Wednesdays, November 19 – December 17, 6 – 8pm
Chaïm Soutine. The Pastry Chef (detail), c. 1919. The Barnes Foundation, BF442. Public Domain.
$220; members $198
(4 classes; no class Nov. 26)
About the Class
What do a buttery brioche, a bustling market, and a butchered rabbit have in common? In this delectable course, we will explore how artists like Manet, Monet, Renoir, and Soutine absorbed French dining practices, quintessential Parisian dishes, and decadent confections into their modernist vocabularies. We’ll begin in the 17th century with a discussion of royal gastronomy and how early cookbooks codified traditional French recipes. From there, we’ll trace the evolution of the modern-day restaurant, exploring how a refined food culture became increasingly accessible during the 19th century through bakeries and public markets. Painters like Manet and Renoir captured this evolution: food, and its consumption, became both a central aspect of public life and an important theme in modern painting. Learn how brioche, eclairs, asparagus, and butchered rabbits were loaded with meanings about class, taste, and national pride.
The class is online-only. More about online classes.
Already registered? Log in to Barnes Learning.
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.
Instructor
Christa DiMarco
DiMarco is an art historian specializing in 19th-century European painting, with a focus on Vincent van Gogh’s two-year stay in Paris. Her recent essays include “Van Gogh’s Parisian Gardens on the Butte Montmartre,” published in Nineteenth Century Studies (Penn State University Press), and “Marginal Space: Van Gogh’s and Signac’s Parisian Industrial Landscapes” in Perspective: Selected Essays on Space in Art and Design (Vernon Press).
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
Go Further
Primitivism and Modern Art
Learn about the concept of primitivism and its enormous role in modern European and American art. Instructor: Alison Boyd
Close-Looking Immersion: Persian Manuscript Rustam Lifts Qanun from His Horse
Immerse yourself in a tiny 16th-century Persian manuscript from the Barnes collection. Instructor: Naina Saligram
The Garden Design of Piet Oudolf
Explore the naturalistic design philosophy of Piet Oudolf, whose iconic projects include New York’s High Line and the newly planted Calder Gardens. Instructors: Erin Monda, Andrew Bunting