Art and Courtly Power in Early Modern Europe

From incest and assassinations to the noble pursuits of hunting and humanistic studies, the lives of sovereigns and their entourages at Renaissance and Baroque courts were varied and colorful. In this course we will explore the subjects and modes of art created for the enjoyment of secular princes and how they function as a tool of statecraft to consolidate their power. We will investigate urbanism and the styles and iconography of art and architecture at courts in Italy, Spain, France, Austria, and England. We will pay particular attention to the lives of courtiers, female artists, and other women. 3 hrs. lect/disc.