Didn’t Rodin get refused entry three times? The tale of the École des Beaux-Arts is more than art. It’s about the making and sometimes breaking of artists. We stand before this famous school. It is located on the left bank across from the Louvre. Its address is 14 rue Bonaparte. That is in the 6th arrondissement.
École des Beaux-Arts means School of Fine Arts in French. It is associated with the Beaux-Arts style. This style thrived in the late nineteenth century. It continued into the first quarter of the twentieth century. The École des Beaux-Arts has a long history. It spans more than 350 years. It trained many great European artists and architects. Beaux-Arts style was modeled on classical antiquities. It preserved idealized forms. It passed the style to future generations.
Cardinal Mazarin founded the Académie des Beaux-Arts in 1648. He wanted to educate talented students. They would study drawing, painting, sculpture and architecture. Louis XIV chose graduates to decorate Versailles. In 1863, Napoleon III granted the school independence. He changed the name to École des Beaux-Arts. Women were admitted beginning in 1897.
The curriculum was divided into two sections. They were the Academy of Painting and Sculpture and the Academy of Architecture. Both programs focused on classical arts. They also focused on architecture from Ancient Greek and Roman culture. Students had to prove their drawing skills before advancing. They progressed to figure drawing and painting. The Grand Prix de Rome was a scholarship competition. It allowed study in Rome.
Many famous artists trained here. These include Géricault Degas Delacroix and Fragonard. Ingres Moreau Renoir and Seurat also attended. Cassandre and Sisley were students too. However, Rodin was refused entry three times. Paul Cézanne applied twice but was turned down. Bernard was suspended for stylistic errors.
Félix Duban was commissioned for the main building in 1830. He realigned the campus. The work continued through 1861. It completed an architectural program. It extended towards the Quai Malaquais.
The Paris school is the namesake of the Beaux Arts movement. It set high standards for education. The École attracted students globally. American students returned home. They designed influential buildings. Examples include the Boston Public Library and the US Supreme Court. Also, the New York Public Library. Architectural graduates in France are granted the title élève.
The architecture department separated after the May 1968 student strikes. The name changed to École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. Today over 500 students attend. They use a vast collection of classical art. The curriculum includes modern additions. Photography and hypermedia are taught.
The École des Beaux-Arts is both a training center. It is also a place for artistic experiments. It holds exhibitions. It preserves historical and contemporary collections. It is also a publishing house. It maintains essential role on the contemporary art scene. The school is partnered with Paris Sciences et Lettres. It is a group of twenty-five prestigious institutions.
The École des Beaux-Arts has two sites. One is at Saint-Germain-des-Prés. The other is at Saint-Ouen. The Saint-Germain-des-Prés location spans two hectares. It includes ateliers amphitheatres and a specialized library. The Palais des Beaux-Arts is an exhibition space. So is the cabinet des dessins Jean Bonna. The Saint-Ouen site houses workshops. These support sculpture mosaic modeling and ceramics.
François Debret built the building des Loges. It was used for competitions. He also designed the Palais des études. Félix Duban completed the Palais des études. He built the exhibition building. It includes the Melpomène and Foch rooms. These face the Quai Malaquais.
The École des Beaux-Arts has shaped artistic education. It has influenced architecture worldwide. Its history is rich with talent rejection and innovation. As we leave this place consider its lasting impact on the art world.