As a finale to our study of the Academy and History of Ornament, students from Mims Studios traveled to Paris, France for a ten day study tour of this city's incomparable collection of art and architecture.

The massive interior of the Pantheon served as an inspiring setting to view the great 19th century murals by artists as diverse as Puvis de Chavannes and Leon Bonnat. One of the most exciting discoveries of this visit was our introduction to Pierre Victor Galland (1822 - 1892), who was responsible for the astonishing ornamental borders painted around each mural in an attempt to harmonize the overall effect. His own The Preaching of Saint Denis is perhaps the finest work in this entire series.

Other highlights included a visit to the Musee D'Orsay, offering the rare opportunity to view a retrospective exhibition of Jules-Bastien Lepage. Led by Jeffrey Mims, the group also made several visits to the Louvre to examine paintings and sculptures related to the Italian and French Academies. Art historian, Marian McHugh, traveled from her home in Tuscany to lead a private tour of Renaissance works. Central to our studies was a tour of the recently restored Apollo Gallery where Charles Le Brun set the tone for the reign of the Sun King by organizing an army of French artists and artisans, creating an ensemble to rival Italian splendor.

Examining details from a mural by Blanc in the Pantheon.

Jeffrey Mims and former student Brandon Soloff in front of the imposing facade of the Pantheon

A look at Poussin's final painting.