Almost everybody has played Monopoly at some time in their life.  It is one of the world's most popular and enduring board games. But how well do you really know it?

This talk starts with the original Landlord's Game of 1903 and its evolution into the game as we know it today. Based on the classic 1936 London version we then take a photographic journey around the locations on that Monopoly board.

Expect some surprises as we explore the relationships between the various properties, look at the ones that don't actually exist and uncover the story behind the game we all know so well - or do we? 

Image: "Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach" by Stanhope Forbes

In the 1880's, the fishing village of Newlyn in the far west of Cornwall became a Mecca for rural realist painters who documented the lives of the local community in their beautiful and moving paintings.

This talk will outline the key characteristics of this famous art movement, including tales, as well as some of the real life characters they depicted, introducing the 'father of the Newlyn School' Stanhope Forbes and his talented wife Elizabeth (nee Armstrong), along with a host of their fellow artists. including Frank Bramley, Walter Langley, Albert Chevallier Tayler and Henry Scott Tuke. 

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of the quintissential English landscapist John Constable. Enormously popular and endlessly reproduced, his paintings today are familiar - perhaps over-familiar. But his modern reputation masks a radical, experimental artist who pushed the boundaries of art of his time just as much as his near-contemporary (and far more successful) rival Turner.

Tate Britain will be showing a major exhibition of their work from November 2025 until April 2026. This lecture will examine Constable's career and propose five reasons why he should be considered revolutionary and Britains greatest landscape painter. 

The 1950's - 70's saw a renaissance in Czech glass design that re-established the Bohemian region's global reputation in this area.

From behind the Iron Curtain, skilled designers pushed the boundaries of 20th Century glass design and produced unique art glass masterpieces that went on to inspire visually stunning, highly innovative and commercial ranges.

Despite this, the designers responsible were rarely named. Until today, the designs they produced have been typically forgotten or misattributed.

This lecture reveals the work of seven influential designers across cut, blown and pressed glass, and considers the economic and political context that affected it. 

1685 was an extraordinary year for music. Two of the world's greatest composers were born 130km and just one month apart.

Much of their childhood development mirrored the other - including the tragedy of losing their fathers at the age of ten. Their careers took very different directions, and they never met, despite several near misses.

Patrick will reunite these two giants, tracking their lives across six decades, with a special focus on their vocal music, which has inspired his career both as a countertenor and a conductor.  

In 1971 Linda Nochlin wrote her famous essay “Why have there been no great women artists?” Since then, much has been done to insert women into the canon and uncover their lives and works. This talk looks at the obstacles that women faced and how they managed to overcome them. From the Dominican nun Plautilla Nelli in Florence to Judith Leyster in The Dutch Republic, we will see how differences in family background, place of birth and time period affected their chances of success. 

Please note that this was a late change from our scheduled lecture due to circumstances beyond our control.

Immerse yourself in a world of carnations, tulips, hyacinths and roses as you discover the history of the famous Turkish Iznak ceramics, from its origins imitating Chinese porcelain to its 16th Century heyday and subsequent decline.

I find that TAS members often break spontaneously into song during my lectures "Baroque on a Roll" and "The Three Kings"  and this has inspired me to write a new lecture for Christmas, with plenty of opportunity for singalong audience participation. I play and sing excerpts from some of our favourite carols and try to answer important questions, such as:

Who wrote them—and when? What has an assassinated Prince of Bohemia got to do with Christmas? Why should the Merry Gentlemen rest and not be dismayed?

Wonderful pre- World War One photographs.

Then the same buildings after destruction and the same now taken very recently.

No library shots are used, only original material including the lecturer's own photographs. 

The 14th century artist Cennino Cennini recommended using “the chicken bones that you will find under the dining table” for making charcoaled bone black to paint with. His treatise, The Artists’ handbook, gives us an understanding of some of the surprising materials which any artist had to master before he could begin to paint, such as the tail of a squirrel to make his paintbrushes. But many of these materials were difficult to use and have an effect on the finished look of paintings from the centuries before industrial processes changed the artist’s world.

