Exhibition Seminar: Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets

About the Class

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to spend focused, quality time in our fall exhibition, Henri Rousseau: A Painter’s Secrets. Led by Martha Lucy, the Barnes’s deputy director for research, interpretation and education—and a contributor to the exhibition catalogue—this seminar unpacks the artist’s wonderfully enigmatic imagery and seemingly “naive” approach. Surrounded by masterpieces from collections around the world, including the Museum of Modern Art’s Sleeping Gypsy, we’ll connect Rousseau’s work to contemporary discourses about “primitive” cultures and the relationship between humans and nature. We’ll also discuss why this self-taught artist became a hero to avant-garde contemporaries like Picasso and Apollinaire.

Capacity: 25 per session

This seminar is also offered February 3.

Barnes classes will:

• Sharpen your observational and critical thinking skills.
• Improve your ability to communicate about art.
• Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.

See all classes.

What Our Students Say

“The instructor was superb. Her level of expertise, along with enthusiasm for the subject, made the class what it was.” Close-Looking Immersion: Picasso’s “Violin, Sheet Music, and Bottle” with Naina Saligram

“Dr. Boyd’s knowledge, passion, and openness made her an excellent instructor for this course. It was well structured and beautifully taught!” Horace Pippin’s Modernism with Alison Boyd

“Dr. Galvez is a wonderful teacher—knowledgeable, knows how to teach the concepts, gives examples, explains concepts and ways of considering them while looking at a painting. He is open to questions and receives them with patience.” Chromophilia: Modern Art and the Re-Invention of Color with Paul Galvez

“Kaelin Jewell is amazing. She is engaging and super knowledgeable, and she clearly enjoys teaching.” Heaven on Earth: The Art of the Byzantine Empire with Kaelin Jewell

“The best class to understand the elements of art. The instructor’s expertise and warmth, along with the excellent discussions with my classmates, made it a truly wonderful experience.” The Elements of Art with Bill Perthes