Europe of the Empires: The Arts of the Nineteenth Century

If you are fascinated by art, history, literature and opera join us at THE COURSE. Founded in 1994, we offer stimulating lecture programmes taught by well-known lecturers and subject specialists. With small, informal and friendly groups you will have the opportunity to socialise and exchange ideas with like-minded people.

Europe of the Empires: The Arts of the Nineteenth Century

In this series we will examine the decades between the collapse of the ‘Ancien Regime’ and the ravages of a 25 year war, the “Long 19th Century” which took us to the outbreak of a very different war in 1914, in a very different world. The course will examine the expression of change in the arts – from Goya in Spain, Blake in England and the Impressionists in France. As Empires expanded we will look at the impact of trade and new materials and of new and exotic influences on artists from Delacroix to Picasso.

In “The Democratisation of Art” we will examine how most of the art we consider reflects a wealthy, often aristocratic lifestyle; the life of the middle let alone working class was too often left un-illustrated. With the growth of the bourgeoisie and arrival of new technologies, there was increased choice at more accessible cost. Shops and shopping catalogues, the Palm House at Kew, Wedgwood and the birth of photography brought together new opportunities, materials and consumers.