In the art world, “elegance” and “authority” are the words that first spring to mind when hearing the name Christie’s. If this domain is your passion, why not enhance the impact of your resumé with a diploma from Christie’s to prepare for a career, on the international scene?
For the last five years the prestigious London-based auction house has been running a full-time diploma course in France that covers the history of art from the Renaissance to the 21st century. This fall, Christie's Education Paris will launch an exceptional program in English, highlighting 18th century French art. In conjunction with the magnificent collections and resources still to be found in Paris today — this course offers participants the opportunity to discover French“art de vivre” during the age of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour.
Christie’s regular courses are taught in French, and combine a sound academic education with visual connoisseurship. Director Frédéric Ballon enthuses at the prospect that “thanks to the recent opening of the French art market, and the very close relationship between Christie’s Education and Christie’s France, students will have the opportunity to benefit from a highly practical experience, focused on the organization as well as sales procedure, at auction.” Training the eye to identify and date works of art attributed to distinct periods for the purpose of cataloging is one of the most important aspects of the program.
Students get the chance to examine pieces from major public and private collections. An introductory course on the art of restoration, art viewing field trips in France — and, French language classes for foreign enrollees — complement the academic program. Additional classes are conducted in English for those who need to acquire a relatively specialized vocabulary in both languages.
In addition to its full-time diploma program, Christie’s offers short-term 10-week courses which comprise a series of lectures and visits focusing on a particular period such as French art from the 16th and 17th centuries (Sept to Dec). Art lovers with less time to spare may consider attending special evening or lunchtime lectures given by experts on a variety of subjects, such as the art market or photography.
Christie’s Education Paris, contact Anne-Sophie Desmyttere for further information, Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild, 11 rue Berryer, 8e, tel: 01 42 25 10 90
