Fall Session I: August 31 through October 19, 2026
- Day and Time: Mondays, 6:00 pm–7:30 pm
- Location: In-person – 1011 2nd Street, Suite #206, Santa Rosa
- Instructor: Charles de Bretteville
- Tuition: $250 (7 weeks)
- No Class on Labor Day (Sep 7)
In-person class! A journey through the history of French art, from the gargoyles of Gothic architecture through the flowering of humanism in the Renaissance; from the grand siècle under Louis XIV to the enchantments of French rococo; the dizzying proliferation of styles (realism, romanticism, symbolism, impressionism, and others) that marked the tumultuous 19th century and the rise of the bourgeoisie as the principal consumers of art, and finally culminating in the experimental avant-garde of the 20th century and the development of abstraction. Through an encounter with the rich and diverse history of French art, students will improve their ability to describe and discuss artworks and communicate their visual impressions.
While the Alliance has traditionally offered classes in French to support language learning, this course reflects a broader commitment to sharing the richness of French culture with a wider audience. We are pleased to offer art history with our instructor Charles who is deeply knowledgeable in Art History from living and studying in France and Italy, and from study of the arts in his own right.
Taught in English, it invites both Francophiles and lifelong learners to explore eight centuries of French artistic achievement, regardless of their level of French.
