Ecole des beaux arts paris

The term, Ecole des Beaux Arts, in general usage refers to 'schools of fine art' in France, of which the most famous is the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux Arts, which has also held the name of Ecole des Beaux Arts, and Academie des Beaux Arts. (Other Ecoles des Beaux Arts are located at Dijon, Bourges, and Nancy.) History of the Ecole Nationale is tied to the first school name, Academie des Beaux Arts, established in 1648 by Cardinal Mazarin to educate the most talented art students. Located on the left bank across from the Louvre, it was, for many years, the official state institution to maintain high fine-art standards in France. Louis XIV selected graduates to decorate Versailles. Rules of learning included rigid classical studies, drawing and sculpting from "antique" models, and adhering to certain standards about geometric proportion, perspective, and rendering of anatomy. The "Ecole" closed in 1793 under the chaos caused by rebelling artists led by Jacques-Louis David. It re-opened in 1816, and in 1863 became independent from the government. Women were first admitted in 1897. Many Americans have studied there, especially from the mid-19th through early 20th centuries. Among American students have been Robert Henri, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Archipenko, Gutzom Borglum, Thomas Eakins and John Singer Sargent. Sources: Kimberley Reynolds and Richard Seddon, "Illustrated Dictionary of Art Terms"; AskART database; Wikipedia