As we look forward to welcoming Professor Claude Cernuschi to the French Library on Wednesday, June 4, we invited him to take on the Proust Questionnaire—a timeless series of questions that offers a more personal glimpse into his world.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Meanness.
On what occasion do you lie?
When telling the truth does not help and hurts other people’s feelings.
Which living person do you most despise?
Vladimir Putin.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
After getting up in the morning? The books I have written.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
House cat.
Who are your favorite writers?
Shakespeare, Jane Austen, George Sand, Edith Wharton, Gogol, George Eliot, Émile Zola, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Thomas Mann, Albert Camus.
How would you like to die?
In my 90s, playing roller hockey.
Professor Cernuschi is Professor Emeritus of Art History at Boston College, where he chaired the department and built a distinguished career exploring the psychological and philosophical dimensions of modern art. His publications on artists such as Jackson Pollock, Oskar Kokoschka, and Egon Schiele have shaped contemporary understanding of Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism. His work brings a nuanced perspective to the emotional intensity and existential themes that also permeate Van Gogh’s paintings.
Join us on June 4th for what promises to be an engaging evening as Professor Cernuschi delves into Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits, currently on view at the MFA Boston. Through the lens of psychology, cultural identity, and human connection, he will shed new light on these intimate portraits and the artist who created them. The talk will be followed by a wine reception.
What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Meanness.
On what occasion do you lie?
When telling the truth does not help and hurts other people’s feelings.
Which living person do you most despise?
Vladimir Putin.
What or who is the greatest love of your life?
My wife.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
After getting up in the morning? The books I have written.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
House cat.
Who are your favorite writers?
Shakespeare, Jane Austen, George Sand, Edith Wharton, Gogol, George Eliot, Émile Zola, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Thomas Mann, Albert Camus.
How would you like to die?
In my 90s, playing roller hockey.
Professor Cernuschi is Professor Emeritus of Art History at Boston College, where he chaired the department and built a distinguished career exploring the psychological and philosophical dimensions of modern art. His publications on artists such as Jackson Pollock, Oskar Kokoschka, and Egon Schiele have shaped contemporary understanding of Expressionism and Abstract Expressionism. His work brings a nuanced perspective to the emotional intensity and existential themes that also permeate Van Gogh’s paintings.
Join us on June 4th for what promises to be an engaging evening as Professor Cernuschi delves into Van Gogh: The Roulin Family Portraits, currently on view at the MFA Boston. Through the lens of psychology, cultural identity, and human connection, he will shed new light on these intimate portraits and the artist who created them. The talk will be followed by a wine reception.
Sophie Schlenker
Cultural Programs Manager
Sophie is originally from Montpellier and holds a Maîtrise from Sorbonne Université. After moving to New York, she began her career at the French Cultural Services and went on to work as a literary agent, selling books on both sides of the Atlantic. She also worked in licensing for MTV Networks and in events logistics for the European Union delegation to the UN. Having also lived in California and Switzerland, she is excited to explore Boston’s unique blend of history and innovation while contributing to its lively cultural community.
