Ecole des Beaux-Arts, << ay KAWL day boh ZAHR, >> is a national school of fine arts in Paris. The Ecole des Beaux-Arts is one of the oldest and most prestigious fine arts schools in the world. It dates from a school founded by Cardinal Jules Mazarin in 1648. Some of the great French artists who trained at the school include Moreau, Degas, Monet, Renoir, and Sisley. The Ecole des Beaux-Arts became famous during the 1800’s and early 1900’s for its architectural teaching. It promoted the design of buildings according to ancient Greek and Roman architectural models. It influenced the teaching of architecture and the design of civic buildings in many countries, including the United States. However, after the late 1960’s, the school no longer offered architectural instruction.
Today, the Ecole des Beaux-Arts offers a wide range of visual arts courses, including drawing, engraving, lithography, mosaic, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, stained-glass windows, and tapestry. The school is known for placing a strong emphasis on traditional design. The full name of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts is Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts.
