CONFERENCES
All these lectures were given as part of the Belles Heures program of the University of Montreal for a general public.
adaptable in person or online via zoom / price on request - duration and content adaptable
All my conferences are richly documented and illustrated
MONET at GIVERNY
2.5H
https://bellesheures.umontreal.ca/activites/sur-les-traces-de-monet-a-giverny-2/
The reasons for the installation of the master in this small village of the Norman Vexin and how his gardens became a new passion and the reasons for a new inspiration
MONTMARTRE
between tradition and modernity
2 episodes of 2 hours
https://bellesheures.umontreal.ca/series/a-la-decouverte-de-montmartre/
From ancient times to today: constitution and evolution of geological, historical, religious, artistic and touristic life
THE EIFFEL TOWER
the crazy gamble of 19th century engineers
2 episodes of 2 hours
https://bellesheures.umontreal.ca/series/la-tour-eiffel-reve-fou-des-architectes-du-xix-eme-siecle/
Built for the Universal Exhibition of 1889, the history of the Eiffel Tower reveals the challenges of metal architecture and the rise of new engineers in the world of construction. My presentation is based on the history of metal architecture, the specificities brought by Eiffel through his previous works, the context of the universal exhibitions, the personality of Eiffel and of course the construction and the facts about the tower itself
VAN GOGH IN AUVERS SUR OISE
2.5H
https://bellesheures.umontreal.ca/activites/sur-les-traces-de-van-gogh-a-auvers-2/
A 2-hour slideshow on Van Gogh's biography briefly recalling the major stages of his life before his passion for painting. My presentation aims to give you the key points to understand his techniques and personal weaknesses. Then I focus on an itinerary in Auvers pointing to the places and monuments linked to his major paintings. I take you to the Ravoux inn, the church of Auvers, the wheat fields and the cemetery where he rests with his brother Théo.
VERSAILLES :
the palace, the gardens and Marie Antoinette's hamlet
5 episodes of 2 hours
https://bellesheures.umontreal.ca/series/versailles/
From his father's hunting lodge to the largest palace in Europe, this presentation aims to understand the major stages of construction linked to the 3 kings who lived in Versailles until the outbreak of the Revolution of 1789.
First part : The origins of Louis XIII to Louis XIV. A historical and architectural journey to the 17 s. through the life of the mistresses of the Sun King
Part II : The superb interior decorations, manifesto of a political art
Part III : The transformations of the 18 s. and influence from the Enlightenment to modern times
Part IV : The adventure of the gardens with the prototype of the "French gardens" and the Queen's Hamlet
Part V : Daily life in the palace through the centuries (costume, health, food, hygiene, entertainment...) and overview of the city.