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Hazing and Pranks in the Academies

Initiations for incoming students

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James Gurney
Jun 22, 2025
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Student Life in the Ateliers

Nineteenth-century French art academies and ateliers were known not only for their rigorous instruction but also for a culture of student hazing and pranks. These practices served as initiation, camaraderie, and rites of passage.

Senior students frequently orchestrated pranks that targeted new arrivals. These could involve ab…

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