European Studies 255 - Michelangelo

(Offered as ARHA 255 and EUST 255.)  A monographic course designed to allow the study in some depth of Michelangelo’s accomplishments as a painter, sculptor and architect, as well as a preliminary exploration of his poetry.Serious attention will be paid to establishing a credible and coherent biography of the artist, who carefully shaped – in fact invented – many details of his life story, promoting the image of himself that he wanted posterity to have. His fictional autobiography is one of Michelangelo’s most successful and durable creations and the course offers, as well as the chance to study the breadth of his achievement, the opportunity to develop skill at determining what is real in a welter of conflicting and self-serving claims.The course will be organized as a colloquium, with introductory lectures and assigned readings on specific topics, followed by class discussion of the stylistic and historical issues. There will be three short papers summarizing the state of our knowledge about particular subjects, and one more substantial research paper.

Limited to 25 students.  Spring semester.  Visiting Professor Lieberman.