Alexandra Courtois’s research draws from disability studies and disability history to address unexplored facets of late nineteenth-century European art and visual culture.
Her classes investigate Western art, politics and culture. Past courses include a survey of Western art from the Renaissance to the present, "Realism to Surrealism," "Shaking the Canon: Representation of the Body and Disability Studies" and "Histories of Photography."
In the 2019-2020 academic year, Alexandra will teach a seminar on political cartoons from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth, "Avant-gardes and Revolutions (1789-1848)" and "Histories of Photography" in addition to "Western Survey II."
Prior to her career in academia, Alexandra worked in theatre and then in special-effects make-up in Los Angeles, CA. During her graduate tenure at U.C. Berkeley, she held a four-year Jacob K. Javits fellowship, a UNA fellowship for women in history, a Georges Lurcy fellowship in Paris, a Goldman Graduate Fund Fellowship…
Alexandra Courtois’s research draws from disability studies and disability history to address unexplored facets of late nineteenth-century European art and visual culture.
Her classes investigate Western art, politics and culture. Past courses include a survey of Western art from the Renaissance to the present, "Realism to Surrealism," "Shaking the Canon: Representation of the Body and Disability Studies" and "Histories of Photography."
In the 2019-2020 academic year, Alexandra will teach a seminar on political cartoons from the eighteenth century to the early twentieth, "Avant-gardes and Revolutions (1789-1848)" and "Histories of Photography" in addition to "Western Survey II."
Prior to her career in academia, Alexandra worked in theatre and then in special-effects make-up in Los Angeles, CA. During her graduate tenure at U.C. Berkeley, she held a four-year Jacob K. Javits fellowship, a UNA fellowship for women in history, a Georges Lurcy fellowship in Paris, a Goldman Graduate Fund Fellowship and received two teaching awards. This past year, Kenyon awarded her a Faculty Research Grant.
Her current book project examines Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s oeuvre and life through questions informed by the social model of disability studies.
Alexandra is also completing an article on French artist Jean Veber’s (1864-1928) recurrent depictions of leg amputee figures in satirical newspaper cartoons and paintings
Art of the long 19th century, disability studies, print culture, caricature, history of photography
2018 — Doctor of Philosophy from Univ. of California Berkeley
2008 — Bachelor of Arts from Univ. of California Berkeley
This course surveys Western art and architecture from the Renaissance to the present. Framing the study of art history within a social context, this course will provide students with the tools for understanding style and interpreting meaning in individual works of art. Although this is a lecture format, discussion is encouraged. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered every semester.
This course surveys the history of photography from the medium's invention in the 1830s to the present. Key issues will include way photography functions as documentary evidence, demonstrates technological innovation, and is used as a means for artistic creativity. The role of digital imagery, social media, and the internet will also be addressed. Through lectures, critical readings, class presentations and discussions, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the history of the medium within specific historical and cultural contexts. Emphasis will be given to the social history of photography in an international context. This counts toward the intermediate course and modern/American art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 111 or equivalent.
This course focuses on the evolution of modernism as an artistic practice and the emergence of the avant-garde as a social and political formation in Europe between 1880 and 1945. Among the themes to be considered are the relationship between art and technology, the cultural implications of "primitivism," and the significance of abstract and nonrepresentational art to modern expression. This counts toward the intermediate course and modern art requirements for the major. Prerequisite: ARHS 110, 111 or equivalent.
This seminar probes specific problems in modern European and contemporary art. Focusing upon a theme, artist or movement, the course will provide a forum for the in-depth study of the methods of art historical research. Discussion of weekly readings, classroom presentations and research papers will be required. This counts toward the advanced course requirement for the major. This course can be repeated up to two times for credit, so long as they cover different topics. Prerequisite: ARHS 111 or equivalent.
"Deaf Gain: Toulouse-Lautrec and his First Teacher René Princeteau" in Disability and Art History Vol. 2, co-editing by Ann Millet-Gallant and Elizabeth Howie, published by Routledge.
"Bonnie Levinson" in A Celebration of 50 Years of Women Artists at Kenyon College. Ed. C. Esslinger and M. Hackbardt.