The course surveys the history of Western painting from the late 18th
century to the turn of the 20th century.  The styles and movements covered
range from neo-classicism to romanticism, realism, impressionism, and
post-impressionism.  While most of the works examined are the products of
European cultures, some American painting is also included; French
painting is most heavily represented.  The course follows a roughly
chronological track, but there is a strong emphasis on themes, issues, and
comparative methods of approaching, interpreting, and writing about works
of art and their makers.  The issues include considerations of social
class, race, and gender, along with the new economic and cultural
conditions created by industrialism, capitalism, and national expansion in
the modern period.  The category of the "modern" itself is also under
review.  Along with the standard movements, we will be talking about the
art market; images and social relations of the artist; pictorial ideas of
masculinity and femininity; the situation of women as subjects and makers
of art; Orientalism; representation of blacks and other socially
marginalized groups; representations of work; and the impact of new
technologies and social conditions on urban and rural landscapes and how
they are painted.