Michelangelo: Art and Writings



Overview

Michelangelo’s thriving artistic production covers sculpture, architecture and painting. Understand the differences between the Roman and the Florentine Pietà or between the Classical David and the Baroque terribilità of Moses. Discover Michelangelo’s architecture for St Peter’s at the Vatican and the Eternal City.

Indulge into the nudity of the frescoes, he painted for the Sistine Chapel, for which he was so much criticised. Explore Michelangelo’s writings, not as celebrated, maybe, as the notebooks of Leonardo, still facets of his talent. His letters & sonnets betray his feelings - his psyche.

Michelangelo’s genius might as well embody the Renaissance ideal of ‘Universal Man’.

Programme details

Session 1

Introduction: The Universal Men of the Renaissance

Session 2

Michelangelo’s Sculpture I: sculptural masterpieces covering the length of his career: the Pietà, the David etc.

Session 3

Michelangelo’s Sculpture II: the sculptural schemes for the Monument of Julius II and for the Medici Chapel

Session 4

Michelangelo's Paintings I: the wall paintings of the Sistine Chapel ceiling

Session 5

Michelangelo's Paintings II: the wall paintings of the Sistine Chapel ceiling & the Last Judgement

Session 6

Visit: Western Art Print Room, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford 

Session 7

Visit: Western Art Print Room, Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford 

Session 8

Michelangelo’s Architecture I: Florence & Rome

Session 9

Michelangelo’s Architecture II: Vatican 

Session 10

Michelangelo's Writings I: his letters and other writings mostly

Session 11

Michelangelo's Writings II: his poetry mostly

Session 12

Conclusion: Michelangelo, a Universal Man?

 

Fees

Description Costs
Programme Fee (No Accommodation - inc. Tuition, Lunch & Dinner) £850.00
Programme Fee (Standard Single Room - inc. Tuition and Meals) £1485.00
Programme Fee (Standard Twin Room - inc. Tuition and Meals) £1245.00
Programme Fee (Superior Single Room - inc. Tuition and Meals) £1600.00
Programme Fee (Superior Twin Room - inc. Tuition and Meals) £1345.00

Tutor

Dr Manya Pagiavla

Tutor

Manya holds a PhD in history of art/architecture, she teaches at the Department for Continuing Education, University of Oxford and at the Victoria & Albert Museum, while in the past, she taught at the University of Cambridge. Her latest publication is on the library of Leonardo da Vinci, co-authored with Martin Kemp, University of Oxford.

Course aims

This course aims to examine the ‘universal’ genius of Michelangelo, his sculpture, his architecture, his paintings and his writings.

Teaching methods

All summer school courses are taught through group seminars and individual tutorials. Students also conduct private study when not in class and there is a well stocked library at OUDCE to support individual research needs.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be expected to understand:

  • Michelangelo’s art in the historic background of Renaissance Humanism
  • How to effectively visually analyse, compare and contrast and learn how to evaluate the sculpture, painting and architecture of Michelangelo
  • The artistic personality of Michelangelo as manifested in his writings
  • How to correlate, synthesise and assess aspects of Michelangelo’s art and writings in order to gain a better insight of the artist’s creative output

Assessment methods

Students are assessed during the summer school by either a 1500 word written assignment or a presentation supported by individual documentation. To successfully gain credit (10 CATS points) students should attend all classes and complete the on-course assignment. There is also a pre-course assignment of 1000 words set. Although this does not count towards credit, it is seen as an important way of developing a student's ideas and therefore its completion is mandatory.

Terms & conditions for applicants and students

Information on financial support