Art History Short Course: Art and Opulence: Gilded Age Mansions and the Rise of Patronage
Inspired in part, by Dressing the Abbey, this engaging four-week art history course, taught jointly by Scott Schweigert, Curator of Art and Civilization, and Geoff Fleming, Executive Director and CEO, offers an in-depth exploration of the tradition of the Country Home in both America and Great Britain. The sessions explore the country house as a site of art, power, and cultural imagination, tracing its evolution from aristocratic seat to symbol of wealth and to modern myth. Through case studies in Britain, Ireland, and the United States—and even its reinvention and romanticization on screen—the series will examine how these lavish houses functioned as both private residences and public statements, and how their collections and architectural legacies continue to shape our understanding of art and history.
This week, we’ll focus on Gilded Age mansions and the rise of patronage during that time.
Pricing:
- Single class: $45 for Museum Members, $55 for Non-Members
- Whole 4 week course: $125 for Museum Members, $185 for Non-Members