Draft for the new Level 2 Nineteenth Century French topic:

This suggested programme is divided into 9 modules. 6 of these are the currently taught
part of this course. This means that 3 new modules have been added to make up a year
long course.
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This programme does not refer to teaching strategies or internal assessment activities.
Term One:
Unit One – Four Weeks
Background to the Nineteenth Century – A Time of huge technological, political and social change.
Duration: Four Weeks

Overview of the nineteenth century – a presentation showing a selection of images from
Neoclassicism through to Post- Impressionism - looking specifically at artistic style and
subject matter (2.1 and 2.2). This would be illustrated through examples of paintings but
could also include one or two sculptures (Canova and Rodin) and some architecture eg. Arc
de Triomphe to show revival of classical style.

Students could do a group activity covering each of the C19th topics researching a
selection of art works and artists.

The changing world of the Nineteenth Century – 2.3
Again, looking at the century holistically from a thematic perspective showing the links
between painting, sculpture and architecture and showing how inspiration for the art works
came as a response from the rapidly changing environment that existed in France at the
time.
o
Technological, Cultural. Political and Social Change -
- the growth of transportation and the urban environment – growth of cities
and the changing style of architecture – the revival of classical style and growth of Paris
- Invention and new technologies
- Social and cultural customs and fashion – the world of Versailles – the film
‘Marie Antoinette’ .
- Ideas about the Revolution – Napoleon and Paris as the new Rome –
‘Engineering Empires’ TV series and clips from You Tube.
- Industrial Revolution – the growth of the working class
Unit Two – Three Weeks
Neoclassicism:

Study of art works by David and Ingres – formal elements and subject matter – 2.1 and 2.2.
Elements of style and meaning/significance of the themes and subjects.

Architecture and Sculpture – 2.3.
Looking at structures such as L’Arc de Triomphe and the Pantheon along with Canova sculpture
portraits – ie. the similarities between Pauline Bonaparte and David’s Madame Recamier.
Unit Three – Three Weeks
Romanticism:

Study of art works by Gericault and Delacroix – formal elements and subject matter – 2.1
and 2.2 – the various themes and subjects within Romantic art.

Architecture and Sculpture - Westminster Parliament , in terms of meanings and context
(DVD series – How We Built Britain – Episode 5) also clips on You Tube).
Napoleon - the depictions of him as both a classical and a romantic hero.
Term Two:
Unit Four – Four Weeks
Realism and the Barbizons:
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Study of art works by Goya, Daumier, Courbet, Millet, Corot and Rousseau – formal
elements and subject matter – the depiction of the working class and the beginnings of plein
air painting within the traditions of landscape – 2.1 and 2.2.
Unit Five – Three Weeks
Modern Technology and Modernity:
An overview of technological progress, building on from railways introduced as seen in works such
as Daumier’s Third Class Carriage.
The St Pancras train shed, the Crystal Palace and The Great Exhibition of 1851 can be used as a
focus for new technology (iron and steel and glass) and for new manufacturing and mass production
and shopping .
The emergence of middle and urban working classes and urbanisation seen in the traditions of
Realism.
The Eiffel Tower and the 1889 La Grande Exposition in Paris celebrated French technological
progress, also electricity and bright lights – Paris became the city of light. Both exhibitions had big
colonial sections – reflected their empires and Perry’s opening up of Japan in 1853.
Brief overview of the influence of non-western art – bright coloured silks etc from Indochina,
Japanese prints and interest in orientalism and primitivism seen in art.
Unit Six – Two Weeks
Manet and the Salon des Refuses:

The study of key works by Manet and his importance as an artist who worked
independently and challenged academic art – 2.1 and 2.2 – style and subject matter.

Salon des Refuses 1863 – the turning point for C19th French art – 2.3
Term Three:
Unit Seven – Three Weeks
Impressionism:

The study of a selection of Impressionist works – Monet, Renoir, Degas, Cassatt, looking at
style and subject matter – painting outdoors and the treatment of the figure – 2.1 and 2.2 –
ideas on colour, the effects of atmosphere, movement and photography.

The Impressionist Exhibition, 1872 and its impact on C19th art – 2.2 and 2.3
Unit Eight – Four Weeks
Post Impressionism:
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The unique style of five individual artists – Seurat, Gauguin, Cezanne, Van Gogh and
Toulouse Lautrec and their contribution to C20th art – 2.1 and 2.2
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Colour theory, symbolism and beginnings of expressionism. Art at the turn of the century –
2.2 and 2.3.
Unit Nine – Three Weeks
Art Nouveau:
The Eiffel Tower showed that modern technology could be beautiful. Its curving silhouette linked to
the new art – a modern and original style for the new modern age.
The Hotel Tassel – an apartment building for the upper class – decorative use of new material – iron
and glass , Guimard’s Metro signage used this new style to encourage people to use the modern
metro, became the style of gay Paris and is still associated with Paris stereotypes in tourism
Cheret’s modern lithographic process encouraged posters – affordable art for the masses. Used by
Toulouse Lautrec for advertising and to depict the modern city world of entertainment. Ushers in
modern field of design
Useful website for Cheret http://www.yaneff.com/html/history/history.html
(If time could look at Rene Lalique’s exhibits in Grande Exposition – Art Nouveau jewellery and
decorative objects, could provide a link to L3 Modernism because his Art Deco works in 1925 Paris
Exhibition of Decorative Arts which established Art Deco and encouraged Sonia Delaunay’s
modernist designs)
Note: Selected works by Rodin will be incorporated mainly into contextual aspects rather than
studying specific stylistic features from his sculptures.
Term Four:
Four Weeks
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Continuation with Topic 9 if needed and revision before externals.