LECTURE PROGRAMME
Tuesday, 16th October 2012
Wine and the Vine
From time immemorial wine has been at the heart of many civilisations. It has made a long journey from myth into history and has been the drink of kings and heroes. It even came to represent the blood of God. The language of wine and the language of art share the same poetic resonances; and wine, vines and wine drinking have been illustrated in the arts of all centuries from Assyrian reliefs to Impressionist picnics. From the earliest grape, the Persian Shiraz, to the accidental invention of bubbly champagne from Pinot Noir by the monk Dom Pierre Perignon – the story of wine is littered with surprises and adventures. Crusaders, Templars, pilgrims, and apostles, French courtesans and English Milords all appear in this entertaining lecture which may be accompanied by a practical wine tasting!
Lecturer: Hilary Guise Lectures in the main museums in London for American universities, and has toured widely in the USA and lectured for the Smithsonian Institution.
Sponsor: St James’ Place Wealth Management
Tuesday, 20th November 2012
1900 – 1935 The Age of Decadence and Discovery,
After the dowdiness of the Victorian period, 1900 herald the start of a new exciting and vibrant time. Gaiety, fun and above all making money was high on people’s agendas and jewellery very much reflected the mood of these ever changing times. Traditional social structures were being challenged in both Europe and America by entrepreneurs and industrialists whose new found wealth had to be displayed and status no longer had to be inherited.
Lecturer: Joanna Hardy Worked as senior specialist and auctioneer at Sotherby’s London for 14 years. Has lectured on radio and is a regular jewellery expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
Sponsors: Rowcroft Oriental Carpets & Abbeygate Insurance
Tuesday, 11th December 2012
Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves: The Representation of the Working Classes in Art
Throughout the history of western art, ordinary working people have always been there as mute observers, background detail or comic relief. Bt as the world changes, art changes and this talk will discuss the move of low-life subject matter from the despised and vulgar fringes of popular taste into the respectable mainstream.
Lecturer: Linda Smith Experienced guide and lecturer at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Dulwich Picture Gallery.
Sponsor: Mega Mobiles
Tuesday, 15th January 2013
The Spirit of Industrial Revolution – Joseph Wright of Derby.
In contact with scientists, intellectuals and manufacturers of his day, Wright became one of the most original and wide-ranging British artists. His subject- matter embraced candlelight pictures, eruptions of Versuvius, landscapes, portraits, literary subjects, blacksmiths’ shops, forges and factories. He has rightly been called ‘the first professional painter directly to express the spirit of the Industrial Revolution’.
Lecturer: Valerie Woodgate Lecturer and guide in Tate Britain and Tate Modern and for Tate on cruises.
Sponsor: Pretasol Energia SL
Tuesday, 19th February 2013
Is this the real thing? European Ceramic Fakes, Forgeries and Adaptations
As Renaissance and 18th century ceramics become more widely collected and more valuable, fakes and copies become more convincing.
Lecturer: Anton Gabszewicz Former Director and Head of European Ceramics at Christie’s, an international specialist in English and European Ceramics for over 40 years. Broadcast with the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow for over a decade.
Sponsor: Gallery 151
Tuesday, 19th March 2013
20th Century British Glass
Based on the lecturer’s new book this talk explores the century of British glass from its height as an Empire, to 2000 when the glass industry was decimated by foreign competition. In between, glassmakers and designers took on board a host of new influences and technologies and created exquisite objects, especially in the Art Deco and post-war periods, which still retain their international relevance. In 1965 the concept of a ‘studio glass movement’ arrived in Britain from America. With their extraordinary skills and artistic originality the burgeoning number of studios heralded a new golden age of British glass.
Lecturer: Charles Hajdamach. 23 years as Director of Broadfield House Glass Museum, Kingswinford, Charles is one of the top authorities on glass.
Sponsor: Terry Wayne, Partner – Blevins Franks
Tuesday 16th April, 2013
Buckingham Palace: its History, Occupants and Contents
How the building developed from a modest Georgian house to the present Palace, from King George III’s family home to the creation of a stunning palace by King George IV and John Nash, to the royal residence used by Queen Victoria and monarchs ever since.
Lecturer: Oliver Everett. Following service in the Foreign Office, including postings in India and Spain, he was Assistant Private Secretary to the Prince of Wales and then Private Secretary to Diana, Princess of Wales.
Sponsor: Belcam Group
Tuesday 14th May 2013
The Boy Who Bit Picasso
As a child Antony Penrose first met Picasso when he visited the Penrose family home in 1950. They became friends and during a boisterous game of pretend bull fighting Antony bit Picasso.
Lecturer: Antony Penrose. For the past 30 years Antony has been conserving and disseminating the work of his parents, Lee Miller and Roland Penrose. He has lectured at museums and universities around the world, and made documentaries for television.