Académie Julian, Art school in Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris, France
Académie Julian was an art school operating from several studios scattered throughout Paris where students developed skills in painting and sculpture. Instruction centered on drawing from live models under the guidance of experienced artists.
Founded in 1867 by Rodolphe Julian, the school emerged as an alternative to the more selective École des Beaux-Arts. It served students who wanted preparation for that institution's entrance exams while offering flexible education outside official channels.
The academy welcomed female students and artists from abroad at a time when most art institutions had rigid admission rules. This openness brought together people from different corners of Europe who might otherwise never have studied together in Paris.
Classes were held in separate studios where male and female students received instruction from working artists. Today it helps to check which locations or programs remain active before visiting, as the school's presence has changed over time.
Several major late 19th-century painters including Pierre Bonnard and Édouard Vuillard studied here before founding the Nabis art movement. This group pursued radically different painting approaches that moved away from academic conventions of their time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
