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Course details
Semester 1
Velázquez in context (HIAR10078)
Subject Area
History of Art
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.
Credits
20
Course level
SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate)
Course description
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, theplaywright 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.
Timetable
View the timetable and assessment information for this course
Course delivered by
College of Humanities and Social Science
Edinburgh College of Art
This article was published on Feb 24, 2012