Drawing on his own experiences as both a child and adult actor Tyler reveals the pains and the pleasures of a career in the theatre, and takes us through the various intricate processes of putting on a play from the actor’s perspective, from the casting session to the curtain call, and all stops in between. On the way, he reveals how props can let you down at crucial moments, how actors survive when out of work, and how to deal with stage nudity

This lecture examines the extraordinary life and dramatic times of Oscar Wilde from his Irish roots to his days as a student at Oxford and his meteoric rise to the heights of celebrity. We travel with him to the United States and examine his starring role within the artistic & theatrical worlds of late 19th century London. We visit his home in bohemian Chelsea and some of his favourite West End haunts. Finally, we learn how ‘tired of being in the heights, he plunged into the depths’ and became famous for being INfamous...

In the 19th century Denmark lost its territories and global power but produced its finest art. This talk looks at how landscape painting was powerfully used to re-imagine a new, smaller, flatter Denmark, to create a different sense of the nation and to unite its diverse regions. To those unfamiliar with Danish art these works will prove a revelation.

To see a supplementary document provided by the lecturer, please go to the Documents page at this link https://tasthamesestuary.org.uk/AboutUs/Documents.aspx and select the document dated 01/05/2025

From the wax seal to the microchip, man has exploited the skill of the artist and artisan in his attempt to manufacture a forgery-proof document. Taking you through three centuries of passport design, this lecture explains the overt and uncovers the covert to illustrate the defences built in to the passport and the tricks the forger uses to defeat them. You will never see your passport in the same light again!

Take a trip into a horse drawn city just as a revolution was motoring in. Without its horses, London in 1900 would have ground to a halt – no buses, no deliveries, no goods trains. Alongside London’s growing dependence on technology was a vast increase in the demand for horses. This eye opener to a lost city mixes what's still there - the mews, horse hospitals, cab shelters and drinking troughs - with what is less apparent - like the horsepower each bus route needed, and why flogging a dead horse wasn't just a turn of phrase. In fact, in 1900 the end was nigh – as the internal combustion engine fired up and the Great War loomed.

From the early Kosovan silver mines which are mentioned in Dante, through the twentieth century politics over Kosovo’s mines which resulted in both a war and a golf course, a silver thread winds through Kosovo’s history. Its most intricate tanglings are in the country’s cultural capital, Prizren, where a seventh generation of filigree artisans use ‘filum’ and ‘granum’, zigzags, ‘mouse-tooth’ designs and other twists and turns to magic lacy creations from dull sticks of raw material. The results – in boxes, buttons, jewellery, religious ornamentation and the talismans of superstition – are a fine narrative of Kosovo’s history and traditions.

In this lecture Bertie recounts the extraordinary tale of how a small bronze statue, which had sat in his Grandfather’s garden for 40 years, was discovered as a master piece and ended up in the Getty Museum, California. Adriaen De Vries (c.1556-1626) was a Northern Mannerist sculptor born in the Netherlands. A technical virtuoso, he created spectacular bronzes for the most discerning patrons of his time, including the Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II of Prague. He excelled in refined modelling and bronze casting and in the manipulation of patina and became the most famous European sculptor of his generation.

Apart from the pear tree in which sat the partridge, there are no plants in the 12 days of Christmas according to the folk song. Sadly, even that reference is erroneous, because partridges are ground dwelling birds. And yet at Christmas we are surrounded by plants. This talk puts the record straight and rewrites the zoocentric song replacing partridges with poinsettias, and maids with mistletoe.

Guernica is one of the most famous paintings in the world and probably Picasso’s best known picture. It was prompted by events in the Spanish Civil War, and specifically the fascist destruction of the ancient Basque capital on a market day in April 1937. The lecture considers the circumstances surrounding its creation and charts its development through Picasso’s surviving drawings and the photographs taken by his mistress, the Yugoslavian photographer, Dora Maar.

This lecture examines Hogarth’s Marriage à la Mode other ‘modern moral subjects’. It looks at how the artist used his work to wage war against London’s sex trade and child poverty as part of his personal crusade to establish modern urban life as an appropriate subject for high art. Insights into the darker side of life in 18th century London are blended with the story of how Hogarth worked his way up from an apprenticed engraver to successful painter and philanthropist.

The City is the historic heart of London, but also the one of the largest financial centres in Europe. Two great disasters, the Great Fire of London 1666 and the Blitz of 1940-41 have given the City a distinct character a mix of old and new, reflected in the building stones used to construct the city. We will look at the archaeology, architecture and building stones of the City of London. See the Roman and Saxon archaeology of the early city of London before discovering how a city with no local building stones has imported a diverse variety of rocks from across Britain and the world.

As we journey along the streets, we will travel back into geological time to discover how these rocks were formed from ancient volcanoes, to desert, rivers and shallow Jurassic tropical seas. 

