Masterclass | Degas – A new vision, a new beginning | University of Melbourne and NGV

Edgar Degas Rehearsal hall at the Opéra, rue Le Peletier 1872 oil on canvas 32.7 x 46.3 cm Musée d'Orsay, Paris (RF 1977) © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski

Edgar Degas Rehearsal hall at the Opéra, rue Le Peletier 1872 oil on canvas 32.7 x 46.3 cm Musée d’Orsay, Paris (RF 1977) © RMN-Grand Palais (Musée d’Orsay) / Hervé Lewandowski

In partnership with the National Gallery of Victoria’s exhibition Degas: A new vision, the Faculty of Arts is proud to present a four-part masterclass series on the life and art of Edgar Degas, one of the most recognizable grand masters of French modernism. Drawn from across the globe and with over 200 artworks, this exhibition represents one of the most internationally significant retrospectives of Degas, highlighting his influential contribution across the different mediums of painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking and photography.

This masterclass will reflect the breadth and diversity of the exhibition as we explore the development of Degas’ art from its beginnings. We will contextualise his work within the dramatic social and political change that occurred during his lifetime, which made Paris the centre of the art world, and inevitably provided the backdrop for his innovative and creative depictions. Join us as we revisit the much celebrated artist through a new lens, and consider him to be more than just a painter of pretty ballet dancers and frivolous café scenes.

Each session includes evening lectures by some of the University of Melbourne’s finest scholars and NGV’s senior curators, light refreshments and the privilege of exclusive after hours exhibition viewing, showcasing tailored pop-up talks and performances in the exhibition space.

For more information and to book see the University of Melbourne website here.

Monday 18 July: Degas’ Paris

Lectures
The Paris of Edgar Degas, Emeritus Professor Peter McPhee, The University of Melbourne
Attack of the Green Fairy? Dr Ted Gott, National Gallery of Victoria

Pop up talks
Representing the Feminine in Degas, Emeritus Professor Charles Sowerwine, The University of Melbourne
Edgar Degas’ Brothel Scenes, Associate Professor Susan Foley, The University of Melbourne

Monday 25 July: Degas’ women

Lectures
From Dancer to Courtesan: Prostitution in 19th century Paris, Dr Sylvia Sagona, The University of Melbourne
Reality effects: Degas and the working woman, Dr Sophie Matthiesson, National Gallery of Victoria

Pop up talks
Degas: Painting and poetry, Dr Bertrand Bourgeois, The University of Melbourne
Photography: A private passion, Susan van Wyk, National Gallery of Victoria

Monday 1 August: Performance and movement

Lectures
Rendering movement and painting pretty clothes: Degas, the painter of dancing girls Professor Rachel Fensham, The University of Melbourne
Snap, the frozen moment. Laurie Benson, National Gallery of Victoria

Pop up talks
Degas and the Café-concert, Cathy Leahy, National Gallery of Victoria
The Cotton Office: A Family Business of Intrigue, Alojz Babic, researcher at the National Gallery of Victoria

Monday 8 August: New markets, new visions

Lectures
An artist meets a disruptive technology, Professor Glyn Davis, Vice-Chancellor, The University of Melbourne
From ‘petit rat’ to grand masterpiece: Degas and the art market Dr Christopher Marshall, The University of Melbourne

Pop up talks
Degas the global diaspora of French modernist art, David Challis, PhD Candidate, The University of Melbourne
Framing Degas, Holly McGowan-Jackson, National Gallery of Victoria

View the Masterclass program to see full abstracts and speaker biographies.

Cost:
Individual session: $60 Alumni & NGV Members / $65 Non alumni & NGV Members
Series Pass: $220 Alumni & NGV Members / $240 Non alumni & NGV Members

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