A light-hearted look at seaside entertainment over the years, from Bathing Machines to End of the Pier Shows and “What the Butler Saw” machines. The British seaside began with the fashion for sea bathing in the 18th century, but expanded enormously in the 19th century with the arrival of the railways and the era of mass travel. We look at the specialist buildings which proliferated at the seaside in the 19th century, such as piers, towers and aquaria, that provided entertainment for the masses – not to mention that famous breed, the seaside landlady!

The many sides of Marilyn Monroe: civil rights activist, feminist crusader and sexual revolutionist. She was the most exciting and powerful woman of the 20th Century. A screen goddess and cultural icon who is the symbol of our secret desires today. 

In this talk we will explore how an innocent orphan from California became a manufactured “dumb blonde” while successfully manipulating the Hollywood studio system. Her marriages to other American icons in sport and in literature show us how she has today become a fascinating enigma.

A history of the Vincennes-Sèvres factory and its productions up to the French Revolution. This lecture will begin by looking at the patronage of Louis XV and Mme. de Pompadour, the establishment of the factory in the disused royal château of Vincennes, the fashion for porcelain flowers, the development of the early ground colours, such as bleu lapis and bleu celeste and the influence of François Boucher. 

The lecture will go on to discuss the move to Sèvres and the creation of a truly Royal factory, the development of the later ground colours, the royal table services, the taste for porcelain-mounted furniture and the fashion for biscuit porcelain figures.

Antoni Gaudí is well known and much loved. In this lecture, his work will be explored in detail. It will be shown how he engaged with nature in the most innovative and extraordinary ways. Inspired by honeycombs and spiders' webs, armadillo skins and mushrooms, trees and whales' bellies, he worked with extraordinary ceramicists, ironworkers, tilers and decorative artists.

We will look at his public and private buildings and his relationship with a wealthy and demanding patron. Private, shy and retiring, he was also humorous and witty in his extravagant style.

At the beginning of his career, Romanian sculptor Brâncuși spent a couple of months working in Auguste Rodin's studio, leaving because of his conviction that "Nothing can grow under big trees."  Breaking out from beneath Rodin's shadow, he became one of the most influential sculptors of the 20th-century and a pioneer of modernism.  

His work was so radical and simplified that it caused controversy, not least when American customs officials refused to accept his Bird in Space as a work of art at all!  We will explore his life and career and feature some of his key works.

At some stage in their life most of us have received or sent a valentine card. While enthusiasm for such a romantic gesture has fluctuated over the years, the symbolism has remained enduring. This talk explores the expressions of roses, hearts and cupids as depicted by generations of engravers and concludes with the satirical and elaborate confections of the late Victorian era.

Two artists developed radically opposing approaches to the emotive power of landscape painting in Britain in the early 19th Century. One was dramatic, bombastic and fiery, intending to provoke powerful emotions and elevated thoughts. The other was spiritual, heartfelt and closely observed, asking the viewer to react to an intense, inward and personal approach to nature. These two artists were JMW Turner and John Constable, the leading British artists of their day. Not only did they approach painting in different ways but their lives were opposites as well. This lecture will explore their different approaches and their famous bitter rivalry.

Uplifting Music for Christmas

To kick off our seasonal celebrations, musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett is on hand to share his selection of much-loved Christmas tunes.

Expect an hour of the finest festive music from across the globe – his selections include sparkling moments from Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, a heartwarming ballad from Mel Tormé, something from Soweto, a heavenly chorus from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Leipzig, an illustration of the English carol tradition at its finest  and something more cynical from Eartha Kitt…

In the early 19th century, the Forest of Fontainebleau—just 35 miles from Paris—became a magnet for artists seeking escape from urban life and fresh inspiration. With paintboxes in hand, they ventured into its ancient oaks, marshes, and dramatic rock formations, embracing the challenges of painting en plein air. This immersive approach sparked a transformation in French landscape painting. Through the works of Rousseau, Millet, and Diaz de la Peña, we’ll explore the radical spirit of the Barbizon painters and how their deep engagement with nature laid the groundwork for Impressionism’s emergence in nearby villages like Barbizon.

There will be no electricity at the Hall on Tuesday 28th October so unfortunately this lecture will be postponed until further notice.

A reflection on how the ‘Art of the English Garden’ has changed over the centuries.

Moving from classical landscapes through Victorian decadence to modern planting schemes Gillian will discuss how the ideals of the ‘perfect’ garden have changed and are still developing today. The simplicity of William Kent’s Rousham is followed by the ornament of gardens such as Stowe and Stourhead. The impact of the intrepid Plant Hunters will be explored. After visiting some famous 20th century delights, we end with a garden which has maintained its glory and interest over the centuries, Chatsworth.

The kimono, literally meaning ‘wear’ (ki) and ‘thing’ (mono), is a traditional garment worn by both men and women in Japan. But it is so much more than that. Rich in symbolism and encapsulating the best in textile design and techniques through the ages, the kimono has a fascinating history that reflects wider aspects of Japanese life and culture.

From everyday kimono to wedding kimono to the elaborate dress of Japanese geisha, this lecture will trace the story of the kimono, its past and its present, and the place that it occupies in the world of contemporary fashion.

For what do we live but to make sport for our neighbours,
and laugh at them in our turn?    Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen was a gifted social satirist.  Despite the fact that her novels are best known today as love stories, she delights in lampooning human folly and vanity throughout her work. We know that Austen was inspired by satirical writings of the 18th century, but to what extent may she have been influenced by the satirical art of her day? This lecture will explore links between the visual image and the written word; it will draw on a range of prints published during Austen's lifetime and consider how far these visual images may have influenced and inspired one of our greatest and best-loved novelists.

