This seminar explores French painting of the Ancien Regime (from the foundation of the Royal Academy in 1648 to the French Revolution) through an examination of the principal secondary texts that have been written since the middle of the nineteenth century. Beginning with the celebrated essays by Edmond and Jules de Goncourts through Locquin to recent synthetic accounts by Fried, Bryson, Crow, and others, the course will explore the various strategies through which critics have sought to explain the art of Watteau, Boucher, Chardin, Vernet, Fragonard, Greuze, David, and others. Student work will be evaluated on the basis of weekly presentations, a seminar report, and final papers. Reading knowledge of French required. Enrollment limit: 12.

RAND