FYS498

In the seventeenth century, commonplace books were known as a silva rerum-a forest of things-made by transcribing passages of texts into a personal book, usually with annotations. In this seminar students read, write, collect, and draw. Each student makes a commonplace book of their own by annotating, by hand, a collection of writing. They study anthologies of handwritten illustrated letters, artists’ sketchbooks and diaries, and facsimiles of commonplace books. With its emphasis on sketchbooks, drawing, and handwritten work, this seminar fulfills the drawing prerequisite for courses in studio art.