In 1925, 16 million visitors witnessed PARIS’S EXPO - The International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts.

What would we have seen in this landmark exhibition, if we had been one of those visitors? What drew the crowds? And how did this seminal exhibition play a fundamental role in giving rise to a new international and truly GLOBAL style that we have come to know as ART DECO?

It’s August 4th, 1914. Imagine you are a poster artist and Lord Kitchener has just handed you the hottest commercial art brief in history: persuade 250,000 men to sign up before Christmas! What would you do?

At the outbreak of WWI, posters were the most effective weapon of mass communication.  Now they had to be more effective than ever before. 

This talk compares propaganda from Britain, France, Germany, America and Russia through the art of Leete, Christy, Erdt and many others.

Whether drawing duchesses or portraying princes, John Singer Sargent (1856–1925) was high society’s leading portraitist. Flaunting a consummate technique, his luxurious canvases mirrored his subjects’ wealth. Yet beneath the dazzling veneer of works such as Madame X, The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit and Lady Agnew of Lochnaw lurks a much rawer world by far. Sargent certainly scandalised Parisian society and the city’s Salon with his frank depictions of human sexuality, yet he was even more modern than they might have feared.

This talk charts the artist’s life and his prolific output, showing that, like the era he came to represent, Sargent was always on the cusp of seismic change.

Contemporary sculptor and installation artist Cornelia Parker is best known for her large-scale installations such as her (literally!) explosive work Cold Dark Matter: An Exploded View (1991), in which Parker took the archetypal British garden shed, and its contents, and had it blown up by the British Army. The debris is then installed around a single light bulb, creating the dramatic effect of an explosion frozen in time.

She transforms everyday objects in order to investigate their nature and value. However, such destruction very often results in work of extraordinary beauty and maps an intriguing and unique thought process.

Join professional Rome tourist guide Stuart Harvey for a journey upstream along the River Tiber as it winds through Rome from the Tiber Island to Ponte Milvio just north of the city centre. Starting with the legend of Romulus and Remus and the founding of Rome, and leading us through to the Unification of Italy and Rome’s new role as a modern capital city, the Tiber will lead us through 28 centuries of Roman history told by the historic bridges and riverside monuments. Roman Emperors, Renaissance Popes, Kings of Italy and some of the important and controversial political figures of the 19th and 20th centuries will feature along the way as we enjoy the beautiful views of Er Biondo Tevere ... The Blond Tiber as it is known in Rome.

Photo credit: Julius Silver

From seraphim and cherubim to archangels and fallen angels, these celestial heralds have long captured hearts and imaginations.

Discover angels as public art, monument, memorial and flights of the imagination, all hidden within the unique square mile of the City of London.

Angels are all around us – we just need to know where to look!

Please find the following references of the images that were shared at Alexandra's lecture:

St Michael Cornhill
Stained Glass: Clayton & Bell
Wood Carving: William Gibbs Rogers
Tympanum and Angels: John Birnie Phillips
World War One Memorial: Richard Goulden
St Michael's Alley 

City Wing
Christopher Le Brun
Threadneedle Walk 

St Lawrence Jewry
Stained Glass: Christopher Webb
Guildhall Yard 

St Paul’s Cathedral
Monument to the Viscounts Melbourne: Carlo Marochetti
Quire Mosaics: William Blake Richmond

St Mary Abchurch
Painted Dome: William Snow
Abchurch Yard 

St Botolph Aldgate
Ornamental Ceiling Plasterwork: John Francis Bentley
Aldgate High Street 

Tallow Chandlers Hall
Coat of Arms (above door)
4 Dowgate Hill 

Chartered Accountants Hall
Architectural Sculpture: Hamo Thornycroft, Harry Bates
One Moorgate Place 

Central Criminal Court 
Architectural Sculpture: FW Pomeroy, Alfred Turner
Old Bailey 

St Michael Paternoster Royal
Stained Glass: John Hayward
College Hill 

St Mary Aldemary
Stained Glass: Lawrence Lee, John Crawford
Bow Lane 

St Etheldreda’s
Stained Glass: Eddie Nuttgens, Charles Blakeman
Ely Place, around corner from Hatton Garden 

Prudential Assurance Building (now known as Holborn Bars)
World War One Memorial: FW Blundstone
138 -142 Holborn 

Paternoster Vents
Thomas Heatherwick
Ave Maria Lane off Paternoster Square 

Angel Heads 
Emily Young
Juxon House, St Paul's Churchyard 

If you would like any further information or would like to join Alexandra's mailing list please email her as below:
Alexandra Epps
Art in the City
07976 262519
alex@artcity.co.uk
www.artcity.co.uk
 

This lecture tells the Christmas story through a selection of well-loved paintings and illuminated manuscripts by Italian and Flemish Artists, including Botticelli, Fra Angelico and Jan van Eyck together with many less well-known images.  From the Annunciation to the Nativity, the Journey of the Kings and the Flight into Egypt, it explores the rich symbolism of Christmas imagery, highlights the ways in which spiritual ideas and devotional practice shaped the depiction of the narrative, and introduces some less familiar aspects of the story, such as the midwives and Joseph’s stockings.

Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum is one of the oldest in the world.  Founded by Elias Ashmole in 1683, it received its first piece of silver in 1790.  Since then its British silver collection has grown into one of the finest of its kind in the world.  2009 marked the completion of a major refurbishment of the museum, including 39 new galleries designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Rick Mather.  This lecture will tell the story of the museum’s silver collection – one as much about people as objects – and describe something of the exciting transformation of the museum.

