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Nathan Arrington Teaches Seminar at École du Louvre as Part of New Partnership
As part of the newly established partnership between the École du Louvre and the Department of Art & Archaeology, Professor Nathan Arrington taught an intensive seminar titled “Touch and Greek Art” in Paris during Princeton’s spring break.
The seminar examined works in the Musée du Louvre’s collection that exemplify how the sense of touch changes the experience of Greek art. Arrington made the case that the philosophical texts from which we draw the history of the senses in Greece had their own objectives and prejudices. Looking at material culture in its social, cultural, and physical contexts provides a fresh perspective. Touch is unquestionably a specific and unique vector of object knowledge.
“Holding afternoon sessions in the Louvre galleries was a thrill, with outstanding objects on hand to prompt discussion and inquiry,” said Arrington. “The students, who have studied many different periods of art history, were perceptive, gracious, and insightful; I learned as much as I taught.”
“The students, who have studied many different periods of art history, were perceptive, gracious, and insightful; I learned as much as I taught.”
— Professor Nathan Arrington
Professor Nathan Arrington teaches with object as the Musée du Louvre (Photo/ Stéphane Richard)
The partnership was established this year and launched with the participation of three A&A undergraduate students in the in January.
On June 25, 2025, as part of École du Louvre’s Grande conference, Professor Thomas Kaufmann will present in French his lecture “Rudolph II Habsburg: Madness, Art, Magic and Science in Prague.”
Beginning in fall 2025, another facet of the partnership will include a graduate student exchange program, with A&A sending up to two students to the École du Louvre and hosting up to two Visiting Exchange Students at Princeton. The program aims to connect students with scholars working in their field of research while broadening their intellectual and cultural experience, not to mention their language skills.
“I’m excited about the possibilities our new partnership will open up for students and I hope that many are able to take advantage of this opportunity,” said Arrington. “The École du Louvre boasts a rich, vibrant intellectual community engaged in nearly all facets of art history.”
Professor Nathan Arrington teaching the intensive seminar “Touch and Greek Art” at the École du Louvre (Photo/ Stéphane Richard)