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Realism to Post-Impressionism: Painting in Nineteenth-Century France - HOA00070I

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  • Department: History of Art
  • Module co-ordinator: Dr. Luke Uglow
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: I
  • Academic year of delivery: 2021-22

Module summary

This course examines the history of painting in France from the 1848 revolution to the end of the nineteenth century.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Autumn Term 2021-22

Module aims

This course examines the history of painting in France from the 1848 revolution to the end of the nineteenth century. One of the most famous and influential periods in the history of art, the module is structured around case studies of specific works which will be analysed within their original social, political and cultural context, while also considering the history of their reception through the twentieth century. Focused primarily on the three key movements of Realism, Impressionism and Post-Impressionism, the course will also consider the practice of academic painting during this period. Interrogating notions such as modernism and modernity, tradition and the avant-garde, gender and the city, the course will reassess our understanding of artistic practice in this period, and question the significance of canonised artists from Gustave Courbet to Paul Cézanne.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should have acquired:

  • Knowledge of the history of French painting from 1848 to 1900
  • Understanding of the artists' social and political context
  • Critical appreciation of the works' reception history 

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Realism to Post-Impressionism Assessed Essay		 N/A 100

Special assessment rules

None

Reassessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Realism to Post-Impressionism Assessed Essay		 N/A 100

Module feedback

Students will receive feedback on their assessed formative work within one week.

Students will receive feedback on their assessed summative work within 20 working days.

Indicative reading

  • Clark, T.J., The Painting of Modern Life: Paris in the Art of Manet and his Followers, 1985
  • Eisenman, S., and Crow, T. E., Nineteenth Century Art: A Critical History, 2002
  • Frascina, F., et al., Modernity and Modernism: French Painting in the Nineteenth Century, 1993
  • Loyrette., H., and Allard, S., Nineteenth-Century French Art: From Romanticism to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism and Art Nouveau, 2007
  • Rubin, J., Impressionism and the Modern Landscape: Productivity, Technology, and Urbanization from Manet to Van Gogh, 2008
  • Thomson, R., Art of the Actual: Naturalism and Style in Early Third Republic France, 1880-1900, 2012


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.