Purpose of this Site
This website has been created to support students in the study of works of art included in the Special Subject, Politics, Art and Culture in the Italian Renaissance: Venice and Florence, c. 1475 – 1525. Its purpose is help with and hopefully save you time in your research and exam preparation. This site aims to: (1) present a general overview of the paintings, drawings, prints, and objects produced in Venice and Florence during the period under review (2) contextualise the Ashmolean works within the era in which they were produced, and (3) explain the research methodologies and literature most commonly used by art historians. Included are the pieces which will be studied during four trips to the Ashmolean Museum. Most of the content, however, focuses on prints and drawings, in part because my own background is in the field, and in part because works on paper require more specialist resources which, through their inclusion here, should save you time in your research. Despite the focus on prints and drawings, much of the methodology discussed can be applied to other objects of art. You are not required to use this site, nor will you be tested on your knowledge of its contents. It may, however, speed up your understanding of the visual objects being examined for this course. I have attempted to include as many helpful resources as possible, while at the same time trying not to overload the site with nonessential information. A summary of its contents and layout can be found by clicking on the How To button below. You will also see a comments box at the bottom of almost every page in which you are able to ask questions or make requests for additional information.