The Cathedral and the Town Hall: Symbols of a Civilization

This course examines the history, art, and symbolism of Florence's two principal monuments: the Cathedral, or Duomo, and the Town Hall, known as the Palazzo della Signoria or Palazzo Vecchio. Both were begun in the late 13th century by the architect Arnolfo di Cambio. Through lectures, site visits, and readings, students will follow their parallel architectural, artistic, and ideological development from the age of Giotto and the Guelph Republic to that of Bronzino, Giambologna, and the Grand Duchy. The course introduces techniques of interpretation and cultural analysis to help students identify the ideas underlying each building's design and decoration. By comparing these religious and civic landmarks, students will explore both their shared meanings and their ideological differences, and consider how their expressive features articulated changing social, political, and religious values in Florence.