Europe 1900: Nationalism and Decadence at the Fin-De-Siecle (U01184)

? Credit Points : 20 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : ACE-3-HEuro1900

The course will cover the period c.1885-1910. This is an exciting field with an increasingly challenging bibliography. The course deals with a wide variety of media - painting, drawings, prints, posters, sculpture, and to a certain extent the decorative arts - in a variety of primarily western European countries, including France, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, and Austria-Hungary. This range introduces art in unfamiliar countries and by little known artists. The course is organised around themes. Nationalism, internationalism, and regionalism are considered as rivals and counterparts; the notions of centres (e.g. Paris) and peripheries (e.g. Switzerland and Scandinavia, via Hodler, Gallen-Kallela, and Hammershoi) is also considered. Different nations' rivalries over the classical tradition is a key area (Puvis de Chavannes, Gustave Moreau, Cezanne, Von Stuck). Public health and its counterpoint, decadence (Toulouse-Lautrec, De Feure), is dealt with, particularly with reference to the social Darwinism which was such a prevalent contemporary discourse. Both these themes link with notions of city and country, the former growing and becoming dangerous (Kollwitz), the latter seen increasingly as a repository of nostalgic values (Zorn). Spirituality was widely acknowledged to be a fin-de-sicle concern, and this is considered not only in relation to explicitly Christian art (Corinth, Maurice Denis) but also to Theosophy (Mondrian, Kandinsky, Kupka), which encouraged artists to find new expression in abstraction. Music is also considered, as an 'abstract' form capable of expressing deep emotion and also a vehicle for nationalism (Klinger, Klimt). Finally, the course plays off artist's fascination with modernity and its articulation as anxiety (Ensor, Munch, Spilliaert).

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : A pass in either History of Art 2 or Architectural History 2a and 2b

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Europe 1900: Nationalism and Decadence at the Fin-De-Siecle(VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

History of Art, (School of Arts, Culture and Environment, Schedule A)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	09:50	Central

? Additional Class Information : Seminars will take place on Tuesdays 9-10.50 and 11.10-1pm. Students will attend one of these.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Students taking this course will hone close skills of picture analysis, based on the close study of objects both in the classroom and on a gallery visit. They will get a fuller understanding of the social history of art. In particular, they will be encouraged to think in interdisciplinary terms, and to key the making of images into historical processes. In terms of learning they will be encouraged to explore periodical literature and to read critically and widely. All students will be expected not only to prepare for classes, whether giving a paper or not, but also to contribute in an informed way to discussion.