Monopoly is one of the most successful board games of all time, but how well do we really know it?  This talk covers the origin of the game and then focusses on the classic 1936 London board. How the properties were selected, the relationship between the members of each set, and which ones don’t actually exist are just some of the questions addressed in this lecture.  Expect some surprises and great images as we look at the history of these familiar locations and uncover some of the mysteries behind Monopoly.   Everyone will learn something new about this familiar old friend of a board game.

From July to September 2024 Paris will host the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Whilst most onlookers will focus on sport, art and design will also play a part as they have done since the games began at Olympia nearly 3,000 years ago.  Greek art is replete with representations of athletes on vases, plates and bronzes.  Every four years modern day hosts unveil dazzling new architecture in the form of stadia, arenas, velodromes and swimming pools.  The athletes themselves act as torch bearers for ever changing ideals of physical perfection.  From nudity to Nike, from sand to synthetics, the Olympic story offers art lovers pure gold.

In 2008, Caroline presented a BBC Radio 4 series called ‘A Sunparched Country’.  The focus was how the country was coping with drought whilst the inspiration came from Dorothea McKellar’s celebratory poem ‘My Country’.  Inspired by the Australian landscape and the major art galleries in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide she has created a lecture that explores its extraordinary climatic contrasts prompted by McKellar’s words. The talk will cover the patterned hands of ancient Aboriginal cave paintings, the dreams of pioneers, the unique botanical treasures, the glorious light captured by Australia’s own Impressionists and finally the rediscovery of its indigenous art.

When it comes to Dutch flower paintings the only real expert in the field (often literally) is the insect that lives off the stems and the petals.  From Bouquets to Bread Rolls and Mince Pies to Money, this lecture will help us to discover the enormous symbolism that is conveyed by simple everyday objects, rendered with breath-taking accuracy and conveying powerful moral meaning.   Examining works by artists of the period, we shall explore an incredible array of themes such as the corruption of abundance, the mutability and ephemerality of life and the inevitability of death.

One of the most extraordinary artists from Valencia, Joaquin Sorolla has become better known more recently.  He lived from 1863 – 1923 and created a world full of light and colour which delights the senses.  Sometimes a social painter, he was more concerned with capturing light falling on bodies and seascapes and his wonderful technique will be considered in this colourful lecture.   His final Visions of Spain now in New York will also be shown.

Prague is one of the great treasure houses of Europe.  Reduced to near ruin under the communists, it has now been restored to its former glory, a unique blend of Gothic, Baroque and Art Nouveau architecture.  The lecture looks at the rich fabric of Prague’s past, its legends and its history, as well as the artists, composers, statesmen and rogues who have illuminated this fairy tale city.

We all know Van Gogh. We know the Sunflowers, Starry Night, his self-portraits, his bright prismatic colour applied with energetic strokes of the brush. We know his life was not an easy one, but why is he so famous? What makes his paintings instantly recognisable? His failure to find sales or success during his lifetime, his suffering leading to self-mutilation and later to suicide at the age of 37 are all well known. What happened during his short life, and afterwards to transform him into the world's best loved artist?

Many of Britain's best-loved country houses were created in the 'Baroque' period (c.1660-1720). Visiting some of the most iconic houses of the period, including Chatsworth, Petworth and Blenheim, we will meet the patrons who created them, and look at some of the highlights of their sumptuous interiors, gardens and collections, addressing the question: what is 'Baroque'?

The Impressionist Movement of the late 19th and early 20th century produced some of the finest snow paintings in the history of art. Rich in wonderful images, this lecture combines paintings by both well known and lesser known artists.

Rupert presents a lively introduction to the Bayeux Tapestry in which he unravels some of its mysteries, places it in the context of its age, and firmly establishes it as a landmark in the history of Western art.

Kirsty will introduce the ideas and ideals behind what brought together a highly individual group of men and women to produce architecture, craft and art at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century.

The UK's Royal Collection contains over a million objects and this talk reveals the dramatic histories, plots and intrigue of the most unexpected and spectacular objects that make up one of the world's most important art collections.

This talks explores innovative garden design and architecture, together with the lavish interiors , to tell the shocking story.

Annalie will explore the afterlives of literary portraits and their use in popular culture

This lecture asks how and why the City of Dreams became a cultural hotbed around 1900.

Helen Oakden, is head of Art History at St Marys, Ascot and became an Art Society accredited lecturer in 2022.  The lecture she will be giving is Renaissance Marriage and Mythology. Taking one mythological work from each of the three major Italian cities;  Venice, Florence and Rome, Helen will explore the extraordinary secrets of Renaissance marriage. Giorgione’s Sleeping Venus, Botticelli’s Primavera and Raphael’s Galatea show the differences between each city, their attitudes towards brides, ideals of love and even bizarre anatomical beliefs.  With such a focused analysis of just three works of art, the talk will uncover the politics, personalities and sex lives of the Renaissance rich and famous.   Whilst it sounds a fascinating lecture, please be aware that many  images contain nudity and the talk contains the topics of conception, sexual violence and eroticism.

2022 is the centenary of the discovery of the treasures and 2023 will celebrate the anniversary of the opening of the tomb for the first time in 3,000 years.

A look at backstage life at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden and the pressures faced by performers be they singer, dancer, conductor or musician.

This lecture will take us on a journey through a range of different depictions of the Annunciation and explore the ways in which artists have captured this pivotal moment of the Christian story.

2022 is the 25th birthday of the Museum and in celebration of this anniversary Sian's lecture covers all aspects of the Museum as well as looking at the architecture of Frank Gehry.

