Discovering the Belle Époque: Art, Literature & Design
Join ASA for a day of lectures, presentations and music that celebrate the artistic achievements of the Belle Époque. Timed to coincide with the Winter Masterpieces exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria French Impressionism: From the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, explore the art, novels, music, fashion and jewels of this gorgeous era.
The Belle Époque was a time in French history that began after the Franco-Prussian War in 1871 and continued until the 1914 outbreak of World War I. It was an exciting time to be in France! A new group of artists was busy creating works that showed an ‘impression’ of a landscape rather than providing defined detail. Few customers bought their paintings, and yet now some of those great works are travelling to Melbourne as part of a wonderful exhibition. In literature, a new movement called Naturalism was both shocking and intriguing readers, while both writers and artists took sides in the infamous Dreyfus affair of the 1890s. Music of the period was characterised by waltzes, operettas, modern dance and works by Debussy, Ravel, Saint-Saëns and Fauré. French fashion was moving away from more restrictive styles, while Paris was recognised as one of the premier fashion hubs of the world. Art Nouveau, followed by Art Deco (which celebrates its centenary this year) revitalised the worlds of fashion, architecture and design. Superb jewellery houses were opening for the wealthy, with Cartier, Boucheron and Van Cleef & Arpels all being established in Paris at this time. Paris flaunted impressive and controversial new landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Grand Palais. This was a time of peace and prosperity, allowing the arts to flourish and creativity to shine.
Image: “Isola Bella” print by Georges Barbier, 1914. Courtesy of Professor Emeritus Chris Browne
Booking for this Event is only online via Trybooking.com
Terms & Conditions
- Dietary requirements must be received by Australians Studying Abroad (ASA) prior to Wednesday 28 May 2025.
- By purchasing a ticket you agree to receive information about the Event by email from ASA.
- This ticket is proof of purchase for the purpose of the above event and must be presented at the time of admission.
- Only one ticket is valid per ticket purchase.
- Tickets are not to be duplicated for the purpose of falsifying entry.
- Ticket transfers are allowed at the discretion of the Event Organiser. Please notify ASA of any change of attendee.
- If you need to cancel your booking, please contact ASA, Diane Perelsztejn [email protected]. We take the day on which you cancel as being that on which we receive written confirmation of cancellation.
Please note that following charges apply:
- From booking until Sunday 4 May 2025: $25.00 cancellation fee
- From Monday 5 May until Wednesday 28 May 2025: $85.00 cancellation fee
- From Thursday 29 May 2025 onwards: 100% cancellation fee