ARTH 6445 - Nature, Cultural Landscape, and Gardens in Early Modern Europe

(crosslisted)
(also VISST 6445)

Fall. 4 credits.

Co-meets with ARTH 4445/VISST 4445.

C. Lazzaro.

Examines cultural understandings of nature in early modern Europe, especially Italy. It considers concepts of nature, as well as “second nature,” “cultural landscape,” and “pastoral.” The cultural significance of plants, animals, and collections of natural objects is considered, as well as the role of gardens and alterations to the land in the formation of national identity. The focus is on Italian gardens of the 16th and 17th centuries and some French gardens, especially the Versailles of King Louis XIV.