Bologna la dotta: The University and the Visual Arts in the Age of the Bentivoglio, 1463–1512

Late Quattrocento Bologna emerged as a unique center of artistic expression, where the city's ancient university became a catalytic force for visual culture. Through collaborative efforts between artists and scholars, a distinct Bolognese iconographic tradition developed, celebrating the scholar as both an heir to ancient knowledge and a nurturer of future generations. This study reveals how artists like Francesco Francia, Lorenzo Costa, Marcantonio Raimondi, and Amico Aspertini engaged with university discourse, integrating humanist literature, city chronicles, and scholarly treatises into their works. The research employs iconographic analysis alongside historical and literary sources to demonstrate the deep interconnection between picture-making and academic scholarship during the Bentivoglio era (1463–1512).

Paganussi, C. E. (2021). Bologna la dotta: The University and the Visual Arts in the Age of the Bentivoglio, 1463–1512 [Digital Repository at the University of Maryland]. https://doi.org/10.13016/WZVY-2DY5