The Early Renaissance in Florence (1400 to 1495) saw a blossoming of master artists who created masterpieces that laid the foundations for the High Renaissance and beyond. Goldsmiths, sculptors, architects and painters, drawing on the classical past, reinterpreted the world in works that drew and inspired artists and art lovers to Florence from England to Russia.
The first two lectures focus on the Baptistery of Florence. Andrea Pisano created the first set of doors while Lorenzo Ghiberti created the second and third sets.
Filippo Brunelleschi’s creation of the dome for the Duomo of Florence (formally the Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), the Basilica of San Lorenzo and the Old Sacristy are the focus of the third presentation.
The fourth and fifth lectures focus on sculpture: Donatello’s works and innovations, including the David, the Cantoria and the Pulpits for San Lorenzo, and works by Jacopo della Quercia, Luca della Robbia, and Desiderio de Settignano.
JUSTIN NEWELL, art historian and artist, has lectured extensively on Western painting, sculpture and architecture, the Bible in Western art and Greek myths in art at many post-secondary institutions, as well as aboard leading cruise lines. Justin also leads art history tours to Venice, Florence, Rome, Paris, London and other art centres of the world, and weaves his knowledge of history, art, political events and famous sights into his presentations.
Course Format
This course is offered in-person at the UBC Vancouver campus.