The Régime of Liberty: From Romanticism to Realism in 19th-c. European art

The controversial Realist painter Gustave Courbet (1819–1877) claimed to belong to no church, school, or académie, only the “régime of Liberty.” What do the artists Goya (1746–1828) in Spain and Courbet in France have in common? What social and political developments largely determined both the style of their works and their content? We will examine the main works of these artists to understand their insights into the enormous social and economic changes taking place in their respective societies, brought on by war and revolution. This period in art history serves as a prequel to the French Impressionist movement.

Instructor: Rhea Higgins

3 classes, Tuesdays, November 26, December 3, 10, 4:00–6:00 pm