In this lecture we will look at some wonderful paintings that have sold for top prices in the last few years as collectors are prepared to pay astonishing amounts to own a modern masterpiece.

Light, Camera, Action ! - Geri will tell us the inside stories of the art and artifice of the early decades of Hollywood.

This lecture looks at the.life and work of this country's greatest animal painter putting Stubbs in the context of British sporting artits of the eighteenth century more generally.

Pubs and their signs are a fundamental part of our history and cultural heritage.   In this lecture, John shows some of the most interesting and distinctive signs before exploring the fascinating stories behind the origin of some of their peculiar names.   Who would fail to be intrigued by 'The Bucket of Blood', 'The Cow and Snuffers' or even the 'Eager Poet' - and who on earth was 'Blind Jack'?

Mankind has exploited the medicinal properties of plants for thousands of years, yet the role of plants in modern medicine is still considered to be peripheral by many people.   This talk attempts to put the record straight and to show that plant products are used every day by all of us to relieve pain and suffering, to heal wounds and cure diseases.

In an age where women had little public power,  Isabella d'Este (1474 - 1539) stands out as a formidable figure.    She was one of the first and greatest female patrons and art collectors of the Renaissance, and her court in Mantua was filled with writers and poets of distinction.   Her clever, educated and entitled voice sings out from thousands of letters which she composed in her meticulously designed study, and images - from Da Vinci to Titian - bring alive a woman whose eye for fashion was every bit as keen as her eye for art.

There is more to the world of street art than Banksy.    Hidden Canvases is a beginner's guide to the biggest art movement since pop art.   From train writing in New York to interactive technology that brings murals to life, the concept of un-commissioned public art is a very different beast to that which it once was.   Hidden Canvases explores the key stages in street art's growth, examining the different elements and styles that comprise the scene with no rules.   From the internatiolnal superstars to the local underground heroes you are guarnateed to leave knowing your Invader from your Aryz and who knows uou might even start looking at the world a little differently.

On the basis of sensational new evidence from archaeological fieldwork, Neil will contrast the legend of Lawrence of Arabia with the true story of what happened in the famous desert war of 1916 to 1918.   Is the legend a myth ?  Was Lawrence, as some claim, a liar and a charlatan or does the legend reflelct reality?  Was he in fact a brilliant military commander and a sincere advocate of the Arab national cause ?   We will analyse the invention and re-invention of the legend from 1919 onwards through memoirs, photos, films, paintings, biographies and documentaries and then contrast the legend with the biography of the man himself.

Using illustrations from illuminated manuscripts, readings from literature and contemporary accounts, and the haunting songs, carols and lively dance tunes of medieval England, Sarah brings alive the spirit of a mediaeval Christmas - a time of joy and celebration for some, but hardship and suffering for others.   With extracts from literature and manorial household accounts, she pieces together life in a medieval manor house at Yuletide.   In addition to her reproduction medieval harps, Sarah adds plucked psaltery, hurdy-gurdy, hammered dulcimer and gemshorn to the musical mix, performing carols, music and readings for an atmospheric and musical seasonal celebration.

The seventeenth century English garden was a highly formal creation, based on the very latest fashions coming out of France, spiced with some Dutch plantsmanship under the influence of William of Orange.   Eighteenth century architecure and gardening was a complete reaction to Baroque formalism and symmetry.    Vanbrugh, a thorough baroque if maverick genius, foresaw the rise of the Romanticism, while Repton, at the end of the century, tamed the excesses of the Picturesque and we will learn what happened in between.

Occupying a pair of early Georgian townhouses nestled in historic Greenwich, the story of how the Fan Museum came to fruition dovetails into the multifaceted history of the hand held fan.   From an especially rare Elizabethan-period embroidered folding fan to contemporary examples decorated by street artists, discover some of the key obejcts within the Museum's extraordinary collections which encompass more than 5,000 fans and related objects dating from the eleventh century to the present day and gathered from most parts of the world.

Wine has been part of our global society for over 7,000 years, and the story tells of its origin and appearance in all societies across the Mediterranean and through Europe.   There is rich evidence of the role wine has played in these socieites and how it became an important component of faith, well-being and festivity.   From the kwevris of Georgia in 5,000 B.C., the symposia in ancient Greece, the thermopolia of Pompeii, the hospices of Europe, to the dining tables of fine society wine has been ever present.   Drawings, paintings, engravings, buildings, pottery and wine labels themselves all contribute to the story.

Our industrialised throw-away culture has recently been answered by a resurgence in craft, as makers set up shop to shape wood, mould glass, beat metals, marble and bind paper and much besides.   Great craftspeople turn raw material into objects of purpose and soul through intelligence and skill.  But what are their stories ?  After writing well over a hundred acticles on makers for the Financial Times, through interviews that encountered triumphs, re-births, extinctions and even explosions, the speaker reflects on what it takes to create objects of beauty and utility, and to make a livng through a life of making.

This lecture title borrows William Shakespeare's stirring words from King Richard II and Horace Walpole's vivid description of a pearl-laden Queen Elizabeth I.  Medieval and Tudor monarchs understood that the visual beauty and rarity of precious gem-stones expressed and enhanced their regal power and status.   In this talk we will look at portraits of monarchs including King Richard II in the Wilton Diptych to Queen Elizabeth I in Nicholas Hilliard's painted miniatures, jewels such as Princess Blanche's dazzling crown, the Royal Gold Cup in the British Museum and Henry V's rock crystal sceptre linked to the City of London and the Battle of Agincourt as well as tracing the sources of the stones.

