Paris blickt auf die Welt. Kunst, Imperium und Wissenschaft (1766-2026)

Eva Kernbauer
Institute of Studies in Art and Art Education, Art History
2026W, Academic Seminar (SEW), 2.0 ECTS, 1.0 semester hours, course number S51269

Scientific bachelor seminar for teacher education

Description

The seminar and trip to Paris offer a perspective on a historical and contemporary model case: the history of an ordering of art along the lines of imperialism and colonialism, oppositions and efforts to resist this orientation, up to current strategies for dealing meaningfully with the history of colonialism.

The course focuses on French modern and contemporary art from colonial and decolonial perspectives. Among other topics, we will examine the tensions between Republic and Empire, imperial and colonial collecting policies, and processes of cultural circulation up to, in some cases, restitution. Additional focal points include questions of gender, race, class, and intersectionality, power-critical approaches, as well as Orientalism. Through visits to museums, and exhibitions, we aim to investigate France’s imperial worldmaking and its forms of representation that continue into the present.

During the excursion, we will engage with institutions on site, their modes of representation, and their histories, while critically examining exhibition and collecting practices through a power-critical lens. In addition to museum and library visits, an excursion to Malmaison, the imperial garden of Joséphine Bonaparte, is planned. We will also  meet with colleagues at the German Center for Art History (Centre allemand d’histoire de l’art) and aim to learn more about the activities of the research institute.

 

Examination Modalities

Please note that seminar and excursion can only be taken together. The participants are selected in June 2026 following a call within the university.

Requirements for participation:

  • Preparation and moderation of a reading for the joint seminar discussion (15.10.),

  • Presentation of an object, artwork, or site in Paris,

  • Full participation in all seminar sessions and throughout the entire excursion,

  • Writing a seminar paper.

Comments

Please note that seminar and excursion can only be taken together. The participants are selected in June 2026 following a call within the university.

As the number of participants is limited to 12, we circulated the announcement for this course back in June, asking participants to send a statement of interest by email by 30 June 2026. Registration can only be confirmed here once you have received confirmation of your place.

  • Independent organization of travel to Paris (8 November) and return travel from Paris (13 November),

  • A personal contribution of EUR 50.00 (to be deposited with the Department of Art History office after confirmation of registration: VZA 7, 4th floor, room 445).

As only seminar participants are permitted to take part in the field trip, it is essential that you register for the seminar.

Key Words

Frankreich, Paris, Moderne, Gegenwart, Politik, Imperialismus, Kolonialismus, Dekolonialisierung, Restitution, Sammlungen, Skulptur, Malerei, Stadtraum, Film, photography

Dates

Thu, 01 October 2026, 10:00–11:45 Seminar Room 22 (preliminary discussion)
Thu, 15 October 2026, 10:00–13:30 Seminar Room 22
Thu, 19 November 2026, 10:00–11:45 Seminar Room 22

Course Enrolment

From 31 August 2026, 09:00
Via online registration

Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.85

Art Education: subject kkp (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 067/003.80

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 067/003.25

Art Education: subject kkp (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 067/003.80

Art Education: subject tex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 071/003.80

Art Education: subject dae (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 072/003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Bachelor): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: IT: Bachelorseminar Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.85

Art Education: subject dex (Master): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: Lehrveranstaltung nach Wahl aus wissenschaftlicher Praxis, SE 074/003.80

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Seminar aus dem Bereich Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften 074/003.25

Art Education: subject dex (Enhancements study): Wissenschaftliche Praxis: FOR: Lehrveranstaltungen nach Wahl aus Wissenschaftliche Praxis 074/003.80

TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Theoretical foundations: Theoretical foundations 180/003.01

Expanded Museum Studies (Master): Electives: Art History 537/080.10

Stage Design (2. Section): Kunsttheorie und Kulturwissenschaften: Kunstgeschichte 542/207.01

Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie und Geschichte : Kunstgeschichte 566/208.12

Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Wissenschaft, Theorie, Geschichte: Kunstgeschichte 567/208.12

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 1: Art History 568/005.03

Kunst- und Kulturwissenschaften (Master): Electives Area 2: Art History 568/006.03

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Fundamentals: Humanities 576/203.02

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 577/203.02

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Art Theory, Cultural Studies, Art History, Philosophy 605/202.01

Fine Arts (2. Section): Scientific and Research Practice: Free Electives out of Scientific and Research Practice 605/202.80

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Methodological and Theoretical Basics: Humanities 626/203.02

Co-registration: possible

Attending individual courses: possible