COURSE DESCRIPTION

The fourteenth century was transformational for Florence. The city - one of the largest in Europe - was in the throws of a great cultural blossoming, seen in the art of Giotto and his followers, the literature of Boccaccio and Petrarch, and extensive building projects, such as the new cathedral. But the city was also turbulent: food shortages, political revolts, and banking disasters that precipitated economic crises all struck in the decades before the Black Death.

The plague was devastating. Some historians estimate that 50% of Florence’s population perished; the city was, after all, in the most densely populated part of Europe, and its merchant bankers had trading houses stretching from Bruges to the Bosphorus.

But the effects of the plague are sometimes surprising. This four part short course takes you into the Florence of the fourteenth century, showing you how people in one of Europe’s great cultural capitals responded to the fallout of the most devastating pandemic of the Middle Ages.

Course Content

Session 1: Florence before the Black Death

Before the Black Death, Florence was a thriving city from the construction of what was then the largest church in Europe, to the flourishing of painting led by Giotto and the creation of new literary genres by Petrarch and Boccaccio. But the city was also troubled by economic turbulence, such as the collapse of Bardi and Peruzzi banks when Edward III defaulted, chronic grain shortages in the 1320s, and sever flooding in the 1330s.

Session 2: Florence during the Black Death

In the 1340s, Florence was one of the most densely populated cities in western Europe and a major centre of trade. The Black Death would tear through the city, killing by some estimates more than 50% of the population. In this session we look at the arrival of and responses to the Black Death in Florence, from regulations to counter the plague, the dramatic increase in charitable activities (sometimes funded by the estates of those who died intestate), and the retreat to the hills to wait it out.

Session 3: Arts and literature after the plague

The effects of the plague on art and literature in Florence are an ongoing subject of debate among scholars. Some argue that the experience of the Black Death led to a type of ‘medievalism’ - abandonment of the most cutting edge art of 1330s in favour of a more conservative style. Others, by contrast, have argued that the loss of knowledge led to a type of stasis in the arts. Literature, however, tells a different story and the success of Boccaccio (who inspired Chaucer) and Petrarch, the creator of the sonnet, suggest that vibrance in the arts had not paused.

Session 4: The society of Florence on the eve of the Renaissance

In this final session, we look at the changes to Florentine society following the Black Death. Economically, the city didn’t fare too poorly - a shortage of labour drove wages up for the majority and the wealth of Florence merchant-banking families was held among fewer hands. The ambitions of working Florentines became clear in the 1370s and a wool carder, Michele di Lando, led a revolt seeking to enfranchise poorer workers. But this revolt was short lived and the upper class of Florence closed ranks, effectively monopolising power among a small group of families who would dominate politics for the next century.

LECTURER

Dr Nick Gordon is a cultural historian and holds a PhD in history from the University of Sydney. His research into medieval and Renaissance Europe has won numerous academic awards and scholarships, including the University Medal in history from the University of Sydney, and has been published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. Nick has over 15 years’ experience as a lecturer to university and public audiences.

COURSE STRUCTURE

4 x 1.5 hour sessions. Each session includes an interactive lecture and time for questions and discussion.

COURSE DATES

Wednesdays 10:00-11:30am

3 February 2021 | 10 February 2021 | 17 February 2021 | 24 February 2021

REQUIREMENTS

This course does not require any assumed knowledge, only a willingness to learn and an interest in art. Sessions require access to ZOOM (which is free), a device with a camera (such as a tablet or computer with a webcam), and an internet connection.

BOOKING

Please note that all times are in Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC +11)