 From the eighteenth to the twenty first century, from the Napoleonic Wars to soldiers on the front line during World War One or the public sheltering in London's underground stations during the Blitz, war has inspired grand, patriotic 'history' painting and strong protest art as well as some of the most poignant evocations of the world of peace.   Not only have artists recorded their impressions of war but they have also registered the uncertainty, pain and opposition felt by those caught in its crossfire.  Picasso tellingly remarked, 'Painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war'.  This lecture considers some of the ways in which visions of the 'heroic' have changed over the years.

Although not always acknowledged nowadays, this 17th century Spanish artist is one of the most influential painters in the history of art.  Born in Seville in 1599, he moved up to Madrid where his portraiture was so successfull that by the age of 24 he was the only artist permitted to paint the King of Spain.   After his death, the cool elegance of his style, his ability to discover a sense of dignity and humanity in even the simplist of subjects, coupled with his breathtakingly daring treatment of paint was widely admired by generations of artists from Whistler to Picasso, who famously described him as 'The Great Magician of Art.

Coventry is the UK City of Culture in 2021 so this lecture has been arranged to compliment this. 

Alexandra will take us through the extraordinary story of the rebuilding of the Cathedral as a symbol of peace and reconciliation and its inspiring commitment to the modern.  Experience the work of many of the world-class artists associated with its treasures incuding Epstein, Frink, Piper and Sutherland.

Murder, poison, corruption and incest : all perfect ingredients for sensational popular culture.  But in an age known for its brutality and church corruption were the Borgia's really so bad ?   This lecture reveals the real family that dominated the Papacy and Italian politics during the last decade of the 15th Century: the charismatic figure of Pope Alexander VI, the career of his son, Cesare, cardinal, general, employer of Da Vinci and the model for Machiavelli's The Prince, and the journey of Lucrezia Borgia from 'the greatest whore in Rome' to a devout and treasured duchess of the city Ferrara.  Sometimes truth is more intoxicating than myth.

Where better to spend yuletide than in snowy Russia ?   Imagine yourself wrapped in furs, speeding along in a troika, bells ringing, as you come home from church after celebratng the end of the 40 day Christmas fast.   This lecture explores the traditional religious and folk customs associated with Christmas in Russia before the Revolution, the secular celebrations introduced to Russia by Peter the Great, the drastic changes introduced in Soviet times by Stalin, and what Christmas means to Russians today.

2020 is an important year marking the 500th anniversary of Raphael's death, which will be commemorated by a number of important exhibitions and events worldwide.   Raphael is often referred to as one of the three giants of the High Renaissance in Italy alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci yet his career was short lived since he died tragically young, aged just 37.   Nevertheless in this relatively short space of time he progressed from a series of modest initial commissions in and around his home town of Urbino to the covetous position of one of the leading artists at the court of Pope Julius II.   We will expore how Raphael achieved this extraordinary rise in status, tracing the deveopment of early works under the influence of Perugino and Pinturicchio to encounters with Michelangelo and Leonardo in Florence, and finally an examination of the later masterpieces of painting and drawing created in Rome.

We will look at the rich architectural and artistic heritage of Sicily - the largest and one of the wealthiest islands of the ancient Mediterranean.   First the Carthaginians, and their atmospheric culture, still visible on the small island of Motya, and then the Greeks, with beautiful cities such as Agrigento, and Syracuse and Segesta, with some of the Mediterranean's most stunning ruins - beautiful temples and theatres.  Then Roman Sicily, peaceful and prosperous, with cities such as Syracuse and Taormina and the sumptious 'mosaic villa' of Piazza Armerina.    After Rome, the Arabs and then Norman Sicily - an extraordinary artistic flourishing, culminating in the mosaics of the mighty Norman basilicas.

There is more to the world of street art than Banksy,  Hidden Canvases is a beginner's guide to the biggest art movement since pop art.   From train writing in New York to interactive technology that brings murals to life, the concept of un-commissioned public art is a very different beast to that which it once was.   Hidden Canvases explores the key stages in street art's growth, examining the different elements and styles that comprise the scene with no rules.   From the international superstars to the local underground heroes you are guaranteed to leave knowing your Invader from your Aryz and who knows you might even start looking at the world a little differently.

On the basis of sensational new evidence from archaeological fieldwork, Neil will contrast the legend of Lawrence of Arabia with the true story of what happenend in the famous desert war of 1916 to 1918.   Is the legend a myth ?   Was Lawrence, as some claim, a liar and a charlatan?   Or does the legend reflect reality ?  Was he, in fact, a brilliant military commander and a sincere advocate of the Arab national cause ?  Neil will also offer a new narrative and analysis of the war based on the archaeological evidence, leading to a new assessment both of Lawrence's role and achievements, and of the relationship between art and reality in the creation of 'celebrity'.

Wine has been part of our global society for over 7,000 years, and the story tells of its origin and appearance in all societies across the Mediterranean and through Europe.   There is rich evidence of the role wine has played in these societies and how it became an important component of faith, well-being and festivity.   From the kwevris of Georgia in 5,000 B.C., the symposia in ancient Greece, the thermopolia of Pompeii, the hospices of Europe, to the dining tables of fine society wine has been ever present.   Drawings, paintings, engravings, buildings, pottery and wine labels themselves all contribute to the story.

From the eighteenth to the twenty-first century, from the Napoleonic wars to soldiers on the front line during World War One or the public sheltering in London's underground stations during the Blitz, war has inspired grand, patriotic 'history' painting and strong protest art as well as some of the most poignant evocations of the world of peace.   Not only have artists recorded their impressions of war but they have also registered the uncertainty, pain and opposition felt by those caught in its crossfire.  Picasso tellingly remarked, 'Painting is not done to decorate apartments.  It is an insrument of war.'  This lecure considers some of the ways in which visions of the 'heroic' have changed over the years.

