Aug. 25 Introduction
Aug. 30 & Sept. 1 Precursors of Symbolism
Readings: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapters 1 & 2
Symbolist Art Theories: Charles Baudelaire, 1-11
Monday, Sept. 6 NO CLASS – Labor Day
Sept. 8, 13, 15 Naturalism, Realism, Impressionism, Symbolism, & Expressionism
Reading: Richard Shiff, “The End of Impressionism,” in The New Painting: Impressionism 1874-1886 (Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco, 1986)
Symbolist Art Theories: James McNeill Whistler, 65-70; Jean Moreas, 150-152; Felix Feneon, 157-163
Sept. 20, 22, 27, 29 Elitism & Decadence
Sept. 22 Discussion of Joris-Karl Huysmans’s Against Nature (1884)
Readings: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapter 3
Symbolist Art Theories: Joris-Karl Huysmans, 44-47, Paul Borget, 128-131
Oct. 4 Total Work of Art
Reading: Symbolist Art Theories: Arthur Rimbaud, 136-138; Theodor de Wyzewa, 147-149
Monday, Oct. 4 Paper Assignment due in class
Oct. 6 NO CLASS
Saturday, Oct. 9, 12:40 pm, Cinemark Fayette Mall, Metropolitan Opera, Richard Wagner’s Das Rheinengold
Oct. 11, 13, 18 Idealism and Symbolism
Reading: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapters 4
Symbolist Art Theories: Paul Signac, 175-76; Paul Serusier, 235-38; Maurice Denis, 239-241; Ferdinand Hodler, 245-251
Wednesday, October 20 - MIDTERM
Oct. 25, 27, 1 Gender & Symbolism
Reading: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapters 5
Nov. 3, 8, 10 Nationalism & Symbolism
Reading: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapters 6
Nov. 15, 17, 22 Decorative Arts & Architecture
Symbolist Art Theories: pp. 80-124
Wednesday Nov. 24 – NO CLASS – Thanksgiving
Nov. 29 & Dec. 1 Expression
Symbolist Art Theories: Paul Gauguin, 185-210; Vincent van Gogh, 211-226; Edvard Munch, 242-244
Dec. 6 & 8 Legacy of Symbolism
Reading: Symbolist Art in Context, Chapters 8
Wednesday, December 15, 1:00 pm Final Exam