Tuesday, June 10, 4 – 6pm
Henri Matisse. Seated Riffian (detail), 1912. The Barnes Foundation, BF264. Public Domain.
$90; members $81
(two-hour workshop)
About the Class
Henri Matisse spent the winters of 1912 and 1913 painting in Tangier, Morocco. He traveled there for the sublime light and the tradition of Islamic art and to work out his distinctive artistic vision away from the cubism that dominated Paris. While most of the works he painted in Tangier went to private collections in Moscow, one of the finest examples hangs in the Main Gallery at the Barnes—The Seated Riffian.
The portrait will be the focus of this workshop led by Jeff Koehler, author of Matisse in Morocco: A Journey of Light and Color. Close looking will reveal surprising details about how the most imposing painting of Matisse’s career came about and how profoundly the artist’s time in Morocco influenced the rest of his life. The course is co-taught by Martha Lucy, deputy director for research, interpretation and education at the Barnes.
Capacity: 60
Barnes classes will:
- Sharpen your observational and critical thinking skills.
- Improve your ability to communicate about art.
- Deepen your appreciation for cultures and histories outside your own.
Instructor
Jeff Koehler
Koehler is a Barcelona-based American writer and author. His books have won several honors, including a James Beard Award, and been named in “best of” lists by the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, Mother Jones, and Entertainment Weekly. Koehler’s writing has also appeared in the Washington Post, NPR.org, Wall Street Journal, Times Literary Supplement, South China Morning Post, and Vogue Arabia. Photo by Maia Koehler
Martha Lucy
Lucy is the deputy director for research, interpretation and education at the Barnes. As an art historian, she specializes in modern European art and visual culture. She is the coauthor of Renoir in the Barnes Foundation and has published articles and essays on topics ranging from the early charcoals of Odilon Redon to contemporary installation art.
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“Kaelin got us involved in the conversation in a way that made it engaging and fun. I learned so much and didn’t feel like I was just being lectured at the whole time. The class was well paced and covered the basics without oversimplification.” The Language of Painting with Kaelin Jewell
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“The instructor was amazing! She was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, funny, and open to questions. She brought in outside resources and made herself available via email for questions between classes. I would take anything she teaches.” The Impressionists: Friends and Family with Caterina Pierre
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