Paris, the “ville lumière” (the city of light) has long been more than a backdrop for art—it has been a laboratory of modern life. In two session, we will study the history of Paris through art in the 19th and early 20th c.

From the Storming of the Bastille to the Construction of the Eiffel Tower, from Haussmann’s “grands boulevards” to the cabarets of Montmatre, painters from the 19th and early 20th centuries captured, invented, and mythologised the city and its inhabitants. They thus shaped our enduring image of Paris.

A stage for modern life and revolutionary ideas, Paris was a place of pleasure and alienation, intimacy and anonymity, a place for the elegant Parisiennes and hard-working milliners.

Rather than a chronological survey, this short course traces key themes: revolution and riots, street life, leisure, the crowd, the flâneur, and Paris’ famous nightlife. By the end, Paris will emerge not just as a city depicted by artists, but as a city made through art.

Illustration above: Camille Pissarro, Boulevard Montmartre at Night, c. 1897, London, National Gallery

Online course (Zoom)

2 weeks: Monday 11 and 18 May 2026

From 10 am to 12

Cost: £28

If you miss a session, you will have the slides and “video-notes” to catch up.

Payment is via Stripe with your bank card. It is easy and safe. If necessary, refunds can be processed with Stripe. Once you’ve paid, I get an email, and I will then email you the course’s Zoom link and further details. Please check the terms and conditions to see the policy about cancellations and refunds. If you have any issues or questions, do not hesitate to get in touch (see “contact” above).

To enrol, and pay £28, please click on the button below. Thanks!