The art of collecting in the Renaissance: the Studiolo

About this course

The course traces the development of the studiolo in fifteenth-century Renaissance Italy, examining examples associated with Piero de’ Medici, Federigo da Montefeltro and Isabella d’Este. It considers how these rooms were positioned within homes, who could access them, and how objects from antiquity, the Islamic world and contemporary artists were selected, displayed and used. Teaching combines illustrated lectures with group discussion, supported by assigned readings and supplementary materials. A session takes place offsite in a London gallery, where the collections and displays can be considered in person.

What you'll learn

• Identify qualities that made objects desirable to Renaissance collectors
• Discuss relationships between objects and their uses within the studiolo
• Explain how collectors influenced the production of bronzes, statuettes, plaquettes and prints
• Describe how Renaissance collecting practices contributed to the development of the Wunderkammer and Kunstkammer

Is this course right for you?

The course is designed for learners at all levels and uses lectures, visual material and group discussion rather than practical making. Participants should be willing to read assigned texts, follow written and verbal guidance, and use Google Classroom for course materials. One session involves viewing a gallery collection offsite.

• Suitable for learners with different levels of prior art history knowledge
• Includes discussion as well as lecture-based teaching
• Assigned reading contributes to some lectures and discussions
• Requires use of Google Classroom to access supplementary documents

Before you go

• Supplementary materials are shared through Google Classroom; required readings and the course outline are printed.
• A notebook may be useful for taking notes, but is optional.
• Books from any reading list may be purchased for further study, but this is optional.
• One session takes place offsite in a gallery. Learners may need to walk between sites and stand for periods while viewing displays; access arrangements should be confirmed in advance if required.
• Seating cannot be guaranteed at the offsite session, although learners may bring their own portable stool.