History of Art

A.Y. 2025/2026
6
Max ECTS
48
Overall hours
SSD
L-ART/03
Language
Italian
Learning objectives
The course addresses fundamental issues in the History of Art, starting from the understanding of chronology and main investigative methodologies, with the aim of contextualizing artworks and key figures within a historical-critical framework.
Specifically, topics related to contemporary art and 20th-century art will be explored in depth.
Expected learning outcomes
The lessons and examination program are designed to provide students with a foundational reference for studying, both in class and independently, the History of Art, with particular emphasis on contemporary art.
Through the analysis of case studies and the in-depth study of specific personalities and artistic contexts, students will learn to interpret artworks and develop a methodological approach to the subject.
Single course

This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.

Course syllabus and organization

Single session

Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
The lessons and examination program are designed to provide students with a foundational reference for studying, both in class and independently, the History of Art, with particular emphasis on contemporary art.
Through the analysis of case studies and the in-depth study of specific personalities and artistic contexts, students will learn to interpret artworks and develop a methodological approach to the subject.
Teaching methods
The course includes lectures and some seminar-style sessions, complemented by educational outings in Milan to visit museums and temporary exhibitions.
Teaching Resources
Topics covered during lessons
· Ernst H. Gombrich, The Story of Art, (chapters: 8-27), Illustrated Edition, Et al.
· Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction, Milan, Feltrinelli, 2012, 2019, Et al.

A volume of your choice of following (two for non-attending students)
· Aaron Sharf, Arte e Fotografia, Milano, Einaudi, 1979, Et. Al.
· Silvia Bordini, Arte Elettronica, Prato, Giunti, 2004 Et.Al.
· Antonello Negri, Carne e Ferro. La Pittura Tedesca intorno al 1925 (ediz. Illustrata), Milano, Scalpendi, 2007
· Domenico Quaranta, Media, New Media, Postmedia, Milano, PostmediaBooks, 2020
· M. Meneguzzo, E. Morteo, A. Saibene, Programmare l'arte: Olivetti e le neoavanguardie cinetiche, Johan & Levi, Milano, 2012
· Christiane Paul, Digital Art. World of art series, Thames & Hudson, 2015 (esiste solo l'edizione in inglese)
· Let's get Digital. NFT e nuove realtà dell'arte digitale a c di Arturo Galantine, Serena Tabacchi, cat. Mostra (Firenze, Palazzo Strozzi, 18 maggio-31 luglio 2022), Marsilio Arte, 2022
· L. Calvi, Tonino Casula. Ostinato Continuo, Ilisso, Nuoro, 2023
L-ART/03 - HISTORY OF CONTEMPORARY ART - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours