Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.
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In the wake of World War I and the resolution of plague, we find the Lost Generation - the people who survived what felt like the apocalypse. In their world of uncertainty, in a city of creativity, these artists were free to experiment and suggest new ways to live. This short-course explores the Lost Generation and their work within the École de Paris. The École de Paris (School of Paris) is not a particular institution, but the description of the city itself as a school for art. With its cafés, fashions, and political histories the entire city was a great source of creative inspiration. The focus of this course is not on a chronology of 'isms', but the ways in which Paris, its milieu, was an active co-creator of art.
We cover surrealism and some of its key artists of the 1920s, including André Breton and Man Ray. We look at distinctive painters like Marc Chagall, Tamara Lempicka, Marie Laurencin and Foujita as well as sculptor Constantin Brancusi. We also look at artists who defy categorisation like Mina Loy, Sonia Delaunay and Max Ernst. Finally, the course includes the influence of the models, collectors and poets who supported and shaped the work of these artists. People like Kiki de Montparnasse, Ambroise Vollard, Robert Desnos and Marcel Duchamp were some of those integral to the art that blurred the borders and boundaries set by the previous cultural traditions.
What will we cover?
-Surrealism, its origins and experimental practices -École de Paris (School of Paris) and its various artists and exhibitions -Experimental film and photography of the era -The broader artistic circles, including influential models and collectors.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
-Explain how the historical context of 1920s Paris relates to the art of the period -Discuss the art practice of at least two artists featured in this course -Understand the purpose/style of the different movements (or isms) discussed in this course.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.
The course includes optional readings that some learners may find challenging because it uses art terminology and theory.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with a combination of lecture (with powerpoint slides), discussion and group activities. There will be homework. Homework changes each week, but generally takes the form of readings, watching videos or looking at works of art and is designed to take no more than 30 minutes outside of class each week.
This course has a Google Classroom where we share documents and course materials.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. You may wish to purchase a notebook for your course materials.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
American art of the 1940s and 50s: Visionary Experiments: Modern Art in America: the Ashcan School to Precisionism Modern Art in America: the age of Hopper, Rivera and the New Deal Women behind the lens: 1920-2020
Sarah is an art historian, educator, curator and writer based in London. Before her current position as art history tutor coordinator and programme lead at City Lit Sarah was a curator in the Department of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. For six years, she was the lead educator for the Bridget Riley Art Foundation and has also worked at Wellcome Collection exploring the connections of art, medicine and human experience. Sarah has been an art history lecturer since 2003. Her first MA was in art history, her second MA was in cultural studies and her BA (first) was in art history. Sarah's expertise is in late 19th/early 20th century French art, but is also a generalist, teaching on a variety of topics and prefers to place artworks and objects in their wider social and cultural contexts, from the European Renaissance to the contemporary, emphasising new narratives and approaches to Western Art History.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/art-in-1920s-paris289430Art in 1920s Parishttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/r/art-in-1920s-paris-1080.jpg149149GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art22851136117718951228511771136Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.152720442Art in 1920s Paris149149https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/a/r/art-in-1920s-paris-1080_3.jpgInStockDaytimeFriKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allJun 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB783149149Art in 1920s Paris11997149Sarah Jaffrayart-in-1920s-paris/vb783-2526Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.0000-Available|2026-06-12 00:00:00<p>In the wake of World War I and the resolution of plague, we find the Lost Generation - the people who survived what felt like the apocalypse. In their world of uncertainty, in a city of creativity, these artists were free to experiment and suggest new ways to live. This short-course explores the Lost Generation and their work within the École de Paris. The École de Paris (School of Paris) is not a particular institution, but the description of the city itself as a school for art. With its cafés, fashions, and political histories the entire city was a great source of creative inspiration. The focus of this course is not on a chronology of 'isms', but the ways in which Paris, its milieu, was an active co-creator of art.