Art in the Prado
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A study of the life and works of the most important painters represented in the Prado Museum. Spanish painters such as el Greco, Ribera, Velazquez, and Goya will be examined, as well as painters from other countries such as Bosch, Rubens, Titian, Carracci and Caravaggio whose works are well-represented in the Prado.
Attendance is mandatory for all IES Abroad classes, including course-related excursions. Any exams, tests, presentations, or other work missed due to student absences can only be rescheduled in cases of documented medical or family emergencies. If a student misses more than two classes in any course half a letter grade will be deducted from the final grade for every additional absence. Seven absences in any course will result in a failing grade.
By the end of the course, students will be able to :
- Know the different artistic movements and the historical context of each artist discussed in the course content.
- Develop analytic tools to analyze paintings by the old masters and create their own personal enriching experience and conclusions.
- Broaden their intellectual horizons and use the analytic tools learned in class to apply them to different paintings and museums.
All classes will take place in the Prado Museum, where the professor will explain in front of the original work of art the history behind it, technical aspects, iconography, etc.
All sessions will take place in the Prado Museum, unless otherwise specified by the instructor or an exam is schedule for the session.
- Midterm Exam - 40%
- Final Exam - 40%
- Class Attendance (including museum visits) and Participation - 20%
Session |
Content |
Location(s) |
Session 1 | Introduction to the course | IES Abroad Center |
Session2 | Bosch: The debate over its meaning | Prado Museum |
Session 3 | Tintoretto and the characteristics of the Venetian school of art | Prado Museum |
Session 4 | Titian | Prado Museum |
Session 5 | El Greco I: The social condition of the artist | Prado Museum |
Session 6 | El Greco II: Explanation of his painting technique using his main masterpieces as examples | Prado Museum |
Session 7 | Annibale Carracci and Caravaggio | Prado Museum |
Session 8 | Midterm Exam | IES Abroad Center |
Session 9 | Velázquez in Seville | Prado Museum |
Session 10 | Velázquez in Seville II | Prado Museum |
Session 11 | Rubens: Artist and embassador in Madrid | Prado Museum |
Session 12 | Las Hilanderas and the dwarfs of Velázquez | Prado Museum |
Session 13 | Las Meninas of Velázquez | Prado Museum |
Session 14 | Goya's tapestry cartoons I | Prado Museum |
Session 15 | Goya's tapestry cartoons II | Prado Museum |
Session 16 | Goya: The war of independence | Prado Museum |
Session 17 | Goya: The black paintings | Prado Museum |
Session 18 | Final Exam | IES Abroad Center |
- Portús, Javier, Velázquez, guía de la colección, Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, 2012
- General Course
- Brown, Jonathan, La Edad de Oro de la Pintura en España, Madrid, Nerea, 1990
- Luna, Juan J. y Úbeda, Andrés, Guía Pintura europea del siglo XVIII, Madrid, Museo del Prado, 1997
- El Greco
- Marías, Fernando, El Greco, historia de un pintor extravagante, San Sebastián, Nerea, 2013
- Velázquez
- Portús, Javier (Ed.), Velázquez y la familia de Felipe IV, [1650-1680], Madrid, Museo Nacional del Prado, 2013
- Goya
- Mena, Manuela (Ed.), Guía. Goya y la Pintura española del siglo XVIII, Madrid, Museo del Prado, 2000
- Matilla, José Manuel y Mena, Manuela, Goya, luces y sombras. Obras maestras del Museo del Prado, Tokyo, The Yomiuri Shimbun, 2011