Text:

Cours Elementaire- Unseen Influence: Romain-Julien and 19th C. Drawing Pedagogy

By: E. Daniel Fogel ©2014

Illustration:
“Cours Elementaire Profile Study, copy after Romain-Julien”
Charcoal on paper 18" x 24”
By: E. Daniel Fogel ©2013

Bernard Romain-Julien, A 19th century French lithographer produced a suite of educational

drawing plates for artists. His influence on mid 19th century and early 20th century painting, printmaking

and illustration seems profound and largely unknown today. Artists on both sides of the Atlantic utilized

the drawing course; its content was widely known within artistic circles of the day. The aesthetics of visual

representation promoted by Julien can be documented in the artwork of numerous artists from this time. As

seen here with Winslow Homer. http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2004661273/

Julien teaches artists to communicate directly with viewers. He describes form and crafts line in a

dynamic, yet predictable manner that simultaneously creates illusion, while maintaining the integrity of

mark and surface. His rendition of light, and description of textures allow an immediate connection

between onlooker and the subject. The concepts and techniques displayed in the lithographs of Bernard

Romain-Julien represent a milestone in drawing achievement. His prints are designed for student artists to

decode and interpret. By and large these lessons have stood the test of time and deserve a raised awareness

of their importance. When evaluated critically in the context of the college classroom, these images are still

relevant in today's art foundation curriculum as an instructional unit on classical standards in drawing and

printmaking. Hypothetically, the use of these training materials can lead artists to creative synthesis,

thereby furthering visual and educational inquiry.

Publication Date: 2014