(in Polish) Między a chrześcijaństwem a pogaństwem. Czytanie renesansowych dzieł sztuki 3700-CS-F-MCP
his course offers an analysis of selected examples of Renaissance art in the context of the ideological, religious, and aesthetic tensions between classical and Christian traditions. Students will interpret works of painting, sculpture, and architecture with attention to the presence of pagan (Greek and Roman mythology) and Christian (the Bible, theology, hagiography) symbolism, examining their interplay, synthesis, or conflict.
The analysis will also explore the Renaissance concept of the artist-scholar, considering how artists positioned themselves as intellectual mediators. The course aims to develop students’ skills in consciously "reading" works of art, cultivating sensitivity to cultural context, and encouraging reflection on the ideological transformations of the Renaissance.
Particular emphasis will be placed on the works of Italian artists of the 15th and 16th centuries—such as Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael—while also addressing selected themes from the Northern Renaissance. The course integrates historical, iconographic, and cultural approaches to art.
Type of course
Prerequisites (description)
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Knowledge – The student:
knows the basic concepts related to the Renaissance, humanism, and both Christian and mythological iconography (K_W01)
understands the importance of historical and cultural context for interpreting works of art (K_W05)
is familiar with basic hermeneutic tools used in art interpretation (K_W08)
Skills – The student:
is able to analyze and interpret works of Renaissance art (K_U04)
can identify and interpret classical and Christian elements within an artwork (K_U03)
uses fundamental terminology from the fields of art history and cultural studies (K_U06 ( Social Competences – The student:
exhibits awareness of the integration of pagan and Christian elements in the formation of cultural heritage." (K_K08)
is able to engage in discussions on complex issues at the intersection of art, religion, and culture (K_K09)
demonstrates openness to different value systems and ways of thinking (K_K06)
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: