Lauren Jimerson, PhD
Art Historian and Licensed Guide in Paris
My journey began at the Vatican in 2009 where I led my first tour. While guiding visitors through the Eternal City, I realized my passion for teaching. Since then I have led over a thousand tours. As a licensed guide in Paris, my goal is to make art and history come to life and
to create lasting memories. I do this by turning history into a compelling story, paying attention to your specific interests, encouraging questions, and sparking discussion. With a doctorate in art history, I offer my expertise in a way that is engaging and relatable
to visitors of all ages.
In addition to sharing my passion for art with visitors in museums in Paris, I am an art historian and independent scholar. My research examines modern art in France and the U.S., with a focus on gender studies, women artists, and the intersections of art and literature. I earned my doctorate from Rutgers University, master's degree from the Courtauld Institute and bachelor’s from Cornell University. My research has benefited from grants including the Fulbright Fellowship to France, a Mellon Dissertation Fellowship, and a doctoral exchange program at the École normale supérieure.
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 Early 20th century 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