University of Texas at Austin: Learning Tuscany

In Italian culture, life and art are inseparable. Countless examples illustrate this: the still-life quality of window displays in Florence, the artisanal care taken by a Sienese stoneworker replacing part of a medieval byway, the sculpted harmony of the Tuscan countryside. We cannot experience these essential qualities of Italian life in a classroom. Only with time and careful observation can we begin to absorb the richness and rhythm of life, and art, in Italy. This program focuses on the art and architecture of Tuscany and central Italy. Students live in the historic facility of Santa Chiara in the town of Castiglion Fiorentino. They take an art history course and a studio course taught by UT faculty. The courses focus on art and experience. Visits to other cities such as Florence, Siena, and Rome serve to frame student experiences within a broader view of Italy. An integrated approach balances these visits with individual and small group work in order to explore the forces that shaped Italy.