107-548 Symbolists and Decadents: The 1890s

Admission to honours in art history or admission to the Master of Art Curatorship.

The 1890s was a decade marked by dramatic disruption and challenge to established cultural mores. In a series of seminars examining the painting, sculpture, graphic art and design produced in England, France and Germany, the underlying causes of cultural change will be sought. Students will be directed to some of the seminal texts of the period such as Bram Stoker's Dracula and J-K Huysmans Against Nature as well as documentary texts such as the writings of the de Goncourt brothers. Paris and London will be the two geographic locations concentrated on while the major artists to be studied will include Aubrey Beardsley, Charles Conder, Walter Sickert, Paul Gauguin, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, Odilon Redon, Pierre Bonnard, Auguste Rodin and Edvard Munch. Students will have an opportunity to study the graphic work of these artists at first hand in seminars held in the Print Room of the National Gallery of Victoria.

• have developed their ability to think and argue critically and to express their ideas in written communication;

• have developed skills in oral presentation.

A 5000 word essay 100% (due during the examination period). The hurdle requirement is that to be eligible for assessment, students must attend 75% of seminars and complete all written assignments and oral presentations.