Libri al museo: Cenerentola a scuola e La Storia dell'Arte come disciplina scolastica

As part of the Libri al museo - Books at the Museum initiative, Palazzo Braschi is hosting the presentation of two volumes on the teaching of art history in high schools: Cenerentola a scuola. Il dibattito sull’insegnamento della storia dell’arte nei licei (1900-1943) by Susanne Adina Meyer; and La Storia dell'Arte come disciplina scolastica. Dal primo Novecento al secondo dopoguerra by Roberto Sani. 

Susanne Adina Meyer’s work traces the origins and early development of the teaching of art history in high schools, reconstructing the lively debate that, from the early 20th century until World War II, involved art historians, artists, politicians, teachers, pedagogists and schoolmen around its introduction, purpose and characteristics. Officially introduced in 1923, the discipline was so opposed during the two decades of Fascism that it was called the “Cinderella” of the Italian school.

Roberto Sani’s book, on the other hand, starts from the end of the 19th century and arrives up to 1968s. It offers an articulated approach to the subject, within which it is possible to identify three distinct levels of analysis. One concerns the theoretical debate on the approach and the basic characteristics to be attributed to such teaching; a second one relates to school regulations, to the various provisions, training and recruitment of teachers; and, finally, the last analyzes the social significance and cultural purposes that, historically, have been attributed to the school teaching of Art History.

In addition to the authors, speakers at the debate will include Ilaria Miarelli Mariani - Director of the Civic Museums Department of the Capitoline Superintendency; Orietta Rossi Pinelli - Professor Sapienza University of Rome; Lorenzo Cantatore - Professor University of Roma Tre.