Duration
30h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
'Observe and compare. Fundamental concepts of iconography.' This third-year course is an introduction to the iconographic analysis of works of art, specifically Western iconography (Greco-Roman mythology, biblical tradition and peripheral variations, historical narratives). This course is primarily methodological in nature. In addition to presenting the various tools useful for iconographic analysis, it focuses primarily on practising how to look at images: 'Trusting our eyes', as Jacob Burckhardt once suggested. Thus, following the model of Heinrich Wölfflin's 'Fundamental Principles of Art History,' different points of view (space, matter, composition, time, colour, light) will be successively applied to a selection of images. Students will thus benefit from a series of objective research avenues that they will be able to easily test on a large part of the Western iconographic repertoire.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This BLOC 3 course (HAAR0026-1) aims to enable students to master the principles and practice of iconographic analysis of figurative representation. In other words, it familiarises students with the main themes of ancient and Christian art. The main learning objective of this course is limited to defining and implementing a research process.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
None - bearing in mind that any study of art history requires a solid knowledge of history in order to understand the periods in which the works in question were created, as well as regular practice in using texts relevant to the investigation, whether they concern Greco-Roman mythology, sacred writings of the Judeo-Christian tradition, or references to specific social or political events from antiquity to the present day.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
For BAC students, regular presence in class is required, as well as analytical study and verification work in the library, which is required in order to cover all the material presented. These hours of personal study throughout the year should be equivalent (or greater than) the number of hours in class. It is also advised the the foundations are laid on the basis of bibliographical and iconographical information.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Face-to-face course
Further information:
Lecture (illustrated with projections). However, some lectures may be given using podcasts posted on MyUliège.
The final sessions of the course will take the form of practical work during which students will be invited to create "tableaux vivants" that will enable them to practise one or other of the six points of view studied - theoretically - previously.
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Given in the reading list provided during the course, in particular :
- Heinrich WÖLFFLIN, Kunstgeschichtliche Grundbegriffe. Das Problem der Stilentwicklung in der neueren Kunst, München 1915. < traduction française (C. et M. Raymond) = Principes fondamentaux de l'Histoire de l'art. Le problème de l'évolution du style dans l'art moderne, Paris 1989³.
- Gotthold Ephraim LESSING, Laokoon oder Über die Grenzen der Malerei und Poesie, Berlin 1766-1768. < traduction française (F. Teinturier) = Laocoon ou Des limites respectives de la poésie et de la peinture, Paris 2011.
Exam(s) in session
May-June exam session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
August-September exam session
- In-person
oral exam
Further information:
The June assessment (first session) will consist of a written examination (open-ended questions), and the August assessment (second session) will consist of an oral examination (open-ended questions).
Work placement(s)
No placements are planned during this course.
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
This course will take place every week from Friday 6 February 2026, in line with the schedule which has been established (Fridays 9am at 11am / S50). No breaks are planned during the class.
Contacts
Meetings (upon appointment) at the History of Art and Archaeology of Greek and Roman Antiquity Department: Thursday (9am - noon) in the first term - Tuesdays (9am - noon) in the second term.
Lecturer
Thomas Morard, professor
Department of Historical Sciences
Quai Roosevelt 1b (Building A4) at B-4000 Liège
Tel. 04.366.56.12
Email : thomas.morard@uliege.be
http://web.philo.ulg.ac.be/shaaragr/
Secretariat
Josiane DERULLIEUR
Tél. 04.366.53.41