Looking at Pictures - Art in France #1

In 2025, ahead of our soon to be announced travel study in Paris this autumn, we continue Sean Forester’s Looking at Pictures Salon with two new studies focusing on 19th century art in France. Walking through the halls of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay we see masterpieces by David and Ingres, Gericault and Delacroix, Courbet and Manet, Monet and Degas. What a fascinating range of styles and techniques! With the political and social tumult that characterised 19th century France, art movements followed fast upon one another: Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism. Participants will explore all of this together, discussing both the formal qualities and the emotions and ideas to be found in these remarkable works of art.  

Part I: Art in France 1780-1870

Kenneth Clark was one of the great art critics of the last century, and we will take The Romantic Rebellion: Romantic Versus Classic Art as our text. The topics of our meetings will be: 

1.  David 
2.  Ingres, Raphael
3.  Gericault 
4.  Delacroix, Goya 
5.  Turner, Corot, The Barbizon School
6.  Millet, Courbet, Bastien-Lepage

  N.B. We will also discuss Neoclassical and Romantic sculpture.

JOINING DETAILS:

• Six-week study on Zoom led by Sean Forester
• Thursdays, 4.00-6.00pm (UK)
• 20, 27 February, 6,13, 20, 27 March 2025
• Reference text: The Romantic Rebellion: Romantic Versus Classic Art by Kenneth Clarke is currently out of print but second-hand copies are available to purchase online.
• £180 for six meetings