The Art of Europe

[Connie Motz]

When one thinks of Europe, one tends to think of art. With its plethora of offerings including historical sites, museums, and even art galleries, the choices are truly endless.

Students in the Art History program at University of Redlands, a top Southern California university, spend time exploring the classics through studying the paintings and sculptures found in museums like the Louvre in Paris, British Museum in London, or the Vatican Museum in Rome.

But art in Europe doesn’t necessarily mean a painting or sculpture, in Europe art can be a building like the amazing Notre Dame in Paris or even the monoliths at Stonehenge. The historical chateaus located throughout France also offer a glimpse into the past with their combination of art and architecture. Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, Château de Fontainebleau, and Versailles, all just a short ride from Paris, offer a delightful selection of art including furniture from the Baroque period.

Continued education courses in art are offered by many educational institutions across the U.S. and for those visiting France, consider taking a week’s combination painting and photography class. Many painting workshops offer study in oil, watercolor, acrylic, and mixed-media. If you long to get a degree, maybe it’s actually time to consider enrolling in the Art History Program offered by the College of Arts & Sciences at the University of Redlands.

Students of this Los Angeles university will be immersed in art through hands-on experience while they learn to establish visual competency and general knowledge. Graduates get a bachelors degree in Art History and may go on to work as museum curators or archivists, work as an art consultant in the media field, or may even go on to become artists themselves.

However you decide to explore and experience the art of Europe, enjoy. A famous quote by impressionist painter Claude Monet, whose home and gardens can be toured in Giverny, says “People discuss my art and pretend to understand as if it were necessary to understand, when it's simply necessary to love.”

Flickr.com Photo Credits:
Monet's Garden - Water Lilies, Pond, and Bridge by Ell Brown
Versailles Palace Interior by Albany_Tim