William Glackens. Washington Square (detail), c. 1910. The Barnes Foundation, BF696. © 2026 Estate of William James Glackens
About the Series
Join Barnes educators and scholars this October for a series of online classes exploring four artists whose work transformed the course of American art.
From the international career of James McNeill Whistler to the singular vision of Mary Cassatt, from Thomas Eakins’s Philadelphia realism to Aaron Douglas’s Harlem Renaissance modernism, these courses examine how artists responded to changing ideas about identity, culture, and artistic expression.
Through close looking, discussion, and historical context, you’ll engage deeply with the people, places, and ideas that continue to shape conversations about American art today.
All classes meet online and consist of four live sessions. Classes are recorded and can be accessed later on demand. Space is limited; registration is required.
Save 20% when you register for all four courses.
Featured Classes
Mondays, October 5 – 26, 2 – 4pm
Born in America and shaped by artistic life in Paris and London, James McNeill Whistler became one of the defining figures of 19th-century modernism. Explore the international artistic exchanges that informed his work and consider how he challenged conventional ideas about beauty, atmosphere, and artistic identity. Instructor: Suzanne Singletary
James McNeill Whistler. Symphony in White, No. 1: The White Girl (detail), 1861–63, 1872. National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. Harris Whittemore Collection
Mondays, October 5 – 26, 6 – 8pm
Working in Paris at the center of modern art, Mary Cassatt developed a deeply personal artistic language that challenged expectations surrounding gender, domesticity, and artistic ambition. Through close looking and discussion, explore the innovations and enduring relevance of one of America’s most celebrated artists. Instructor: Larissa Bailiff
Mary Stevenson Cassatt. Little Girl in a Blue Armchair (detail), 1878. National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC. Collection of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon
Wednesdays, October 7 – 28, 6 – 8pm
Deeply connected to Philadelphia, Thomas Eakins transformed American realism through his commitment to observation, anatomy, and lived experience. Examine the paintings, photographs, and drawings that continue to shape how we understand realism, representation, and American life. Instructor: Lea Stephenson
Thomas Eakins. Portrait of Dr. Samuel D. Gross (The Gross Clinic) (detail), 1875. Gift of the Alumni Association to Jefferson Medical College, 1878. Purchased by the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, 2007
Fridays, October 9 – 30, 1 – 3pm
Aaron Douglas helped define the visual language of the Harlem Renaissance through a distinctive synthesis of modernism, African artistic traditions, and African American history. Explore his work and his formative connection to the Barnes Foundation, where he studied as a fellow in 1928. Instructor: Alison Boyd
Aaron Douglas. Aspects of Negro Life: From Slavery to Reconstruction (detail), 1934. New York Public Library. Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, Art and Artifacts Division
Why Study with the Barnes?
The Barnes approaches art through close observation, conversation, and inquiry. Rather than focusing on a single interpretation, our classes encourage participants to draw connections, consider multiple perspectives, and deepen their understanding through active engagement.
Whether you’re new to art history or a lifelong learner, these online courses offer an opportunity to spend meaningful time with extraordinary works of art and the ideas that shaped them.
Go Further
August Spotlight Tour: The Americans
Discover the diverse array of American works in Dr. Barnes’s ensembles—paintings, pottery, furniture, and more.
September Spotlight Tour: Firestorm! Outrage! Dr. Barnes’s Scandalous 1923 Philadelphia Exhibition
Revisit the critically panned show that pitted Dr. Barnes against Philadelphia’s elite, and see which works remain in the collection.
Noguchi to Asawa: Designing Postwar America
Iconic sculpture and design by two generations of Japanese American artists.