Darling’s daring rescue of steamship passengers off the Northumberland coast in 1838 brought her international fame. Discover more about her bravery and short life (died aged 26) and the artistic contribution that has helped to keep her in the public eye. Grace became the ‘poster girl’ of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and was the first woman awarded their medal for gallantry. This talk coincides with the commemorations to mark the 200th anniversary of the founding of the RNLI in 2024.

The beauty of Kenneth Grahame’s prose is widely acknowledged but the story is so full of wonderful imagery that it almost demands to be illustrated. First published in 1908 without illustration, the classic tale of Ratty, Mole, and the incorrigible Mr Toad has been in print ever since. What is less well known is that it has been illustrated by more than ninety artists – making it the most widely illustrated book in the English language.

However, ‘Willows’ is a far more interesting book than its popular and often young audience might appreciate. It deserves recognition as a novel in which adult readers will find not just humour and entertainment but wisdom and meaning. In this engaging presentation we will revisit the story as depicted by numerous well known illustrators such as E H Shepard, Arthur Rackham, Robert Ingpen, Val Biro and Inga Moore. Where appropriate we will compare and contrast the same scene in the book through the eyes of different artists, a study known as ‘comparative illustration'.

We will also explore how the story came to be written for Grahame’s son Alastair and the interesting but ultimately tragic life of Kenneth Grahame.

The House of Fabergé’s meteoric success saw a modest jewellery concern transformed into one of the world’s most iconic brands.  By 1900, the firm had gained international recognition, stunning the press and public with its displays at the Exposition Universelle in Paris.  At the dawn of the new century, Fabergé was poised for expansion, choosing Kiev and Odessa as outlets.  We will discuss the beauty and grandeur of Ukraine’s aristocratic estates, jewels of the Crimean Peninsula, that drew the most prominent families seeking respite from Northern winters

The translation of Las Vegas is The Meadows, and it was on water meadows in the deserts of Nevada that the early settlers began constructing the city whose name would become synonymous with gambling, wealth and casinos. This lecture charts the rise of Las Vegas and considers the very distinctive architecture of Casinos and their spiralling construction costs. A fascinating study of greed, over construction and architectural downfall, this lecture brings the unique art and architecture of Las Vegas to life. 

The Nazis looted over 20% of Western Art during World War II, confiscating art from Jewish families and emptying museums throughout Europe. This lecture will provide an overview of Nazi looting by setting the scene in Nazi Germany, discussing Hitler’s obsession with art and how the Monuments Men recovered art after the war. Several landmark cases will be discussed in detail, including Gustav Klimt’s celebrated Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer and the stash of over 1200 artworks found in possession of the son of a notorious Nazi dealer.

The Impressionist Movement of the late 19th and early 20th centuries produced some of the finest snow paintings in the history of art. Although the 17th century Dutch masters had painted snow, it was not a common subject amongst landscape painters until its rediscovery by the Impressionists. Claude Monet, Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley all painted snow, often standing for hours in the open air to capture the subtleties of light and colour produced by a recent snow fall. They were helped by a series of cold winters in Europe in 1879-1880 and 1890-1891, but they were by no means the only Impressionists who painted snow and ice. The Norwegian artist Frits Thaulow, a close friend of the French Impressionists, was a master of depicting snow, while it can be argued that the most impressive snow paintings were actually done by the American Impressionists. Vast in scale and concept, the snow scenes of artists such as Willard Metcalf, Childe Hassam and John Twachtman are a revelation to British audiences who often know little about the achievements of the American Impressionists. They capture the silence, beauty and grandeur of an American winter.This is a lecture rich in wonderful images which combines paintings by both well known and lesser known artists.

Find out, in this very light-hearted lecture, about the various ceremonial events that take place around Christmas time. Carol services, concerts and even Changing the Guard at Buckingham Palace and Windsor all play their part. How do the Chelsea Pensioners prepare and celebrate the festive season? All will be revealed so, come along and feel wrapped in a blanket of Christmas loveliness.

Belief in the Evil Eye is still widespread across the Muslim world, and is particularly prevalent amongst women, who often fear the jealousy of other women and the potential curse this can bring. Amulets, embroidered mirror-work, beads, holy embroidered Su Doku (yes, really) and power emblems such as the hand, the eye, rams’ horns, the triangle and the chilli all help protect those fearful of the Evil Eye or the jinn. Whether adorning a person or a cradle, house or yurt, textiles and jewellery and even architecture have been shaped by a desire to provide spiritual protection. And in case you thought this has nothing to do with European culture, what is the connection between paisley ties, bridesmaid dresses and the Evil Eye?