Occupying a pair of early Georgian townhouses nestled in historic Greenwich, the story of how The Fan Museum came to fruition is interwoven with the fascinating biography of its founder, whose personal collection forms the basis of the Museum's holdings.   From an especially rare Elizabethan-period embroidered folding fan to contemporary examples decorated by street artists, discover some of the key objects within the Museums collection of 5,000 + fans dating from the tenth century to the present day.

From a relatively humble background and limited training in Nottingham, that left her ignorant of developments in contemporary art, Laura Knight progressed to become one of the country's best-known artists and the first female Royal Academician since the 18th century.   Her joie de vivre surfaces in her art, which encompasses sunny beach scenes in Cornwall, portraits of friends, the circus, ballet and theatre.   She loved the atmosphere of gypsy encampments and befriended some of her subjects.   During WWII she received several official commissions,culmnating in her famous depiction of the Nuremburg Trials of 1946.

Well known for his outlandish appearances dressed as his feminine alter ego, Claire, Grayson  Perry is now a core part of the establishment.   A Turner Prize winner, Royal Academician, popular broadcaster and colourful character.   He is possibly one of the world's best known contemporary artists.   His works of ceramics, textiles, tapestries and prints are highly sought after.   Often controversial, he tackles difficult subjects in a poignant yet witty way and holds a mirror up to society.   This talk wiill examine Grayson Perry's work, his exciting and thought-provoking exhibitions, and the uique character inside the flamboyant frocks.

This lecture looks at the history of this peculiarly British institution from its origins in the 16th century Italian commedia dell'arte, through the influence of the 19th century music hall, to the family shows that are still much loved today.   On the way we examine the origins of some of the stories used in pantomime as well as such traditions as the (female) principal boy and the (male) pantomime dame.   The talk is interspersed with personal anecdotes from the speaker's years of working (and appearing) profesionally in pantomime.

Years of working as an artist within the Criminal Justice System in England and Germany have given Angela unique insights into the destructive and costly cycle of crime, prisons and re-offending.  Through extraordinary images of prisoner's art, interspersed with personal stories of art projects, she demonstrates how within the process of creating art there are vital opportunities for offenders to develop key life skills.   In the context of prisons it is clear that the arts are not simply decorative or commercial pastimes, but absolutely vital, hugely relevant and potentially life changing.

Inspired by the bicentenary of John Ruskin's birth, this talk celebrates the extraordinary life and work of this visionary Victorian.   As a writer, teacher, artist, collector, patron and critic, Ruskin left behind a dazzling range of writing and collections that continue to inspire and generate debate around the world.   A champion of Turner and admirer of Venice, Ruskin's impact ranged far and wide.   Alongside this international reach, Ruskin became deeply concerned by what he saw as the negative impacts of the industrialisation of 19th century England.   In 1871 he founded what became the Guild of St. George, the charity for arts, crafts and the rural economy, giving it a sizeable collection of art, books and minerals for public display and education in Sheffield, today cared for Museums Sheffield.

This lecture reveals how jewellery has been worn and used, across time and aross place.  Everyone decorates the body but there are differnt notions of how to do so and which parts to decorate.   Based on the collections of the British Museum, where the speaker has worked for more than 40 years, this lecture takes you from ancient burial ornaments by anonymous masters to the big names of the modern world.

Vivaldi is arguably the one Baroque composer whose music is a direct reflection of the city in which is was composed.   Vivaldi was a son of Venice and had an innate understanding of Venice's unique aesthetic, which included a passion for colour, spectable and display of emotion, points that are reflected time and time again in his music.  This lecture, with live musical performances, explores the amazing world of Vivaldi's music - music that is as intrinsically Venetian as the canvasses of Canaletto

Full of stories and personal insight, this lecture traces the history of one of London's leading publishers through its illustrations, covers and designs.   It will feature artists from Rex Whistler and Barnett Freedman to Peter Blake and Damien Hirst and design concepts from the typographical excellence pioneered by Berthld Wolpe to the various 'grids' used y the agency Pentagram.

In this lecture, Lucia will look at the mysterious world of the Ancient Egyptian afterlife through the exploration of the art on the walls of their tombs.   She will focus on the tombs of the New Kingdom period (c1500-1000BC) when Egypt was at the height of its power and prosperity under Pharaohs such as Tutankhamun and Ramesses II.    She will look at scenes on the walls of royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings and others nearby.  Lucia will also introduce us to the stunning array of funerary goods with which they chose to be buried - both a feast for the eyes, and of much religious significance.

The Camden Town Group was an innovative circle of painters united by the desire to paint works of a modern character, combining the techniques and visions of European Post-Impressionism with the changing modernity of Edwardian London.This lecture introduces core members of the group, led by Walter Richard Sickert, and tells the story of their brief but significant association.

This lecture will celebrate the art and architecture of these magnificent cities.  Ravenna, by the 6th century, under the Emperor Justinian 1, had become the seat of Byzantine government in Italy; its wealth and prestige reflected in its magnificent Basilicas of San Vitale and Sant' Apollinare, richly decorated with the glorious mosaics of the Byzantine period.   Bologna reached its zenith in the 13th and 14th centuries.   A centre of learning with its university founded in 1088, considered by many to be the oldest in Europe, its great Gothic churches and elegant colonnades testify to the wealth of the city at that time while its art galleries are filled with paintings ranging from the International Gothic to the Baroque. With Urbino and the reign of Federico da Montefeltro we witess the full flowering of the Italian Renaissance.  This lecture is designed to compliment the planned visit to Italy in May

From the scandal of the painting of Madame X to the trials, tribulations and triumph of Carnation, Lily, Lily, Rose discover the rise, the fall and rise again of John Singer Sargent, the leading portrait painter of his age, the age of elegance.

