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.

Frontal lessons, with in-class PowerPoint presentations

The lectures will illustrate key moments in the development of architectural history from its origins to the 20th century. A focus will be set on the most relevant monuments built in Sicily during the Norman age: special attention will be paid to the structural features of apses and domes, their models and their relation with local and Mediterranean constructive traditions.

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

• L. Bartolini Salimbeni, C. Bozzoni et al., Lineamenti di storia dell’architettura per i corsi di storia dell’architettura, Sovera, Roma 2013 (and subsequent editions), pp. 3-687.
• P. Nuttgens, La storia dell’architettura, Phaidon, New York 2006, pp. 240-283.

B – Apses and domes in Norman Sicily: models and constructive features

• M. R. Nobile, D. Sutera (a cura di), L’abside. Costruzione e geometrie/The apse. Construction and geometry, Caracol, Palermo 2015, pp. 7-20 (M. R. Nobile, L’abside. Costruzione e geometrie: alcune riflessioni), pp. 63-82 (G. Antista, Le absidi nelle prime chiese normanne e nella cappella Palatina di Palermo), pp. 117-136 (P. Barbera, Il duomo di Palermo e le chiese siciliane del periodo normanno. Le absidi nella lettura storiografica di Enrico Calandra).

• G. Antista, Le cupole in pietra d’età medievale nel Mediterraneo (Sicilia e Maghreb), Caracol, Palermo 2016, pp. 5-58.

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.