This replaces our advertised lecture with David Cross, who has had to cancel due to ill health. we wish him a speedy recovery. and hope to see him in the future. 

In this talk which follows on from 'Downton to Gatsby', Andrew shows how the Great Depression and the Second World war had such an extraordinary impact on fashion and jewellery design with the rise of cinema and Hollywood.

From the likes of Marlene Dietrich to Grace Kelly, he guides you through the various screen goddesses, how they were portrayed and what they gave to such dazzling effect.

He also shows that with the development of advertising, labour saving devices and leisure time, people had more opportunities to enjoy themselves and spend money on the finer things in life, as well as how the political events of the time influenced design and what was worn.

He also shows how the Belle Epoque and Art Deco styles did not end at the outbreak of the Second World War, but combined, to flower again with Christian Dior’s 'New Look'.

London's royal parks are among its most beautiful and beloved spaces just as much as the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace or St Pancras Station, the mere mention of Hyde or Regent's Park is enough to evoke the capital in all its glory for residents and tourists alike. They have a grand history - some were royally owned as far back as the Norman conquest, others were acquired by Henry VIII during the Reformation - and since being opened to the public during the eighteenth century, they have hosted some of London's great events, including the Great Exhibition and innumerable jubilees and celebrations. This lecture tells the story of all eight of the parks from the point when they were acquired by the monarchy until the present day, including the major historic moments and events with which they are associated.

Patrick will explore the rich musical traditions of Venice.

Claudio Monteverdi not only transformed the music at the Basilica of San Marco but also led the way in the creation of a new art form - opera.

We shall look at and listen to works from the other musical geniuses who developed the musical life of San Marco such as Gabrieli and Lotti, as well as tracing Monteverdi’s successors in the creation of Venetian opera, including Cavalli and Albinoni. 

We shall also examine and hear music from Antonio Vivaldi, the other towering figure of Venetian music, who created music both for the opera stage and the female musicians of the Ospidale della Pietà.

The 16th to 18th centuries in India witnessed the golden artistic period of Mughal rule, marked by a unique flowering of art and architecture and unrivalled in luxury and opulence. These mighty Emperors were dedicated patrons of skilled artists, sculptors, jewellers, engravers, architects, poets and calligraphers whose creativity produced breathtakingly beautiful artworks and monuments. From Mughal miniatures with their luminous, jewel-like colours to the exquisite design and ornamentation of imperial palaces and tombs, this talk considers the fascinating fusing of Persian, European, and indigenous Indian influences that produced this glorious work.

Importantly, Mughal art and architecture served another purpose; these powerful rulers were astute politicians and the magnificence of the Mughal court served as a highly successful form of propaganda, which provides a further fascinating topic for exploration.

Perhaps the best sculptor in wood ever to lift a chisel, Grinling Gibbons learned his craft as an apprentice in one of the best sculptural ateliers in the Low Countries, coming to England as a journeyman carver. Chance encounters with the diarist John Evelyn, the Court Painter Sir Peter Lely and the architect Hugh May propelled Gibbons to the notice of Charles II, enabling him to reach the heights of his profession, collaborating with May, Wren, Hawksmoor and Vanbrugh, building a substantial business for his workshop, becoming King’s Carver and a sought-after provider of high quality decorative and monumental work in wood, stone and bronze. Much of his work survives in country houses, large churches, university colleges, state apartments and museums.

From his detailed research over 25 years into Gibbons’s life and career, Justin dispels some of the myths which have accumulated around this almost mythical carver, and discusses the techniques he used to create a convincing illusion of reality. Illustrated with over-mantels, picture surrounds, sculpture and architectural mouldings from many private and public collections, this talk – one of a series marking the two-year long commemoration of the tercentenary year of his death – makes a case for identifying Gibbons as a major artist.

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom

Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) and Diego Rivera (1886-1957) have iconic status in Mexico. Rivera's intricate visual narratives, rich with allegory and symbolism, adorn the walls of public buildings. Inspired by Aztec and Maya imagery, and by early Italian fresco painting, his vast murals combine social criticism with faith in human progress. Kahlo's work, unlike Rivera's, is small in format. Arguably Mexico’s most original painter, she made herself the principal theme of her art. Her paintings reflect her experiences and dreams. This lecture surveys the work of both artists; it chronicles their turbulent marriage and Mexico's history after the 1910 Revolution. 

