ARTH-3451 Impressionism and the Avant-Garde

"Impressionism" is among the most recognized and adored styles of painting, and has come to dominate the landscape of modern art in terms of market value, critical approval, and popular reception. But its history tells a more complex story: one of the movement's avant-garde origins and its affiliation with radical politics (critics first named the group--which including artists such as Monet, Renoir, and Cézanne--the "Intransigents"). This course investigates a century's historical transformation from the perspective of the visual arts in order to provide a framework for understanding modern art. Prerequisite: Completion of one course in Art History, or sophomore standing, or consent of instructor.