Art History Courses in Florence, Italy

Waldemar H. de Boer, PhD. Art History Expert in Florence:
We have the perfect solution for people who would like to visit Florence in the north of Italy and learn about its art treasures, but only have a couple of days time. The expert Waldemar H. de Boer offers short art history courses (3 days) and lectures in the beautiful Palazzo Guadagni at Piazza Santo Spirito.

Art History Courses:
Early and High Renaissance in Florence (3 days, Tue-Thu 9.00-12.15):
The Renaissance in Florence is one of the most intriguing cultural manifestations in Western history, in which religion, philosophy, economy, humanism and politics played an important part in the development of painting, sculpting and architecture. This course offers an introduction to the changes and progressions in art in this period. Key artists, such as Filippo Brunelleschi, Masaccio, Donatello and Sandro Botticelli, will be discussed. Next to that, attention will be paid to art patrons, like Cosimo and Lorenzo De' Medici, and the artists' daily life in this magnificent era.

Course days start with a 1,5 hour classroom meeting, followed by site visits to the historic center (Piazza del Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and Ponte Vecchio), the Uffizi, the Museum dell'Opera del Duomo (to see Lorenzo Ghiberti's original bronze doors) and the church of Santa Maria Novella.

Late Renaissance and Mannerism in Florence (3 days, Tue-Thu 9.00-12.15):
This is a course about the period of time in which the most important aim of Renaissance artists is achieved: to imitate nature as flawless as possible. Masterworks by Michelangelo, Raphael and Da Vinci will be part of the program, but also highly talented later artists like Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo and Benvenuto Cellini will be discussed. Not all of them thought it was necessary to copy nature; some other interesting tendencies were developed in the first half of the sixteenth century.

Course days start with a 1,5 hour classroom meeting, followed by site visits to Palazzo Vecchio, Palazzo Pitti, the Medici Chapels and the church of San Lorenzo.

Medici Villas and Gardens (3 days / day 1 and 2: 9.00-12.00, day 3: 9.00-16.00):
In the 15th century, a revival of ancient Roman villa culture took place in Tuscany. Renaissance country estates started to cover the campagna, to escape from the hectic city life, to unwind, to go hunting, to organize social events or even to discuss philosophy, art and science. This course is concentrated on the intriguing villa life of the Medici family. Their villas were not only a statement of wealth and power. With the help of paintings, sculptures and complex garden architecture, they were also used to convey specific messages to their guests.

The first course day starts with a 3 hour classroom meeting (with break). On the second day, the Boboli gardens and the Bardini gardens will be explored. The course will end with an excursion day to the Medici villas of Poggio a Caiano, Petraia and Castello.

Art History Lectures:
Waldemar H. de Boer organizes various lectures in Florence, but his "class" about the Skyline of Florence at the stunning terrace of the Antica Torre di Via Tornabuoni has to be mentioned first. This highly enjoyable lecture concentrates on the development of the monuments that determine that mystical view on the city, such as the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio and the Forte di Belvedere. Learn about the changing shape of the city, standing on this spacious terrace with a refreshing drink, without being troubled by tourist crowds. This 1,5 hour lecture is available during the day or in the evening, when the city is sparkling with light.

Furthermore, it is also possible to ask for lectures at the beautiful Palazzo Guadagni at Piazza Santo Spirito or at any another location in or near Florence.

Here is a list of a couple of the many lecture themes:
# The Renaissance of Art in Florence
# The Workshop of the Renaissance Artist
# Michelangelo and the Medici Chapels
# The Masterpieces of Leonardo and Michelangelo in Palazzo Vecchio
# Last Suppers in Florence
# Medici Villas and Gardens
# Ceramics in Renaissance Florence