This course is a journey of discovery through the history, art and architecture of Paris, a city renowned throughout the world as the city of love, the city of light and the city of elegance and style. The last 300 years have seen a series of dramatic and often traumatic passages in the lives of Parisians, their royal, military and political leaders, and their cultural icons. The course starts with an overview of this history, which sets the context for the main study of the changing cultural scene of France in the fields of art and architecture. Examples of the topics to be covered in the art history include the works of the Romantic, Realist and Impressionist artists. In architecture, the course includes a study of the impact on Paris of the two Napoleons, and then the Beaux Arts style of the Belle Epoque and the revolutionary Art Nouveau movement. Finally, the art displayed in the Metro stations provides a local Parisian perspective on its history and its great cultural heritage.
Course aim
To provide an insight into the turbulent history, world-famous art and glorious architecture of Paris, concluding with the development and architecture of the famous Metro, where art installations celebrate Parisian history, creativity and style.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- Locate the resting places of the four Napoleons of France, two now in England and two in France.
- Assess the importance of the Franco-German war of 1870 in changing the balance of power in Europe.
- Describe the characteristics of the work of two of the French Impressionists, and cite one major work for each.
- Describe the different architectural styles of the two major Opera Houses of Paris, the Garnier and the Bastille.
- Name the Paris Metro station that is a full-scale replica model of Jules Verne's submarine Nautilus.
What else do I need to know?
- All materials will be provided - It would be helpful if you had access to the internet (Mobile phone, tablet or computer at home or through a library etc.) - Handouts will be provided to each student containing relevant reference material.
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