Five gems of Northern Italy: Ravenna, Ferrara, Parma, Mantua and Sabbionetta

Northern Italy is home to remarkable cities of culture, each with distinctive artistic and architectural traditions. In this course we examine five of these centres, understanding their history and government and highlighting important artists, artworks and buildings. We begin with the Early Christian and Byzantine centre of Ravenna, before moving on to Ferrara, ruled by the Este family; the much-contested city of Parma; and the Gonzaga cities of Mantua, home to the artist Mantegna; and finally, the ideal city of Sabbionetta, founded and constructed in the late 16th century.

Course details

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Start Date

12 Jul 2026

Duration

5 Sessions over one week

End Date

18 Jul 2026

Application Deadline

28 Jun 2026

Location

International Summer Programme

Code

W15Pm31

Tutors

Dr Sarah Pearson

University of Cambridge Professional and Continuing Education Teaching Associate in History of Art; Architectural Historian and Writer

Aims

This course aims to:

introduce five important centres of art and culture in Northern Italy
discuss artistic and architectural development in Italy looking at specific noble families, artists and artworks
examine the differences between styles using basic artistic and architectural terminology

Course content

Northern Italy offers some remarkable centres, some famous, some off the beaten track, but each with extraordinary architecture and artworks reflecting the culture of the location. An examination of each centre helps us to build a broader picture of the visual culture of Northern Italy and to understand how artistic production changed over time. In Ravenna we examine early Christian churches and discuss storytelling in religious mosaics. In Ferrara and Mantua we meet the Este and Gonzaga families who in a time of war sought to project an identity of culture, magnificence and impregnability. In Ferrara this manifested in the projection of courtly elegance whilst in Mantua humanism and education shaped the art of the city. We also meet the Farnese family who shaped Renaissance Parma and who, at the end of Renaissance period, constructed a new ‘perfect’ city in the form of Sabbionetta. In discussing the art and architecture of these centres you will become familiar with terminology and learn skills of visual analysis which can then be employed in the examination of any art and architecture. You will learn about key figures in each centre and will be able to understand their artistic production as a part of wider Europan visual culture.

What to expect on this course

Teaching will take the form of illustrated slides with a strong element of discussion. Each session will focus on a different centre immersing us in the art and architecture of the location. You are encouraged to ask questions and share your response to the artworks and architecture we encounter.

Course sessions

1. Ravenna – Early Christian mosaics and magnificence
2. Ferrara – Chivalric Elegance at the Este Court
3. Parma – Education and theatre in the home of the Farnese
4. Mantua – Power and propaganda in a Humanist court

5. Sabbionetta – The perfect Renaissance new town

Learning outcomes

As a result of the course, you will gain a greater understanding of the subject and you should be able to:

identify key buildings and artists in the courts of Northern Italy
understand how the history and culture of Northern Italy shaped artistic and architectural development
talk confidently about art and architecture using appropriate terminology

Required reading:

The online resource from the Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/-/media/files/learn/for-educators/publications-for-educators/renaissance.pdf The expectation is not that it will be read in total, but used as a resource to dip-in to areas of interest.