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2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

ARTF3151 Virtue, Vice and Voyeurism: Rembrandt and the Bible

20 creditsClass Size: 18

Module manager: Dr Valerie Mainz
Email: v.s.mainz@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisites

ARTF2000 or any level two ARTF coded module.

This module is approved as an Elective

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to analyse a wide range of visual imagery so as to answer questions as to how Rembrandt viewed the Jews, given the Calvinism of his own times. They will have acquired a critical, interdisciplinary understanding and awareness about the handling of religious imagery. They will have become familiar with different types of visual and verbal material. They will have developed their skills of synthesis and cognitive awareness. They will also have had the opportunity of close first hand contact with the original source material of the large collection of Rembrandt etchings held at Leeds City Art Gallery. They will have had to select profitably from an extensive bibliography.

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
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 begin with a discussion of why there is now a resurgence of interest in the religious aspects of Rembrandt's life, work and art. A key text, Michael Zell, 'Reframing Rembrandt: Jews and the Christian Image in Seventeenth-Century Amsterdam', University of California Press, 2002 provides us with the latest research on this important subject. In considering the processes of grand manner history painting, there will be a consideration of how Rembrandt conformed to and/or departed from traditional conventions and previously sanctioned models. This will be linked to issues of otherness, also arising out of the depiction of Jewish types as models for Christian thought. Many of Rembrandt's most famous works, such as 'The Blinding Of Samson', 'The Sacrifice of Isaac', 'Bathsheba' and 'Belshezzar's Feast' are on subjects from the Bible. How do these connect to what was going on within seventeenth-century Dutch society? The structures and processes of making art will also involve a consideration of Rembrandt's drypoints, etchings and etching techniques.

Teaching methods

Seminars: 11 x 2hr

Private study

178 hours reading, essay/class/presentation preparation

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Attendance at seminars
Record of attendance kept
Participation in class discussions

Methods of assessment

1 x 1hr exam (50%);
1 essay of 2,000 - 3,000 words due at the end of the semester (50%)

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/06/2007

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