I am thrilled to be back in our art history classroom with Professor Plesch for another semester, this time taking Introduction to Western Art. Our first class, last Wednesday, Professor Plesch opened with our learning objectives for the semester. All of which, I am not familiar with, so I am eager and excited to go into depth with many of the topics we will be discussing this semester. Our class on Wednesday captured a portion of art in the thirteenth and fourteenth-century Italy, examining the rebirth of Ancient Roman and Greek Art and Philosophy and the meeting of Italian religious and civic populations. Our first two works of art included two large structures, Arnolfo di Cambio’s “Palazzo dei Priori” and Nicola Pisano’s “Pisa Baptistery.” The Palazzo dei Priori is located in Perugia, the capital city of the Umbria region in central Italy. Not only is this Palazzo dei Priori monumental in stature, size, and architectural detail, but the structure’s background is necessary to recount. Knocking down several buildings in this area to build, this structure asserts its dominance and power practically before it was built. The fortified structure’s architectural details include, rustication, castle-like details, local stones (also known as “strong stones”), crenellations, battlements, and trefoiled windows. All of these details are telling of the structure’s power and influence reigning over the people of Central Italy.

As we continue class, we focused on the Pisa Baptistery, which Professor Plesch noted as particularly interesting because it is separate from a cathedral, as the church encouraged the intersection of the civic and religious. I find this very telling of the Italian community, because we are already seeing the society’s separation of political views, but also the importance of denoting oneself to their community.

Toward the end of class, we began our studies on Saint Francis. Saint Francis, born a “golden boy,” shows interest in all members of the Roman community, ultimately by becoming one with the beggars and poorer people in the Roman society. Saint Francis creates separate religious orders, leading the Franciscans (his followers) to interact with all members and social classes of the Roman community. I am intrigued to learn more about the different Italian societies, their greatest differences, why they were so separated, and finally if Saint Francis received any backlash from non-followers in Italy? I’m really looking forward to next class!