Cultura Italiana Arezzo
New courses

Language and Art history - Minimum language level required B1

The Language and Art History course is divided into 3 weeks: the first week will cover the Medieval era while the second and third week will be over the Renaissance; however, we offer the possibility to attend the course for only one week with the choice to attend either one of the historical periods.
For all the weeks, alternating in between afternoon lessons and guided-tours, students will have the chance to deepen their understanding and bring to life all that will be presented and studied in class.

This course is a true and sheer immersion not only into the art but also into the history and the culture of Italy, particular of Tuscany. The periods studied are the Medieval and Renaissance.
Together these are the most significant and interesting periods of art in Tuscany. The works of art from these two periods became a point of inspiration for artists all over the world.

Among the lessons in class and the guided-tours, the course will take place within the cities of Arezzo and Florence. Having the opportunity to observe and evaluate the works of art in-person offers students the possibility to witness the works of art that are so important to Italian art history. Among the skillful and ingenious artists to be studied are Giotto, Masaccio, Donatello, Brunelleschi, Piero della Francesca, only to name a few.

Base Course: 1,2 or 3 weeks
Italian Comprehension Level: Intermediate/ Advanced
Starting date of course: every Monday

**INTENSIVE LANGUAGE COURSE + HISTORY OF ART COURSE:**

- 1 WEEK: THE MEDIEVAL ERA:

*Monday::

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon: Free

* Tuesday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Arezzo (1.5 hours)
- A brief introduction to the history of Arezzo, from its origins in the Roman era, touching on San Donato, and ending with the Medieval era. This brief history lesson will introduce the most note-worthy and well-known monuments of the city and territory with a brief reference to Guido d’Arezzo.
- Coverage of both civic and religious architectural elements of the medieval era, particularly romanesque and gothic styles
Guided-tour: Arezzo: (2 hours)
- Pieve di Santa Maria (Romanesque architecture, the concept of a “pieve” and a presentation of San Donato)
- Piazza Grande
- Duomo of Arezzo (gothic architecture, San Donato, the figure of Vescovo-Conte and Pope Gregory X)


* Wednesday

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Florence (2 hours)
- Brief introduction of the history of Florence, from its Roman origins until the Medieval era, introducing the note-worthy and well-knowns monuments of the city and its territory.
- Coverage of both civic and religious architectural elements of the medieval era, particularly romanesque and gothic styles
- Paintings from the 13th and the 14th century
- Sculptures from the 13th and 14th century


* Thursday

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
Guided-tour: Florence (3 hours)
- Complex of Santa Maria del Fiore: Baptistry as an example of romanesque architecture (exterior only), Duomo, and the Campanile of Giotto (bell-tower, example of gothic architecture)
- “Quartiere di Dante” (“Neighborhood of Dante”): one of the three most well preserved medieval areas (civic architecture, town-homes)
- Chiesa di Orsanmichele: sculptures and paintings
- Piazza della Signorina e Palazzo Vecchio (civic architecture)
- Basilica di Santa Croce (Church of Santa Croce): religious, gothic architecture, frescos by Giotto and his apprentices such as Taddeo and Agnolo Gaddi, Giovanni da Milano and Spinello Aretino
- Torre della Pagliazza
- Palazzo del Bargello


* Friday

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Arezzo (1.5 hours)
- Paintings of the 13th and 14th century
- Sculptures of the 13th and 14th century
Guided-tour: Arezzo (1,5 hour)
- Pieve di Santa Maria:
- Sculpture: faceted lunette reliefs, two smaller reliefs of the interior, tiles of the baptistry
- Paintings: the Cross of Margarito, Altarpiece of Lorenzetti, and “Giottesque” frescos (in the manner of Giotto)
- Duomo:
- Sculpture: wooden statue of °la Madonna in Trono con Bambino Gesù° (Mary on the Throne with Jesus), high altar, memorial of Bishop Guido Tarlati
- Paintings: giottesque fresco of the Tarlati Chapel among other chapel painting in the nave;
- Church of San Domenico
- Sculpture: Dragondelli chapel, stone statue depicting “la Madonna in Trono con Bambino Gesù”
- Pittura: Cross of Cimabue and frescos of Spinello Aretino and Parri di Spinello



- RENAISSANCE: 2 WEEKS:

- RENAISSANCE 15th CENTURY: 1° WEEK

*Monday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon: Free

* Tuesday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Florence (2 hours)
- Brief historical and cultural introduction on the period of Early Renaissance (15th century), on the most interesting artists and on the novelties these artists have brought from the historical and artistical point of view with elements of architecture, painting, and sculpture

* Wednesday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
Guided Tour: Florence (3 hours)::
- Church of Santa Maria Novella (facade by L. B. Alberti, The Trinity fresco by Masaccio, frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio and Filippino Lippi)
- Dome of the Cathedral: one of the greatest achievements of Renaissance architecture (Brunelleschi);
- Palazzo Medici-Riccardi: model of a Renaissance aristocratic palace (Michelozzo)
- Brancacci Chapel (Masaccio, Masolino and Filippo Lippi)
- Statues in Orsanmichele (Donatello, Filippo Brunelleschi and Lorenzo Ghiberti)


*Thursday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:

