Prof. Dorssemont Filip Paul Arthur
Language of teaching
English
Contents
This course examines representations of labour in Western Art (between 16th Century till the early 20th Century) from an iconological point of view. A number of selected issues will be analyzed. Whereas the period related to the Ancien Régime will be mainly analyzed from the perspective of the so-called Flemish School of Painters, the subsequent period of the XIXth Century will be analyzed from a broader European perspective.
Reference texts
The students will be provided with published or unpublished texts written by the teacher. These texts have been drafted or in English or in French or even in German. If materials have been drafted in French or German, the author will make a translation available to students. The students will also be informed of seminal publications related to the subjects.
Learning objectives
The Course has two objectives. It seeks to help students to get acquainted with the evolving
meaning of labour in western societies and with its representation in European art (between the XVth and the XXth century. The course seeks to develop a critical insight into major issues which are at stake in the employment relation, and which constitute what François Geny has called the “donné” prior to its legal construction. In other words, works of art help to visualize issues which are at stake in the employment relation. Hence critical art studies, based upon sound iconographical and iconological analysis can be helpful to identify issues which have always been at the heart of the employment relation.
Examples are legion: the issue of forced labour , the freedom to work, or the freedom from work, a culture of work ethics, issues of non discrimination of men and women, industrial disputes, group identity work accidents etc.
The course will help students to “read” and “understand” the intrinsic meaning of works of art, rather than as visual documents describing labour practices. They convey messages with regard to issues.
Prerequisites
The course can be followed by students which have had an introductory course in labour law or students who have had introductory courses in visual arts.
Teaching methods
The Course will be based upon ex cathedra teaching, supported by Power Point Presentations and by materials written by the teacher made available prior to the lessons. The teacher will use an interactive method based upon questions in relation to the images which will be projected and studied.
Methods of verifying learning
Practical exercises.