Mondays, April 28 – May 19, 2 – 4pm
Pierre-Auguste Renoir. In Brittany (detail), 1886. The Barnes Foundation, BF161. Public Domain.
$220; members $198
(4 classes)
About the Class
Gardens are abundant in French paintings of the late 19th century, especially in the work of the impressionists and post-impressionists. This course, co-taught by a horticulturist and an art historian, begins by exploring the cultural and historical significance of gardens during the impressionist era, considering how these spaces served as both personal retreats and symbols of modern leisure. Then, looking closely at works by Monet, Renoir, Pissarro, Cézanne, and Van Gogh, we’ll identify the types of gardens and plantings we see depicted and discuss how they are translated onto canvas. How does painterly technique change from garden to garden, and across different flower varieties? How might 19th-century French garden design—especially the approach to texture and color theory—have influenced the impressionists?
This four-week course includes an optional trip to Chanticleer Garden in Wayne, PA, at an extra cost.
The class is online-only. More about online classes.
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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.
This class is offered in partnership with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society:
Instructors
Andrew Bunting
Bunting is the vice president of horticulture at the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society. He received a BS in plant and soil science from Southern Illinois University. Prior to arriving at PHS, Bunting worked at the Chicago Botanic Garden and Chanticleer Garden and spent 27 years at the Scott Arboretum. He serves on the board of Magnolia Society International and is the author of The Plant Lover’s Guide to Magnolias.
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.
Recent Barnes Class Testimonials
“Naina Saligram is the professor everyone hopes to have. She is knowledgeable and open to listening to her students.” The Classical Tradition in Modern Art with Naina Saligram
“Joe Tokumasu Field was a wonderful instructor—very patient, caring, and skilled at interacting with students’ questions and comments.” The Japanese American Century with Joseph Tokumasu Field
“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
“I love these close-looking classes; [it’s great] to see the details of each painting and to have an instructor lead our eyes in how best to look at a work of art.” Close-Looking Immersion: Glackens’s The Raft with William Perthes
“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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The course delves into Gauguin’s style, subject matter, and problematic legacy. Instructor: Christa DiMarco
Close-Looking Immersion: Van Gogh’s The Postman
Our 90-minute immersions provide opportunities to study and discuss individual works. Instructor: Kaelin Jewell