschi. Mondadori, Milan, 1955.
Argan, G.C., Renacimiento y Barroco, Akal, Torrejón de Ardoz 1987 (COAC: S-7034 (45) ARG-2V.2)
Argan, G.C., Michelangelo architect. Electa, Milan, 2004 (COAC: 72 MIQUEL ÀNGEL).
Blunt, A., Borromini. A. Lane, London 1979.
Blunt, A., Art and Architecture in France 1500-1700. Yale University Press, New Haven, 1999.
Borsi, F., Bernini. Ed. Akal, Madrid, 1998.
Brothers, C., Michelangelo, drawing and the invention of architecture. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2008.
Carver, H., North African Villages. Documan Press, Kalamazo, 1989.
Carver, H., Form and Space of Japanese Architecture. Shokokusha, Tokyo, 1955 (COAC: S-72.032.12 CAR).
Denyer, S., African traditional architecture: an historical and geographical perspective. Africana, New York, 1978 (COAC: S-72.031.6 DEN).
Early, J., The Colonial architecture of Mexico. University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque, 1994 (COAC: S-72.034(72) EAR).
Eisenman, P., Palladio virtuel. Yale University Press, New Haven, 2015 (COAC: D-43951).
Fanelli, G., Brunelleschi’s Cupola: Past and Present of an Architectural Masterpiece. Mandragora, Florence, 2004.
Frankl, P., Gothic Architecture. Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 2000 (COAC: S-72.033.5 FRAU).
Hayden, D., Building Suburbia. Pantheon Books, New York, 2003.
Heyden, D. and P. Gendrop, Pre-columbian architecture of Mesoamerica. New York, Harry N.Abrams, 1975 (COAC: D-5083).
Martienssen, R. D., The idea of space in Greek architecture, with special reference to the Doric temple and its setting. The Witwatersrand University Press, Johannesburg, 1954.
Museu d’Historia de Barcelona MUHBA (ed.), La Barcelona gòtica. Museu d'Història de la Ciutat, Institut de Cultura de Barcelona, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Barcelona, 1999 (COAC: S-9(467.1 BAR).
Popkin, M.L., Architecture of the Roman Triumph. Cambridge University Press, 2016 (COAC: D- 44466)
Puig i Cadafalch, J., L’arquitectura romànica a Catalunya, Ed. Base, Barcelona 2016.
Robertson, D.S., Greek and Roman Architecture. Cambridge University Press, 1974 (COAC: D-20804).
Ruschi, P., Michelangelo architetto a San Lorenzo, Mandagora, Firenze, 2007.
Schapiro, M., Romanesque Art. Selected Papers, George Braziller, New York, 1977.
Scott, G., The Architecture of Humanism; A Study in the history of Taste, Houghton Mifflin Company,Boston and New York, 1914.
Stierlin, H., Islam: Early architecture from Bagdad to Cordoba. Taschen, Cologne, 1996.
Senseney, J.R., The art of building in the classical world: vision, craftsmanship, and linear perspective in Greek and Roman architecture. Cambridge University Press, 2016 (COAC: D-40334).
Tadgell, C., Early medieval Europe: the informal contained. Ellipsis, London, 2001 (COAC: D-25968).
Trager, P., The villas of Palladio, Little, Brown, Boston, 1986.
Travenor, R., On Alberti and the art of Building, Yale University Press, New Haven, London, 1998.
Whitehill, W.M., Spanish Romanesque architecture of the eleventh century. Oxford, Oxford University Press, 1968. (COAC: D-8627)
Wilson Jones, M., Principles of Roman Architecture. Yale University Press, New Haven, London,2000 (COAC: 72.032.7 JON).
Worringer, W., Form Problems of the Gothic, G.E. Stechert & Co., New York, 1910.
Architectural theory:
Alberti, L.B., The ten books of architecture. Dover, New York, 1986 (COAC: D-5134).
Rowe, C., The mathematics of the ideal villa and other essays, MIT Press, Cambridge, 1976 (COAC: 72(04) ROW-4).
Ruskin, J., The stones of Venice. Little, Brown & Company, Boston and Toronto, 1981.
Rykwert, J., The idea of a Town. The Anthropology of Urban Form in Rome, Italy and the Ancient World. Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1976 (COAC: D-1340).
Summerson, J., El lenguaje clásico de la arquitectura. Barcelona: Gustavo Gili, 1984 [1963].
Wittkower, R., Architectural principles in the age of humanism. Academy Editions, London, 1998 (COAC: D-23143).
Zevi, B., Saber ver la arquitectura: ensayo sobre la interpretación espacial de la arquitectura.Poseidon, Buenos Aires, 1971.