The great illuminated manuscript Bible in Winchester Cathedral was made there in  the twelth century. It is one of the finest and most astonishing works of art ever made in Britain. The lecture will look at what it comprises and how it was made, and especially at who commissioned it and when.  It will provide new and startling conclusions about the manuscript's origins and date.

Christopher de Hamel is author of Meetings with Remarkable Manuscripts, the best selling art book of the year and winner of the 2017 Wolfson Prize, to be purblished as a Penquin paperback in 2018

`The Silk Road extends over 8,000 kms from China through Central Asia to the Mediterranean and is the greatest trade route the world has ever known.  As well as carrying precious goods it was always the highway for expanding religions and new art forms.  Along the way we will see traditional murals, ceramics, statues, carpets, architecture, mosiacs, tile-work, rock carvings and of course silk itself.

In this lecture we will compare Old Master paintings with modern treatment of the same subjects and examine the extent to which modern art is inspired by the example of earlier eras.   In many ways, modern art has a surprising amount in common with the Old Masters, but there are also, of course, many differences and reinterpretations of subject and style.   We will consider the effect of these differences, and whether they add to or change our understanding of the subject and its message.   Comparisons will be made between many Old Master and modern artists and will include Poussin, Ruisdael, Constable, van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, Masaccio, Titian, Manet, Chagall and Dali.

A fully illustrated talk exploring the relationship between the making of an image and the way in which it is perceived by the viewer.   There will be further discussion around the eye and the brain being an extraordinary double act made up of visual references and intellectual interpretation.   As a professional photograher, Charlie Waite has establishd a worldwide reputation for his particular approach to his work.   His style is unique in that his photographs convey a spiritual quality of serentiy and clm.

This lecture traces the development of sculpture in the twentieth century, from large lumps of marble at one end to unmade beds at the other, and explains how and why this trajectory happened.  Key developments like Cubism, Primitivism, Surrealism and Pop Art all affected sculpture, and are carefully explained within a wide range of illustrations.

The Scandinavian Countries emerged as a powerful force on the European Art Scene around 1900.   Initially artists born in the north travelled south to Copenhagen, Dresden and Rome to gain the necessary academic education; many stayed on in their adopted country to find fame and fortune.   We will look at Bertel Thorvaldsen, second only to Canova in the field of neo-classical sculpture, Vilhelm Hammershoi, regarded as 'Denmark's Vermeer', his work providing a foil to the naturalism of the Skagen Group, an artistic colony that has been likened to our Newlyn School and Danish design that came to the fore in the 20th century - Arnold Krog's Royal Copenhagen  Porcelain, Georg Jensen's silver and Arne Jacobsen's furniture.

The work of S.J. Peploe and J.D. Fergusson was seen in Edinburgh and London in the decade leading up to World War 1 but G.L. Hunter and F.C.B. Cadell were less well known.   All were bold pioneers in the field of rich colour and exuberant brushwork.   The strong light and bright colour they discovered in France was easily harnessed to their favourite places in Scotland.   People, places, interiors, still life were among their favourite subjects. 

Architecture has been experiencing an unprecedented period of vibrancy and international recognition. The variety of new buildings designed by British architects at home and abroad, as well a foreign architects practising in the UK, is putting the UK at the forefront of architectural innovation.   Many of the buildings we shall look at are those which have either won or been shortlisted for the annual RIBA Stirling Prize since it was inaugurated in 1996 as well as looking at the new but littleknown classical country houses being produced by Quinlan Terry and other leaders in classical design

Born into a Polish family, Misa was a virtuoso pianist taught by Gabriel Faure. She knew Debussy and Ravel.   She was painted manytimes by Toulouse -Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, Eduard Vuillard and Renoir. Through a wealthy marriage she was able to finance Diaghhhilev's Russian Ballets and became a integral part of the circle around Picasso, Stravinsky, Cocteau and Nijinsky.  She married the Spanish muralist, Jose Sert and was at the very heart of modern art and music in paris as well as becoming Coco Chanel's closest friwnd and confident  A fascinating lady!

Full list and description of 2018 Lectures can be found in section Documents

Charles Dickens has often been proclaimed as 'The Man who invented Christmas' reviving the Christmas traditions with his warm portrayal of Christmas in the domestic setting.   Although Dickens celebrated Christmas in numerous works it is his enduring masterpiece, 'A Christmas Carol' which immortalises the spirit of Christmas cheer.   In his lecture, Bertie Pearce reveals a Dickensian Christmas with readings, biographical details and conjuring tricks.

2016/17 is the 600th anniversary of the birth of this enigmatic painter.  His grave, solid figures set in a timeless landscape and lit by a clear light, encapsulate the harmony of man and his world that was at the heart of Italian Renaissance thought.   But they are, in fact, a perfect fusion of the influences of North and South, of light and logic, which reflect his native countryside, while yet conveying a spirituality that reaches out over time and boundaries.

