Summer Studies in Paris: French Art Market and History

Intake

July 2025

Goals

Learn the history of French art and its markets during this three-weeks summer program at IESA in Paris.

This course offers students a chance to encounter the great masterpieces of art directly in the galleries, museums and exhibitions of Paris. Students will also learn how these works were bought and sold historically and go to dealers, auction houses and even the open markets of Paris to see the art market in action today.

This course will open students’ eyes and understanding of art in one of Europe’s greatest and most beautiful cities.

Find out about IESA's other art business programs.

How to apply?

Are you interested in this program? Information about the application process is available here.

Curriculum

The course curriculum for Masterpieces of French Art covers a large period, from the 17th century to the early twentieth century in order to give students a strong foundation in the major developments in France.

Classes are run from Monday to Thursday to allow students time to discover Paris and its environs on their own or to take part in our two day-long excursions to the royal chateau of Fontainebleau and to Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

Included in the program are special events at galleries, welcome and farewell dinners and a scenic boat ride on the Seine.

Masterpieces of French Art (30 hours)

Late morning lectures Mondays & Wednesdays; afternoon site visits

The Ancien Regime – Louis XIV & The Art / French art in the 18th Century: Visits to the Louvre and the Jacquemart-André Museum (a 19th century evocation of the ancient regime)
The Arts of the 19th Century – The Age of the Romantics / Realism & the reform of Art: Visits to the Musée Delacroix and Musée d’Orsay
Paris & the Beginnings of Modern Art – The Impressionists & their Successors / The Beginning of the Modern: Visits to the Musée Marmottan and Centre Pompidou
Modern and Contemporary Movements – Paris between the Wars / Contemporary Paris: Visits to Centre Pompidou, Musée d'art Moderne and la Defense.

The Art Market in Paris (30 hours)

Late morning lectures Tuesdays & Thursdays; afternoon site visits

The dealer - The Salon and the End of the Salon Monopoly / The Rise of the Dealer from the 19th to 21st Century: Visits to the Musée Carnavelet; walking tour of 19th century gallerist shops; contemporary dealers on the left bank
The Rise of the Auction House – The Salon and the End of the Salon Monopoly / The Role of the Auction House and Other Modes of Commerce in the Current-Day Paris Art & Antiques Market, Visits to Hotel Drouot and the Paris Flea Market
The Collector – The Collector in the 19th Century / The Tastes of Collectors Today Visits to the Musée Nissim de Camondo and the Paris Flea Market
Public and Private Collections – The Role of Private Collections in the Art World / Biennials, Art Fairs & the International Art Market Visits to the Fondation Cartier and Fondation d’Entreprise Ricard.

Download
our brochure

To download our documentation and learn more about our programs, you just need to fill in the following information :

Choose a program *

First name *

Last name *

Country *

Téléphone

International Phone

Email adress *

RGPD *

* By submitting this form, I agree to be contacted via phone and email by the school.

Leave this field blank

IESA processes the collected data in order to manage your requests for information and support you in your orientation. We inform you that IESA uses your data for marketing purposes to personalize and adapt its service offers to your needs and to establish statistics and marketing profile models. By providing your contact details, you agree to be contacted by our advisers from Monday to Friday from 9:30 to 19:00. Your data will be kept for a period of 3 years; to learn more about the management of your personal data and to exercise your rights, please consult the school's data protection policy or send an email to the data protection officer of the school of your choice (see data protection policy)