Study day: Degas, drawing the modern
Course Code: VB841
Duration: 1 session
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What is the course about?
Edgar Degas is regarded as one of the founders of Impressionism. He was a superb draftsman, and particularly masterly in depicting movement – one can think of his dancers, racecourse subjects and female nudes. This one-day course will examine how Degas changed the course of painting by applying the traditional methods of history and academic painting to contemporary subject matter – the painting of modern life.
What will we cover?
• Degas’s life and influences
• Key works such as ‘The Dance Class’, and ‘A Woman Seated beside a Vase of Flowers’
• Degas’s use of material and technical mastery
• The places, people and society that informed the Impressionist movement.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Be able to situate Degas’s work within its social and cultural context
• Describe Degas’s style and use of materials
• Describe the artist’s contribution to Impressionism.
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, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught online with slide presentations and group discussions. Handouts will be provided by your tutor to support your learning on the course; these handouts will be available online/digitally for download, not printed out for you.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You might wish to buy a notebook. You might wish to buy some of the books on any reading list given out in class.
Sarah Jaffray holds a BA and MA in Art History with an emphasis in 19th/20th century France and a minor in the Italian Renaissance. She holds a second MA in Cultural Theory from Goldsmiths, University of London. Sarah was a lecturer for several colleges and universities in the Los Angeles area before relocating to London in 2012. She has worked in curatorial roles at the British Museum and Wellcome Collection. In addition to her current teaching at City Lit, Sarah is a lecturer at the University of Arts London and the Tutor Coordinator for City Lit's Art History programme. Her art historical practice focuses on experimental narratives, artistic process, art pedagogy, politics and philosophy. Sarah's current research is focused on translation and empathy.
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.