HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE

The course aims to provide a basic knowledge of the history of ancient and modern architecture. The lectures will suggest the correct methodological approach to the study of the discipline and will promote understanding and the appropriate use of specific terminology. At the end of the course students will be able to recognize, describe and critically comment on architectural artifacts and be able to interpret architectural achievements in relation to particular historical, cultural, geographical, social and artistic context.

The lectures will illustrate the development of architectural history from its origins to the 20th century. This will be done by examining the most relevant movements and the emblematic monuments or buildings. A specific focus will be set on the church of St. Mary of the Admiral in Palermo (history, patronage, architectural characteristics, phases of construction, etc.) and, in particular, on its relations with architectural models of the Middle-Byzantine period.

A – Methodological tools and approaches

• B. Zevi, Saper vedere l’architettura. Saggio sull’interpretazione spaziale dell’architettura, Einaudi, Torino 2009 [prima ed. 1948], cap. 2 (pp. 21-32), cap. 4 (pp. 49-99).

B – Outline of architectural history from its origins to the twentieth century

• L. Bartolini Salimbeni, C. Bozzoni et al., Lineamenti di storia dell’architettura, Sovera, Roma 2013 [prima ed. Carucci, Roma 1978], pp. 3-687.
• P. Nuttgens, La storia dell’architettura, Phaidon, New York, 2006 [prima ed. ital. Mondadori 2001], pp. 240-283.

C – Architecture in Byzantium from the VI^th to the XII^th centuries (1 CFU)

• C. Mango, Architettura bizantina, Electa, Milano 2009 [prima ed. 1977], cap. 7 (pp. 106-138).
• S. Ćurčič, L’architettura, in E. Kitzinger, I mosaici di Santa Maria dell’Ammraglio a Palermo, Palermo 1990, pp. 27-67.
• C. Bellanca, La chiesa di Santa Maria dell’Ammiraglio (La Martorana) a Palermo, in M. Caperna, G. Spagnesi (a cura di) Architettura: processualità e trasformazione, Atti del Convegno Internazionale di Studi, Roma, 24-27 novembre 1999 (Quaderni dell’Istituto di Storia dell’Architettura, 34-39, 1999-2002), Roma 2002, pp. 189-196.

Please remember that in compliance with art 171 L22.04.1941, n. 633 and its amendments, it is illegal to copy entire books or journals, only 15% of their content can be copied.

For further information on sanctions and regulations concerning photocopying please refer to the regulations on copyright (Linee Guida sulla Gestione dei Diritti d’Autore) provided by AIDRO - Associazione Italiana per i Diritti di Riproduzione delle opere dell’ingegno (the Italian Association on Copyright).

All the books listed in the programs can be consulted in the Library.