OSHER 195 - Portraiture in the 19th Century: France, Britain, and America

This course will look in depth at a variety of important portraits, comparing and contrasting works from six different artistic movements, from Neoclassicism and Romanticism up to Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and the Pre-Raphaelites. Close examination and group discussion will discover: Who made the portraits and why? Who was the sitter? What role did portraiture play in people’s lives? How did artists convey insight into their sitter’s character and personality? How does the role of the artist change with the Industrial Revolution and the development of photography? What intriguing stories can art conservators tell us about the materials and techniques artist used? We will focus on portraits in New York, London, and Paris museum collections.