Paris Art Studies

The Rue Saint-Denis connected the food market (Les Halles) of old Paris to the north: to the wealthy royal abbey of Saint-Denis and beyond to the commercial centers of the Netherlands. In our visit we will evoke the history of the medieval city on the right bank founded in the 12th century and the story of les Halles from its foundation to its demolition. We will focus on the historic architecture of the street, notably merchants’ and bourgeois houses and shops from all periods: A Renaissance fountain, Louis XIV housing, Rococo and French Revolutionary fronts and the 19th century demolitions and reconstructions of baron Haussmann. Our walk will lead us through the traditional red-light and garment districts at the upper end of the street to the great baroque gate built for Louis XIV, the Porte Saint-Denis. We will end our walk in the old “suburbs” of the 17th century city, the teeming Faubourg Saint-Denis near the Gare de l’Est.

Place: Meet in front of fountain of Saint-Innocents in open square

(seen in the image above)

at corner of rues Berger and Saint-Denis 75001.

Métros: Chatêlet or Les Halles (lines 1 and 4, RER A and B)

Time: 10:15 am for a 10:30 start.

Course Fee: 25€ for a single class

Friday, June 26, 10:30 am – 12 noon:

Louvre visit: Poussin and French Classicism

Last class of Great Masters of European Art: Part V

Program continues in the autumn with Boucher, Watteau and Chardin

The genius of French painting of the middle of the 17th century is undoubtedly Nicolas Poussin. Born in Normandy and trained in Paris he followed a trajectory opposite to Vouet’s by settling early on in his career in Rome. He returned only once to Paris pressed by Cardinal Richelieu in the 1640’s but soon left again for his beloved Rome and profiting from the Cardinal’s death never set foot in France again.

His art, nevertheless, had the greatest impact on the course of French painting than that of any other contemporary and became a model to be respected and studied until the early 20th century.

His poetic and philosophical approach to art, the beauty and intellectual complexity of his subjects taken from mythology, Roman history and the Bible, his sensuous handling of color and light and also his superb contemplative landscapes make him the great Classical master in the baroque age.

Place: Meet under the pyramid by the information desk with ticket in hand.

Métros: Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre (line 1)

Time: 10:15 am for a 10:30 start.

Course Fee: 25€ for a single class

To register please email or call: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or tel 06 86 58 98 09

Please note: Museum admissions are additional to course fees. Exact change is appreciated.

Nota Bene: Paris Art Studies suggests that you call or email in advance for all courseregistrations. Unannounced arrivals can be refused if the class is full.

Paris Art Studies at Galerie Beckel Odille Boïcos

1, rue Jacques Cœur 75004 Paris.

Métro: Bastille – exit blvd Henri IV. Telephone: 06 86 58 98 09

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Website: www.parisartstudies.com

Great Masters

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French Film