ART HISTORY COURSES
Waldemar H. de Boer offers three art history courses. These are not based on plain text book lessons, but are products of the teacher's own research, filled with information of the most recent discoveries on Renaissance art in Florence. During these courses, the students will be stimulated to discuss the material with the teacher and each other.
All courses can be booked independently. As the courses are held consecutively, it is also possible to book all of them and learn all about the Renaissance period, the subsequent Mannerist period and the villa life of the Medici family.
No prior knowledge of art history is necessary to participate.
At the bottom of this page, you will find more information about the enrollment, discounts, course languages, exclusive group bookings, study abroad programs and the amount of participants.
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.
Start dates courses
7 Sep. 2010
It is also possible to book a private course on other dates.
Course fees
195 Euro pp, incl. entrance fees. Discounts indicated at the bottom of the page.
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 are 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.
Start dates courses
14 Sep. 2010
It is also possible to book a private course on other dates.
Course fees
195 Euro pp, incl. entrance fees. Discounts indicated at the bottom of the page.
Medici Villas and Gardens
(1 weekend, Sa-Su 10.30-16.30)
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 2,5 hour classroom meeting, followed by a visit to the Boboli gardens and the Bardini gardens. The next day, an excursion to the Medici villas of Poggio a Caiano, Petraia and Castello in the outskirts of Florence will take place. During the course, there will be time available for coffee and lunch breaks.
Start dates courses
18 Sep. 2010
It is also possible to book a private course on other dates.
Course fees
295 Euro pp, incl. entrance fees and transport. Discounts indicated at the bottom of the page.
Enrollment
A 30% deposit of the course fee is required to enroll. The balance is due to be paid two weeks before the start date of the course. If a student signs up less than two weeks before the start date of a course, the whole course fee will have to be paid directly.
Discounts
- 20 Euro discount pp for bookings for more than 2 people.
- 15 Euro discount pp for booking 2 courses.
- 40 Euro discount pp for booking 3 courses.
Exclusive groups and study abroad programs
On request, it is possible to organize courses for an exclusive group on other hours than scheduled. Separate courses for study abroad students or for High School programs can also be arranged for.
Language
The courses are taught in English. All courses are also offered in Dutch on other hours or other dates (see www.arthistoryflorence.com/cursusaanbod).
Classroom location
Courses will be held in the 16th century Palazzo Guadagni at Piazza Santo Spirito, at a small walking distance to all concerning monuments (view map).
Amount of participants
To secure utmost attention to all students, there is a maximum limit of 12 participants. The courses will only be held with a minimum amount of 3 participants.
