“I was in Paris for three months in 2025 doing life drawing ‘seances’ - modele vivant, at L’Academie de la Grande Chaumière in Montparnasse.

The school was established in 1902 and Picasso, Chagall, Modigliani and Louise Bourgeois and many other notables studied there.

It was a delight to be amongst a group of Parisian artists one of whom had been invited into L’Académie Julian at 31 Rue du Dragon in the 60’s. This school was established in 1868 by Rodolphe Julian.

It was a delight to learn about what Paris was like in the early days from people who were involved in the art scene at that time.”

Trois femmes debut.

Charcoal, Conté and Schminke pastel on 300gm Arches paper.

Size 500 mm x 650 mm

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Above left. The main life drawing room  at L’Academie de la Grande Chaumière in Montparnasse. The seats and boards are ancient and I like the idea that Picasso and Louise Bourgeois had used them too. The art shop Senneiler has a shop in Rue de la Grande Chaumière - smaller than the original shop on the left bank where Picasso bought his supplies. It still looks like it did in those days - well worth a visit.

Above ”Deux femmes debut”.

Black gesso on Fabriano 300 gsm cotton rag paper.

Bottom left. The Giacometti Museum is just around the corner. This museum is small and intimate - a welcome change from the crowded tourist museums that everyone knows and loves.

Montparnasse is an interesting quartier with a mix of residential and office buildings. There is an excellent mid-week market and interesting book shops and restaurants. I had a look at Simone de Beauvoir’s apartment which was for sale just around the corner from the school.