For much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Paris was the cosmopolitan center of the West, bringing artists together from around the globe to partake in an unprecedented cultural exchange. Students devote themselves to recapturing this unique moment in time as they visit the masterpieces, museums, and architectural monuments of the French capital. The program addresses the rise and fall of the European avant-garde in the city that gave birth to the very concept of radical art. From the moment of its conception following the French Revolution to its abrupt collapse during World War II, the Parisian avant-garde included some of the most important artists of the modern era, including Manet, Monet, Picasso and the surrealists using the city’s unparalleled cultural resources, participants consider how and why art changed so dramatically in the modern age. The classroom is the City of Light itself, with on-site lectures and discussions in such major museums as the Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Centre Georges Pompidou. Other key locations include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Musée Picasso. Field trips are conducted to such historic locations as Chartres, Versailles, and Chantilly.
Eligibility
This program is open to all students who are interested in studying the art and museums of Paris. ARH 3057 History & Criticism of Art II is strongly recommended before departure.
Housing
Students are housed in comfortable accommodation in Cité Universitaire, an international campus built and maintained by countries from all over the world. Students may prepare meals in shared kitchens or take inexpensive, three-course meals in the university dining rooms. Note: Housing arrangements are subject to change.
Areas of Study:
•Art Criticism
•Museum Studies
