This class engages with the long history of triumphs in art, architecture, music, ritual, theory, religious studies, and general political iconography. Responding to the distribution of students’ interests, the class will focus on the late medieval / early modern, nineteenth and early twentieth century, and present-day components of triumphs. We will discuss historical triumphal gestures in the form of monuments, processions, and iconographies from ancient Roman triumphs to the present day in a global framework. Stations of this cultural history investigation include the ancient Roman arches and their relief decoration, booty and spolia, the Christian medieval “triumph of humility,” triumphs in literature (Dante, Petrarch, Boccaccio), the imagery of Renaissance and early modern triumphs in print and painting (Mantegna, Dürer, Rubens), the Latino tradition of religious processions, later operatic adaptations, Fascist triumphal imagery, and other modern examples of triumphs and reversals in contemporary Italian cinema such as in Roberto Benigni’s La vita è bella. If requested, an additional film studies component includes Monuments Men and Quentin Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds.

Conducted in English, the class is open to majors from all fields. No previous art history or literature history preparation required. Italian and other non-English texts (such as French, Spanish,and German) will be introduced on a basic level as desired by the students. This course is designed to connect with other and further studies in broad fields including but not limited to Medieval Studies, Renaissance & Early Modern Studies, critical theory, interdisciplinary studies, and literature studies. Students from all backgrounds are welcome; please email Prof. Lange to discuss your interest in the course and potential adjustments for majors outside the arts and humanities.