AIAP Monaco: An Autumn of Art with a Drawing Course from Impressionism to Fauvism

This autumn, AIAP Monaco is offering a new opportunity to experience art through a hands-on and engaging approach. The drawing course “From Impressionism to Fauvism” is designed for anyone wishing to explore French art between the late 19th and early 20th centuries while developing their own artistic skills.

The course runs from October 6 to November 24, 2026, with eight sessions held every Tuesday afternoon from 3:30 to 5:30 pm, led by artist Rosalba Butera.

From art history to drawing practice

The course goes beyond learning drawing techniques. Its aim is to help participants discover the artistic world of the great masters through practical exercises, historical context and direct observation of their works.

During the sessions, participants will experiment with different techniques using pencils, pastels and chalk, exploring some of the approaches that characterized artistic research between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.

Practical exercises will alternate with art-history sessions, allowing participants to understand how the cultural changes of the period influenced the way artists represented reality.

Discovering the museums of the French Riviera

One of the highlights of the course is the opportunity to combine classroom activities with visits to places closely connected to French painting.

The program includes visits to the Musée Bonnard in Le Cannet, the Maison de Renoir in Cagnes-sur-Mer and the Musée Matisse in Nice, alongside sessions at the AIAP Committee’s headquarters in Monaco.

Seeing original artworks firsthand becomes an essential part of the learning experience. Direct observation allows participants to turn theoretical knowledge into practical experimentation.

Impressionism and Fauvism: two key movements in French art

The course explores two crucial stages in the development of modern painting.

Impressionism marked a major artistic turning point in the 19th century, introducing a new focus on light, color and the perception of fleeting moments.

Fauvism, which emerged in the early 20th century, brought intense colors, bold contrasts and greater expressive freedom to painting. The term “Fauves”, meaning “wild beasts” in French, was used to describe the artists associated with this innovative movement.

Understanding the differences between the two movements will be an important part of the course, alongside the study of their techniques and artistic approaches.

Films, documentaries and artistic insights

The course will also include films and documentaries dedicated to artists and art history, including Degas and the Dancer and At Eternity’s Gate, the film about Vincent van Gogh.

Additional materials will explore Fauvism and the cultural environment in which the movement developed.

The aim is to create a comprehensive learning experience in which drawing practice is combined with knowledge of the artists, their works and the historical and cultural context that shaped their creativity.

A small group to encourage discussion

To ensure a more personal and interactive experience, the course is limited to a maximum of 15 participants.

The small group will encourage discussion, exchange and direct interaction with the artist leading the sessions.

Drawing together, observing artworks, sharing impressions and comparing results will all become an integral part of the experience.

Dates, schedule and fees

The “From Impressionism to Fauvism” Drawing Course will take place from October 6 to November 24, 2026, for a total of eight sessions.

• Dates: every Tuesday from October 6 to November 24, 2026
• Time: 3:30–5:30 pm
• Instructor: Rosalba Butera
• Participants: maximum 15
• Fee: €15 per session
• Materials: provided by the organizers
• Location: AIAP Monaco headquarters, with art visits at selected locations across the French Riviera

For information and registration, participants can contact the AIAP Monaco Committee by email.

A new way to experience art in Monaco

With this initiative, AIAP Monaco offers a different way to discover art: not only through exhibitions and museums, but also by actively taking part in the creative process.

Drawing becomes a tool for observing artworks more closely, understanding artistic techniques and discovering the creative vision of the painters who transformed French art between the 19th and 20th centuries.

The result is an experience combining art education, culture, creativity and discovery of the French Riviera, turning autumn in Monaco and the surrounding region into a journey dedicated to art and inspiration.