ARTH-3430 Art, Gender, Patronage-Court of Burgundy

This course examines the relationship between art, gender, and patronage at the Burgundian court, from its inception in the late 14th century under Philip the Bold to the regency of Margaret of Austria in the early 16th century. During this era, Belgium, the Netherlands, and parts of northern France were governed by the dukes and duchesses of Burgundy and their Habsburg successors. Their claim to power was partly based on women's inheritance rights, as reflected in the dukes' artistic patronage and the decisive roles played by their female relatives as spouses, rulers, and patrons in their own right. This course explores the political, social, and religious concerns of the Burgundians through the various works of art they commissioned from the likes of Claus Sluter, Jan van Eyck, and Rogier van der Weyden. Prerequisites: Completion of one course in Art History, or sophomore standing, or consent of instructor.