Painting Her Pleasure
Three Women Artists and the Nude in Avant-Garde Paris
While sexuality and the nude were prime subjects for male artists in the early twentieth century, for female artists, revealing sexual desire on canvas was deemed unacceptable. Painting Her Pleasure examines three remarkable women who defied this convention.
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Lauren Jimerson, PhD
Art Historian and Licensed Guide in Paris
My passion for teaching began during a transformative experience at the Vatican in 2009, where I led my first tour. Since then, I have guided over a thousand tours, bringing art history to life for audiences from around the world. As a licensed guide in Paris with a doctorate in art history, I offer my expertise in a way that is engaging and relatable to visitors of all ages and backgrounds.
I am an art historian and a French National Guide specializing in luxury art experiences. My research focuses on modern art in France and the U.S., particularly in the realm of gender studies, women artists, and visual culture. I completed my doctorate at Rutgers University, having previously pursued an MA at the Courtauld Institute, and a BA at Cornell University. A Fulbright fellowship brought me to Paris in 2015, and I have called this enchanting city home ever since.
Wishing to share my scholarship on women artists with the world, I launched an online art history platform in 2020, educating audiences on issues of gender and race in art while spotlighting underrepresented artists throughout history. I contribute to exhibitions on women artists at museums such as the Barnes Foundation, Musée de Montmartre, Musée du Luxembourg/Grand Palais, and Centre Pompidou Metz, and my book, Painting Her Pleasure: Three Women Artists in Avant-Garde Paris, is forthcoming in 2023. As an art history commentator, I have appeared on NBC's The Today Show and France 24.
With over a decade of experience leading scholarly tours in Paris and Rome, I am dedicated to creating lasting memories by turning history into a compelling story, catering to your unique interests, and sparking engaging discussions. Join me for an unforgettable art experience, and together, we will embark on a seamless and enriching journey through the Parisian world of art!
I believe that art history can be accessible, comprehensible and meaningful for all. Through storytelling, I bring art history to life.
Media Appearances
Interviews on the international TV channel France 24 and the Today Show on NBC.
Learn and connect through online art history experiences. Join an intimate community for live discussions on art and more!
Research
My current research centers on women artists, gender studies, and visual culture. I recently completed a book entitled Painting Her Pleasure: Three Modern Artists and the Nude in Avant-Garde Paris, forthcoming from Manchester University Press in 2023. Examining nudes by Suzanne Valadon, Émilie Charmy and Marie Vassilieff, I reveal how these artists contravened gender norms to express female subjectivity and sexuality in paint.
Testimonials
“Your courses have added great value to my life. Since we started a couple of years during the pandemic, I’ve noticed a difference now when I go to museums. Your courses have contributed to a richer, more wholesome experience. And in a day and age where people don’t want to tackle hard subjects, you offer a safe space to discuss and deal with them head on. Well done. I’ll never go into a museum by myself or with others and not have a different frame and not look at art from new angles.” Michel Ishakian, VA
"Having studied art history with you for two years, this newly gained knowledge made the trip to France even more meaningful. This was clear to me when I recognized works of art in the Louvre that we had discussed together in class. I have gone from knowing very little about art to being knowledgeable. You have brought out my creativity." Judy Greenberg, VA
"Our tour with Lauren was absolutely a highlight of our trip. Afterward, we kept talking about how we never would have known ...what to see, or the story behind the things we saw if we had roamed the museum ourselves... She made sure we got to see the pieces and artifacts that were of importance to us. She then sent us a follow up email with links to the pieces we saw, which is going to be tremendously helpful when going back over photos.Lauren is warm, kind, and profoundly knowledgeable. The whole trip was amazing, and Lauren was absolutely a part of making it so. I don’t recommend visiting without her." Kristen Floyd, Baltimore MD
"Lauren’s breadth of knowledge is vast and she makes the tours interesting for both the adults and especially the kids. My kids adore her and the last time we went to Paris the first thing they asked was if we were seeing Lauren. It seems there isn’t a single fact about the City Of Lights that she does not know. We cannot wait to go back and see more of that fabulous city with her!" Erika White, Miami, FL
"I can honestly say that Lauren made our trip to Paris spectacular...Lauren's knowledge, her passion, her energy, her recommendations, her time management-everything about Lauren introducing us to Paris was perfect. Lauren showed us where the locals hung out and gave us recommendations of where to go on our free time. Our time with Lauren did not feel like we were with a tour guide. We felt like we were with a Parisian Family member who had lived and studied in Paris her entire life." Candace Chazen, Gaithersburg, MD