In 1799 Constable wrote from Ipswich 'Tis a most delightful country for a landscape painter.  I fancy I see Gainsborough in every hedge and hollow tree', and indeed many of his early works show the influence of Gainsborough.   We think of Gainsborough first and foremost as a painter of portraits but he associated landscape painting with ease and tranquility.  In this lecture we will look at the connections between the landscape paintings of Gainsborough and Constable and also consider the ways in which, in the process of recording his sitters' humanity, Gainsborough liked to set them out walking in invented romantic landscapes

This lecture explores the history, art and culture of this tiny Himalayan Kingdom, which for centuries has preserved its traditional Buddhist values.  Over the last few decades there have been many changes such as the introduction of roads, television and tourism.   Zara asks will Bhutan be able to maintain the fine balance between tradition and modernity without diminishing its very unique culture.

This lecture explores the fashion for porcelain figure sculpture in the 18th century beginning as a form of table decoration and subsequently moving to the mantelshelf and china cabinet; and how these figures reflect 18th century society in miniature.   During the talk we will meet, among others, characters fro the Commedia dell' arte and the English stage, exotic figures from distant lands, lovers and musicians, shepherds and shepherdesses and even the odd monkey!

Recent turmoil in much of the Near East and North Africa means that many of the most impressive sites in the Roman Empire can no longer be visited.    The lecture will provide an outline of Roman activity in the region, focusing on cities which have been largely destroyed, sites which have been heavily looted and places which are now too dangerous to visit.   Some of the finest architecture, sculpture and mosaics from the Roman world will be presented, highlighting both the richness of eastern Roman culture and the lives of the people who lived in these exotic places

The talk comprises a practical, step-by-step guide to the conservation of paintings through the ages, starting with a brief history of the preparation of panels and canvases, illustrating the different approaches and techniques involved in their conservation. Frames housing varous paintings undergoing work will be discussed and a 16th century Holy Family group in terracotta will be appraised after an accident and how it was rescued and nurtured back to health.

The current anniversaries of the two World Wars mean that commemoration and Germany are once again highly topical.  Yet relatively little is known about Germany's complex post-WW2 process of remembrance, which resulted in the fascinating counter memorial movement from the 1980's onwards.  The lecture gives insights into Germany's on-going efforts to find artistic forms for the remembrance of the victims of one of history's darkest periods.

In its heyday the Grand Tour saw scores of men (and a sprinkling of enterprising young women) dispatched to acquire at least a veneer of culture.   Some returned armed with paintings and scuplture determined to remodel their houses and estates into a semblance of the Italy that haunted their dreams.   This lecture follows the progress of a Grand Tourist through Europe and tells of some of the difficulties facing the intrepid traveller at the time.

For thousands of years the mystery of the Golden Section has inspired thinkers from all disciplines - artists and architects, mathematicians and musicians. Through Alexandra's lecture we will discover the secrets of its sacred geometry and beauty within creations from the classical to the contemporary

This talk investigates the sources of the stories for their journey and the symbolism of their gifts. The term Magi refers to the Zoroastrian priest - sages, anonymous wise men: specialists in medicine, religion and astronomy who travelled 'The East'. Traditionally three, but earlier versions has the number between two and thirty!!!

As well as exploring the history of  bookbinding in Western Europe this talk looks at books as physical objects not just beares of text. Caroline will look at their their history, including materials and production and the effect of industrialisation.

The lecture looks at paintings from the 15th to 20th centuries and examines the way in which artists have used signs and symbols to give deeper layers of meaning to their work

In the early evening of 16 October 1834 a huge fireball exploded through the roof of the Houses of Parliament.  It created a blazso enormous that it could be seen by the King and Queen at Windsor and from stage coaches on the south Downs.  The story of the fire is shown through contemporary depictions of the disaster.

A mixture of art-historical analysis and scandalous anecdotes from the 17th -20th century takes a generally light hearted look at changing attitudes to sectual morality down the ages

The Goldmiths Livery Company, founded in 1327 is based in the City of London.  It also sets standards in silver.  The lecture will explain the history of the livery company and why it is still relevant today

The story of dyes and textiles is broad, ranging across time and continents.  The lecture focuses on the history of dyeing in Europe  but extends to China, India and South America.  It is a story flavoured with power, politics, war, the church, money, exploration, adventure, science, serendipidy, even sex!

Gilly and Marguerite were spell bound when we heard Tobias at the directory day.  Images of saints and angels are everywhere in Medieval and Renaissance Art, but what do they actually mean and what messages do these divine images carry?  We shall find out

Thomas Hetherwick's innovative approach - remember the London Olympics and his cauldren - has won him many awards.  His multi discipinary blending of architecture, sculpture and engineering to produce his stunning designs will be explained by Anthea Streeter.,

Do go to the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery at Laverstoke Mill,  Whitchurch to see a local example of his design genius.

Tales of a Mysterious Land

A look at life and work of one of the most famous and controversial figures of the 20th Century

This lecture is to commemorate the bicentenary of the Battle. It offers an artistic and cultural appreciation of one of the most famous battles of all time. Please note that the Society's AGM preceeds this lecture at 2pm

An overview- from the priceless medieval icons of the Orthodox Church to the early 20th Century icons of the avant-garde; namely the abstract canvasses of artists such as Malevich and Kandinsky

From Constantinople to the Parc morceau

The lecture tells the extraordinary story of a family dynasty, vast wealth, collecting and partronage, social behaviour, passion and tragedy

A look at the sophisticated and diverse cultural heritage of this country

18th Century Opportunist and Genius

This lecture explores the range of work he undertook and the diversity of his talents

Please note that this lecture has been arranged to complement the outing on Friday, 15th may 2015 to the Portsmouth Dockyard which includes the opportunity to see the Mary Rose

This lecture discusses official war artists, including one who ran double agents during WW2 and two women artists who produced vivid pictures of life on the home front