Giorgio Vasari and his legacy: 450th years celebration of his death

This seminar will honor the life and work of Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574), who founded the discipline of art history. Vasari was a knowledgeable artist in classics, emblems, and mythography and a significant figure in art history. An accomplished painter, architect, art collector, and historical writer in sixteenth-century Tuscany, he was celebrated for his invaluable contributions to the art world through his art theory and artistic achievements. This seminar will delve into Vasari's artistic innovations that continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts today. It will also examine Vasari's innovative painting techniques, particularly in the decorative cycles of Cancelleria Palace in Rome and Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. In addition, the seminar will explore Vasari's architectural creations, including corridors, facades, and squares that exemplify his ingenuity, such as the Uffizi Gallery. Vasari's conceptions of museums, as reflected in his homes in Arezzo and Florence, will also be analyzed. Seminar participants will gain a deeper understanding of Vasari's role as an influential figure in the art world and learn about his significant contributions to art and art theory during the sixteenth century in Italy.


Group Leader: Liana Cheney
Venue: Online
Meets on: Thursday 3:30 to 5:30 PM
Starting: 10/10/2024
Sessions: 6
Class Size: 50
Teaching Style: Lecture with questions
Weekly Preparation: None
Group Leader Biography:

Liana De Girolami Cheney received a Ph.D. in art history from Boston University and is a professor of Art History emerita at UMASS Lowell. She is a Renaissance and Mannerist scholar, author, and coauthor of numerous articles and books, including Botticelli’s Neoplatonism in his Mythological Painting; The Homes of Giorgio Vasari; Giorgio Vasari’s Teachers: Sacred and Profane Love; Giuseppe Arcimboldo: The Magic Painting; Readings in Italian Mannerism I and II; Giorgio Vasari’s Art and Art Theory; Giorgio Vasari’s Artistic and Emblematic Manifestations; Giorgio Vasari’s Art Theory and Prefaces; Agnolo Bronzino: The Florentine Muse; Lavinia Fontana’s Mythological Paintings; and Barbara Longhi from Ravenna.