The Reception of Antiquity in Early Modern Europe: Themes and Approaches - Detailseite

The topic of the reception of antiquity stands at the core of the European visual arts in the Early Modern period. It is one of the most enduring themes, yet at the same time one of the most diffuse and difficult to define.

This lecture course examines the enduring influence of classical antiquity on the visual arts, tracing themes in its reception between c. 1400 and c. 1750. Students will explore how artists and patrons have engaged with Greco-Roman forms, motifs, and ideals to construct identities, assert power, and communicate cultural values. Through case studies of key works, we will investigate themes such as the cult of antiquity in artistic circles, the rise of mythological themes, collecting, and the study of classical architecture. Special attention will be given to the socio-political contexts that shaped these dialogues, including the role of antiquities in court culture, the rise of early forms of archaeology, the formation of identity, and the complex legacy of classical art in colonial movements.

This lecture class also aims to address the issue of methodologies. How has the reception of the antique been studied in the past? Where have there been blind spots or oversights? How can the methodology of this historically positivist field be expanded, to take account of input from the broader field of art history (such as gender studies, or global art history). We will review past methodologies and will consider new avenues of research and question the traditional boundaries of this topic.