Lecture on dandyism and flâneurs with Natalya Evseeva

60 Euro

The Topic of Our Meeting: Dandyism and the Flâneur

In the 19th century, European culture gave rise to the figure of the flâneur — an urban dweller who strolls through the city without a specific purpose, observing the crowd and the life of the metropolis. Many poets, writers, and artists were flâneurs, seeking inspiration in the rhythms of big cities, including Charles Baudelaire, Honoré de Balzac, and the Impressionist painters. Closely connected to the figure of the flâneur is the dandy — a man of style and refinement, for whom flânerie also becomes part of his way of life.

At the beginning of the 20th century, flâneurism, though transformed, did not lose its relevance. The philosopher Walter Benjamin and other thinkers of the time introduced the concept of social flâneurism: the person of the 1920s lives in constant motion, traveling the world; cities become a changing backdrop, and automobiles, ocean liner cabins, and train compartments replace the home.

During Natalia Evseeva’s lecture, we will speak about dandyism and flâneurs, learn what recommendations Honoré de Balzac gave to walkers in his Treatise on Elegant Living, and look at examples from 19th- and 20th-century art.

To fully immerse ourselves in the artistic context, we will taste specially selected wines accompanied by light appetizers.

The events are held in Russian for people over 18 years old.