Permission of instructor required, e-mail: bbuenger@wisc.edu

Course Description

The connections and interactions of Matisse and Picasso have been roundly studied, documented, and exhibited in the past several years. Our proseminar will focus on how both dealt differently with tradition, with "tradition" conceived largely to consider far more than the artistic heritage of western Europe. Weekly class discussions during the first half of the course will be devoted to critical consideration and discussion of writings that deal with precise instances of their varying uses of traditions and the methodologies with which art historians deal with this subject. From the start each student will also begin research on either Picasso or Matisse's interest in a single artistic tradition, following - among other routes - methods of research discussed in class. In addition to regular contributions to discussions and short written assignments, students will provide frequent reports on the state of their own findings as they move towards their final oral and written presentations.

Requirements

Weekly reading assignments and bi-weekly oral or written presentations developed both individually and in groups. The course is writing-intensive. Students will prepare their final oral and written reports (approximately 30 minutes and 20 pages) in a series of shorter preparatory assignments, with numerous opportunities for refinement and revision.