2017/18 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF2094 Art, Power and Portraiture

20 creditsClass Size: 25

Module manager: Dr Valerie Mainz
Email: V.S.Mainz@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Pre-requisite qualifications

At least 20 credits of level 1 ARTF modules

This module is approved as a discovery module

Module summary

This module addresses the large format painted portrait that developed in 16th century Europe, featured in court art of the 17th Century and evolved into the grand manner tradition of the commercial world of 18th century England. Portraiture raises fundamental questions about status, identity, gender and the body. The social functions of such imagery, its patronage, patterns of allegiance, making, viewing and viewing conditions will be located within relevant historical contexts. The technical methods, visual devices and rhetorical conventions of a range of works by such artists as Hans Holbein the Younger, Titian, Velazquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough will be analysed, as will the problematic aspects of likeness, physical appearance, individual presence and beauty. Different portrait types, such as the ruler, the group, the equestrian and the family will be studied and there will be a consideration of how allegory and narrative transform these portrait types into much larger statements about position within society.Assessment: 1 x 1 hour exam (50%) and 1 x 2,000-3,000 word essay (50%).

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should have acquired:
- an informed and critical understanding of a significant number of key images and texts in the study of the art and history of the Early Modern Period in Europe.
- an integrated knowledge of a variety of perspectives, methodologies and approaches to the subjects and objects of portraiture.
- skills in the preparation and presentation of relevant primary and secondary source material and be able to construct and put forward relevant oral debate and written argument.

Skills outcomes
- Verbal and written fluency in constructing a logical and coherent argument
- Use of audio visual aids
- Participation in group discussions
- Co-ordination and dissemination of a range of historical, contextual visual information
- Using bibliographies and databases.

Syllabus

This module will address the large format painted portrait that developed North and South of the Alps in the 16th Century, featured in court art of the 17th Century and evolved into the grand manner tradition of the commercial world of late 18th century England. As representation, portraiture raises fundamental questions to do with issues of status, identity, gender and the body.

The social functions of such imagery, its patronage, patterns of allegiance, making, viewing and viewing conditions will be located within relevant historical contexts. The technical methods, visual devices and rhetorical conventions of a range of specific objects by such major artists as Titian, Velazquez, Rubens, Van Dyck, Reynolds and Gainsborough will be analysed, as will the problematic aspects of likeness, physical appearance, individual presence and beauty.

Different portrait types, such as the ruler, the group, the equestrian and the family will be studied and there will be a consideration of how allegory and narrative come to transform these portrait types into much larger statements about position within society.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Seminar	10	2.00	20.00
Private study hours			180.00
Total Contact hours			20.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

180 hours - essay/presentation/class preparation and further reading.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

- Attendance at seminars/lectures
- Registers taken
- Presentation (non-assessed)
- Participation in class discussions.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	1 x 2,000-3,000 word essay	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Exams

Exam type	Exam duration	% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)	1 hr 00 mins	50.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)		50.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 31/03/2016

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