Curriculum
The course curriculum for Masterpieces of French Art covers a large period, from the 17th century to the early twentieth century in order to give students a strong foundation in the major developments in France.
Classes are run from Monday to Thursday to allow students time to discover Paris and its environs on their own or to take part in our two day-long excursions to the royal chateau of Fontainebleau and to Monet’s gardens at Giverny.
Included in the program are special events at galleries, welcome and farewell dinners and a scenic boat ride on the Seine.
CURRICULUM DETAILS
Each class consists of two background lectures and two visits. Students can take all three courses, or choose from the following:
French Language - 4 ECTS (32 hours)
Mornings; Monday – Thursday
- French for Beginners (100)
- Advanced Beginner (101)
- Intermediate (201)
Masterpieces of French Art - 4 ECTS (34 hours)
Late morning lectures Mondays & Wednesdays; afternoon site visits
- Week 1: The Ancien Regime – Louis XIV & The Art / French art in the 18th Century: Visits to the Louvre and the Jacquemart-André Museum (a 19th century evocation of the ancient regime)
- Week 2: the Arts of the 19th Century – The Age of the Romantics / Realism & the reform of Art: Visits to the Musée Delacroix and Musée d’Orsay
- Week 3: Paris & the Beginnings of Modern Art – The Impressionists & their Successors / The Beginning of the Modern: Visits to the Musée Marmottan, Orangerie and Centre Pompidou
- Week 4: Modern and Contemporary Movements – Paris between the Wars / Contemporary Paris: Visits to Centre Pompidou.
The Art Market in Paris - 4 ECTS (34 hours)
Late morning lectures Tuesdays & Thursdays; afternoon site visits
- Week 1: The Salon and the End of the Salon Monopoly / The Rise of the Dealer from the 19th to 21st Century: Visits to the Musée Carnavelet; walking tour of 19th century gallerist shops; contemporary dealers on the left bank
- Week 2: The state as the main collector and patron of contemporary art: the Salon in Paris: Musée d'Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris. The French State and the development of the private market: the second Empire / Goupil. Visit: Opéra Garnier
- Week 3: The rise of the Dealer: The Impressionists / Durand-Ruel, Orsay (and his donators): the first collectors of Impressionist. The market at the crossroads: international exhibitions and dealers (Vollard/ Kahnweiller)
Visit: coll. Paul Guillaume at the Orangerie International collectors of the avant-garde in Paris: from Impressionism to Fauvism - Week 4: Collecting primitive arts: the pioneers (Paul Guillaume, Barnes in Paris, artists). A contemporary collection at the Louis Vuitton foundation. A new generation of dealers: Denise René and Iris Clert.
Visit: Denise René gallery, Jean Fournier - A market after American monopoly ? French dealers and collectors today. Visit: Société Générale.
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