Paris World's Fair 1900: The Exposition Universelle with Dr. Jennie Hirsh

The largest world's fair held to date, the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle was a critical exhibition that bridged the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. With Alfred Picard leading the Governing Commission of the fair, large-scale building projects, several of which remain today, came to life for this event.  Under Picard's reign, structures such as the Grand Palais, designed by Henri Deglane, Louis-Albert Louvet, and Albert Thomas, the Petit Palais, designed by Charles-Louis Girault, and the Pont Alexandre III permanently changed the landscape of the city.

This seminar will explore the significance of these monumental projects as well as many of the displays mounted in the national pavilions (more than 40 countries participated). Moreover, we will study the highly criticized, dramatic fair entrance on the place de la Concorde--the Porte Monumentale by René Binet--as well as key art nouveau buildings, such as the Gare d'Orsay train and hotel complex completed to support travel and lodging connected with the fair, and Hector Guimard's Métro stations. Finally, we will explore exhibitions of fine as well as decorative arts, including the shows curated at both the Grand Palais and Petit Palais at this fair that, together with its annex at Vincennes, attracted more than fifty million visitors.

Led by an expert on modern and contemporary art and architecture, Dr. Jennie Hirsh, this Conversation will provide a virtual tour of one of the World's Fairs with the most lasting impact. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of how this fair sought not only to summarize the past achievements of the nineteenth century but also, looking ahead, to celebrate new applications of technological advances.

This conversation is part of a series on World's Fairs with Dr. Jennie Hirsh. Each session is designed to be enjoyed as a stand-alone experience, or as part of the series. For additional details, please click here.