<br/><br/>We cover surrealism and some of its key artists of the 1920s, including André Breton and Man Ray. We look at distinctive painters like Marc Chagall, Tamara Lempicka, Marie Laurencin and Foujita as well as sculptor Constantin Brancusi. We also look at artists who defy categorisation like Mina Loy, Sonia Delaunay and Max Ernst. Finally, the course includes the influence of the models, collectors and poets who supported and shaped the work of these artists. People like Kiki de Montparnasse, Ambroise Vollard, Robert Desnos and Marcel Duchamp were some of those integral to the art that blurred the borders and boundaries set by the previous cultural traditions.</p>Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.-Surrealism, its origins and experimental practices<br/>-École de Paris (School of Paris) and its various artists and exhibitions<br/>-Experimental film and photography of the era<br/>-The broader artistic circles, including influential models and collectors.-Explain how the historical context of 1920s Paris relates to the art of the period<br/>-Discuss the art practice of at least two artists featured in this course<br/>-Understand the purpose/style of the different movements (or isms) discussed in this course.<p>This course is suitable for all levels. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.<br/><br/>The course includes optional readings that some learners may find challenging because it uses art terminology and theory.</p><p>You will be taught with a combination of lecture (with powerpoint slides), discussion and group activities. There will be homework. Homework changes each week, but generally takes the form of readings, watching videos or looking at works of art and is designed to take no more than 30 minutes outside of class each week.<br/><br/>This course has a Google Classroom where we share documents and course materials.<br/><br/> </p>There are no additional costs. You may wish to purchase a notebook for your course materials.<p>American art of the 1940s and 50s: Visionary Experiments:<br/>Modern Art in America: the Ashcan School to Precisionism<br/>Modern Art in America: the age of Hopper, Rivera and the New Deal<br/>Women behind the lens: 1920-2020</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artvirtual11914997VB783NONEFri12/06/26 - 10/07/2613:30 - 15:3013:3015:305 sessions (over 5 weeks)55-10 weeksDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSarah JaffrayBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-06-12T00:00:00+00:00Jun 2026Culture, history & humanities149149Art in 1920s Parisart-in-1920s-paris/vb783-2526Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.0000-Available|2026-06-12 00:00:00<p>In the wake of World War I and the resolution of plague, we find the Lost Generation - the people who survived what felt like the apocalypse. In their world of uncertainty, in a city of creativity, these artists were free to experiment and suggest new ways to live. This short-course explores the Lost Generation and their work within the École de Paris. The École de Paris (School of Paris) is not a particular institution, but the description of the city itself as a school for art. With its cafés, fashions, and political histories the entire city was a great source of creative inspiration. The focus of this course is not on a chronology of 'isms', but the ways in which Paris, its milieu, was an active co-creator of art.<br/><br/>We cover surrealism and some of its key artists of the 1920s, including André Breton and Man Ray. We look at distinctive painters like Marc Chagall, Tamara Lempicka, Marie Laurencin and Foujita as well as sculptor Constantin Brancusi. We also look at artists who defy categorisation like Mina Loy, Sonia Delaunay and Max Ernst. Finally, the course includes the influence of the models, collectors and poets who supported and shaped the work of these artists. People like Kiki de Montparnasse, Ambroise Vollard, Robert Desnos and Marcel Duchamp were some of those integral to the art that blurred the borders and boundaries set by the previous cultural traditions.</p>Explore 1920s Paris from the perspective of experimental art movements. From textile design to surrealism, abstraction to neo-classicism we look at how the city of Paris was an active collaborator in the art of the era.-Surrealism, its origins and experimental practices<br/>-École de Paris (School of Paris) and its various artists and exhibitions<br/>-Experimental film and photography of the era<br/>-The broader artistic circles, including influential models and collectors.-Explain how the historical context of 1920s Paris relates to the art of the period<br/>-Discuss the art practice of at least two artists featured in this course<br/>-Understand the purpose/style of the different movements (or isms) discussed in this course.<p>This course is suitable for all levels. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information.<br/><br/>The course includes optional readings that some learners may find challenging because it uses art terminology and theory.</p><p>You will be taught with a combination of lecture (with powerpoint slides), discussion and group activities. There will be homework. Homework changes each week, but generally takes the form of readings, watching videos or looking at works of art and is designed to take no more than 30 minutes outside of class each week.<br/><br/>This course has a Google Classroom where we share documents and course materials.<br/><br/> </p>There are no additional costs. You may wish to purchase a notebook for your course materials.<p>American art of the 1940s and 50s: Visionary Experiments:<br/>Modern Art in America: the Ashcan School to Precisionism<br/>Modern Art in America: the age of Hopper, Rivera and the New Deal<br/>Women behind the lens: 1920-2020</p>Art historyModern & contemporary artconfigurable
18951136Modern & contemporary arthttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/modern-contemporary-art1/2/285/1177/1136/18951/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Modern & contemporary art