In-class lesson: Arezzo (1,5 hour):
- Brief historical and cultural introduction on the period of Early Renaissance (15th century), on the most interesting artists and on the novelties these artists have brought from the historical and artistical point of view with elements of painting, and sculpture
+
Guided-tour: Arezzo (1,5 hour):
- Basilica of San Francesco: frescoes by Piero della Francesca The Legend of the True Cross, frescoes by Lorentino d’Andrea, Bicci di Lorenzo and Niccolò Soggi and funerary monument in terracotta by Michele da Firenze
- Abbey of the SS. Flora and Lucilla: fresco depicting San Lorenzo by Bartolomeo della Gatta
- Church of SS. Michele and Adriano: altarpiece by Neri di Bicci
- Facade of Palazzo di Fraternita: relief reperesenting the Madonna of Mercy by Bernardo Rossellino
- Cathedral: marble relief representing the Baptism of Jesus by Donatello and reliefs in glazed terracotta by Andrea della Robbia


* Friday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Arezzo: (1,5h hour)
-- Elements of Renaissance Architecture
+
Guided-tour: Arezzo : (1,5h hour)
- Sanctuary of S. Maria delle Grazie: architecture by Benedetto and Giuliano da Maiano, altarpiece by
Andrea della Robbia and Lorentino d’Andrea, and frescoes by Lorentino d’Andrea


- RENAISSANCE 16th CENTURY: 2° WEEK

*Monday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon: Free

* Tuesday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Florence (2 hours)
- Brief historical and cultural introduction on the period of Mannerism (with hints to Michelangelo, Leonardo and Raffaello), on the most interesting artists of the time and on the novelties these artists have brought from the historical and artistical point of view with elements of architecture, painting, and sculpture

* Wednesday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
Guided Tour: Florence (3 hours)::
- Cloister of the Church SS. Annunziata: frescoes by Andrea del Sarto, Pontormo and Rosso
Fiorentino;
- Basilica of San Lorenzo: paintings by Rosso Fiorentino and Bronzino;
- Medicea - Laurenziana Library: architecture by Michelangelo;
- Statues in Piazza della Signoria: The Rape of the Sabines by Giambologna and Perseus by
Benvenuto Cellini;
- Uffizi Gallery (outside);
- Vasarian Corridor (outside)
- Church of S. Felicita: Capponi Chapel decorated with frescoes by Pontormo and Bronzino)

*Thursday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level

Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Arezzo (1,5 hour):
- Brief historical, cultural introduction on the most interesting artists of the time (with hints to Michelangelo and Raffaello), on the novelties these artists have brought from the historical and artistical point of view with elements of architecture:
+
Guided-tour: Arezzo (1,5 hour):
Architecture:
- Church of SS. Annunziata: architecture by Antonio da Sangallo
- Abbey of the SS. Flora and Lucilla: architecture by Giorgio Vasari
- Piazza Grande: Lodge by Giorgio Vasari

* Friday:

Morning: Intensive Italian language course in class with students of the same level
Afternoon:
In-class lesson: Arezzo: (1,5h hour)
- Elements of Mannerist painting and sculpture
+
Painting and sculpture:
- Cathedral: stained glass windows by Guillaume de Marcillat and Baptism of Christ by Giorgio
Vasari;
- Church of SS. Annunziata: Adoration by Niccolò Soggi, Deposition of Jesus by Giorgio Vasari;
- Abbey of SS. Flora and Lucilla: Visitation by G. A. Lappoli; high altar and Assumption by Giorgio
Vasari;
- Casa Vasari Museum: paintings by Giorgio Vasari


Cost of Intensive Language Course and Art History Course (1 Week on Medieval Era):
€562 per person (1-2 participants)

With 3-5 participants, there is a discount of 10% off from the course

The cost consists of:
-Intensive language course in the morning, from Monday to Friday (1 week)
-In-class history of art lessons
-Guided-tours with a history of art teacher and tour-guide
-entrance to the museums
-train tickets to and from Florence

Cost of Intensive Language Course and Art History Course (2 Weeks on Renaissance):
€1.060 per person (1-2 participants)

With 3-5 participants, there is a discount of 10% off from the course

The cost consists of:
-Intensive language course in the morning, from Monday to Friday (2 weeks)
-In-class history of art lessons
-Guided-tours with a history of art teacher and tour-guide
-entrance to the museums
-train tickets to and from Florence

On request it is also possible to attend the one-week course on the Renaissance.
The cost of 1 week on the Renaissance is € 578



Resume of Samantha Bidi, teacher of the History of Art Course:
Samantha Bidi graduated from the University of Siena in 2001 with a degree in Foreign Language and Literature.
With a strong passion for history, literature, culture, and art history, Samantha completed a 800 hour course, comprising mostly of historical and archeological knowledge, in order to become a certified tour-guide of the city of Arezzo.
After having obtained the certification and while continuing to teach, Samantha worked around the clock as she began her career as a tour-guide. A few years later, in 2008, Samantha extended her professional ambitions by becoming certified to give tours in the province of Florence.
Since 2012, Samantha has collaborated with Cultura Italia Arezzo where she conducts seminars, teaches courses, and hosts guided-tours pertaining to the history of art concerning the most significant artists and works of art from the Medieval era and the Renaissance in both Arezzo and Florence.

                             

Che bella esperienza! L'organizzazione efficace arricchisce ogni momento passato con tutti. Insegnanti sono competenti e molto pazienti. L'incontro con gli studenti stranieri crea un ambiente piacevole! Una esperienza che mi ricorderò!

Christine Boudrias    (  Montréal)