The Birth of Impressionism and the Art of Modern Life

The ‘Father of Impressionism’: The scandalous and innovative works of Édouard Manet

What did it mean to paint modern life in 19th century Paris?

In the wake of political upheaval and radical urban transformation, a group of young artists began to turn away from history painting and idealised myth. Instead, they looked at the world around them—capturing fleeting moments in cafés, on the streets, at the theatre and in the countryside.

Baron Haussmann’s dramatic redesign of Paris created sweeping boulevards, public parks and new vantage points—spaces that became central to the Impressionist gaze.

Inspired by Charles Baudelaire’s call for a painter of modern life, artists such as Claude Monet, Edgar Degas and Gustave Caillebotte set out to reflect the pace, spectacle and anonymity of the modern city.

This talk explores the birth of Impressionism and its focus on modern life.

Why was this work so controversial? And what exactly made it so modern?

For more information and to find out about future talks please visit www.stellagracelyons.co.uk

Stella Grace Lyons is a freelance Art History lecturer, speaker and writer accredited with The Arts Society. She has lectured across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Norway, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Malaysia and will soon embark on a lecturing tour in Australasia.

Stella gained her BA in the History of Art with a 1st class in her dissertation from the University of Bristol (2007-2011), and her MA in History of Art from the University of Warwick.

She spent a year studying Renaissance art in Italy at the British Institute of Florence, and three months studying Venetian art in Venice. In addition, she attended drawing classes at the prestigious Charles H. Cecil studios in Florence, a private atelier that follows a curriculum based on the leading ateliers of nineteenth century Paris.

Stella runs her own Art History lectures and is a regular lecturer in the UK and Europe for The Arts Society, ACE Cultural Tours, Hebridean Island Cruises, Saga’s Art Appreciation Tours, and the National Trust, amongst others. Stella is also a part-time lecturer for the University of South Wales.

She has written about art for several publications and her article on Norwegian art was recently featured on the front cover of the Arts Society Magazine. In addition to her lecturing work, Stella works as an artist’s model for the internationally renowned figurative artist, Harry Holland.