Visual Arts studies booking now:

We are delighted to announce the return of the LitSalon Short (occasional short single-session Salon studies provided free-of-charge on Zoom) with Sean Forester offering a preview for our autumn travel study in Paris which will combine an exploration of the art of the Belle Époque and the writing of Marcel Proust.

In advance of his second Looking at Pictures: Art in France study, Sean will give a one hour presentation on masterpieces by David, Ingres, Gericault, Manet, Monet and Degas that can be viewed at museums and galleries in the French capital, as well as introducing the work of women artists such Marie-Guillemine Benoist.

From Classicism and Romanticism, to Realism, Impressionism and Art Nouveau, the art of 19th century France has something for everyone! Join us if you are curious to know more, we will be delighted if you want to sign up for either study but there is no obligation to do so.

JOINING DETAILS:

• Single-session LitSalon Short presented by Sean Forester
• Sunday 27 April, 5.00-6.00 pm (BST) on Zoom
• Free tickets may be booked below
• Use the link here to share details of this study

In 2025, ahead of our five-day 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 II: Art in France 1870-1900 

The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism by Ross King gives a vivid picture of the Belle Epoque and the personalities of two very different artists: Ernest Meissonier and Edouard Manet. The topics of our meetings will be as follows: 

1.  Historical painting, Meissonier
2.  Realism and Naturalism 
3.  Monet and Impressionism 
4.  Manet, Degas
5.  Rodin and late 19th century sculpture  
6.  Women artists in Paris

JOINING DETAILS:

• Six-week study on Zoom led by Sean Forester
• Thursdays, 4.00-6.00 pm (UK)
• 15, 22, 29 May, 12,19, 26 June 2025 (N.B. no meeting on 5 June)
• Reference text: The Judgment of Paris: The Revolutionary Decade that Gave the World Impressionism by Ross King, ISBN-13‏: ‎ 978-1844134076
• £180 for six meetings

For September 2025, the London Literary Salon invites you to join a five-day study visiting the Paris of Proust and some of the most extraordinary visual artists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Beauty, visual art and sense of place are central to A la Recherche du Temps Perdu, and the novel truly comes alive in the author’s beloved Paris. This unique study will be most suitable for those who have read some or all of Proust, but if you are keen to join this trip and have not yet read any of the novel please contact us to discuss. Toby Brothers will lead our literary discussions and Sean Forester will guide the group as we look closely at painting and sculpture. From Classicism and Romanticism, to Realism, Impressionism and Art Nouveau, the art of 19th and early 20th century France has something for everyone!

Ahead of our visit to Paris (and great preparation for anyone considering joining us) Sean is leading two online studies on Art in France: Part 1 begins on 20 February, with Part 2 following in May (both can be booked separately). Toby will offer a special lecture and discussion Why Read Proust in 2025? and her next In Search of Lost Time study begins in September.

We will be based at the very lovely Proust-dedicated Hôtel Littéraire de Swann, where we have negotiated special rates for participants.

Please note that the hotel cost, travel and transport, food and drink are NOT included in the Salon price of £600 for the five-day visit.

In addition to discussions of the work of Marcel Proust in relation to Paris, we will have two sessions on French art as well as visits to the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Musée Rodin and Musée Carnavalet. We will keep you updated as we finalise our day-to-day programme, but we hope also to include either a visit to the Musée de l’Orangerie or a tour of the Opéra Garnier, and we will try to include a walk in the Jardin du Luxembourg and even a drawing lesson en plein air before we leave.

To get a flavour of previous Salon visits to Paris, read Sue Fox’s blog post about Proust in Paris with Toby in 2023!

JOINING DETAILS:

• Share details of this study using this link
• Five-day study in Paris led by Toby Brothers and Sean Forester
• 10-14 September 2025, £600.00 for the study and background notes
• Additional costs: participants are responsible for arranging and paying for their own travel and insurance, accommodation, food and drink. We have negotiated special rates at the hotel for Salon clients and we will arrange group bookings for entrance to museums and galleries which will be charged as extras before departure (at reduced rates wherever possible).
• Some knowledge of the work of Marcel Proust is required to enjoy the literary discussions, please email us if you are interested in joining but have not yet read In Search of Lost Time.
• Although not required, Sean Forester’s two-part Looking at Pictures: Art in France (Part 1 and Part 2) provides an invaluable introduction to this travel study.
• Payment: we understand that you may not want to pay the entire charge at once, so we ask for an initial (non-returnable) deposit of £50 on registration, followed by the balance of £550 by 31 May 2025.
• Refunds: please note that any refunds will be entirely at the discretion of the London Literary Salon, dependent on our ability to fill the place, and will be subject to a charge to cover our administration costs.