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom

Adam began his architectural career with the family firm in Scotland, then set up a London office in 1758, and was the designer of numerous neo-classical country houses both in England and Scotland. This lecture looks at Adam’s work in London: his elegant town houses with refined interior decoration. Some have been demolished, others survive; his important residential development, the Adelphi, survives in part. He also redesigned the interiors of Syon, Osterley and Kenwood, all on the outskirts of London and all open to the public. 

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom

In 2024 the National Gallery celebrates its 200th birthday. In the run up to this special anniversary, join me as I explore some of the nation’s best-loved paintings in a new light, revealing details which cannot be seen with the naked eye and discussing what goes on behind the scenes in the conservation, framing and scientific departments.

The lecture will result in a greater understanding of not only the art itself, but also of the work the National Gallery does to care for it, present it and interpret it. Few of the gallery’s works retain their original frames but an expert team will often source and adapt examples which complement the paintings historically, or indeed hand-carve new ones from scratch.

We will also look at the technical challenges involved in hanging, displaying, moving and framing the collection and the various solutions devised by the Art Handling Team. Many of the paintings in the gallery were designed for a very specific function, an altarpiece such as Piero’s  “Baptism of Christ” for example, so how do the curators allow us to interpret and view these within a museum context?

 Finally, we’ll talk about restoration and conservation, exploring extraordinary details from works such as the Wilton Diptych, which have only been discovered recently thanks to scientific analysis.

Join me on a journey of discovery as we explore the hidden secrets of masterpieces by Bellini, Leonardo, van Eyck and many more.

Charles Dickens has often been proclaimed as “The Man Who Invented Christmas” and indeed on hearing that Dickens had died, a cockney barrow-girl said: “Dickens dead? Then will Father Christmas die too?”  Dickens revived the Christmas traditions with his warm portrayal of Christmas in the domestic setting; with plum pudding, piping hot turkey, games, dancing  and family cheer by the hearth. Although he celebrated Christmas in numerous works it is his enduring master piece, “A Christmas Carol”  published on 19th December 1843 which immortalises the spirit of Christmas Cheer. Dickens was a man of extraordinary energy and talent: literary genius, reformer, public speaker, actor and amateur magician.

In his lecture Bertie Pearce reveals a Dickensian Christmas with readings, biographical details and conjuring tricks.

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom

For a great many members of The Arts Society, the cartoonist Carl Giles was as much a part of the festive season as the Christmas tree, crackers and the Queen's Speech. So popular were the Giles annuals as Christmas presents that they helped to make him Britain's best loved, most successful and wealthiest cartoonist. The talk looks at Giles's life and work with a particular emphasis on his seasonal cartoons, particularly those featuring Grandma and the Giles family. They include some of his funniest cartoons but, as the art historian William Feaver pointed out, they also demonstrate that he had few equals when it came to representing Britain in Winter. 

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom

‘The secret of my influence has always been that it remained secret’ – Salvador Dalí

Like the Renaissance artists he admired, Salvador Dalí did not restrict his creative output to painting but was also a writer, poet, engraver, sculptor, architect, photographer, theatre designer,  and jewellery designer. As well as designing the latter, Dalí selected the materials to be used, focusing not just on the colours or the value of the material, but also on their symbolic meanings.

Jewels such as ‘El cor reial’ (1953, The Royal Heart) have become iconic works and are considered to be as exceptional as his paintings. He also was an omnivorous reader who was as interested in science as he was in art and in this his work also reflects the Renaissance artist he admired. This lecture explores the work of Dalí the designer and science enthusiast – a Renaissance artist in the 20th century

We hope that this will be an in-person lecture, but if that is not possible we will present it over Zoom 

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

Illustration : "Quiz - after his last race at Newmarket" by Henry Bernard Chalon

Yale Center for British Art, Paul Mellon Collection

Treasures of the Turf looks at the history of horseracing from the late seventeenth century to the modern period. This lecture looks at the development of the sport in this country through its associated cultural material.

Using the wealth of paintings, archive material and decorative art objects associated with and depicting the ‘Sport of Kings’, the lecture takes as its starting point the earliest origins of the sport including the development of Newmarket and the Jockey Club as racing’s ‘Headquarters’. 

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

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.

Please note that this lecture replaces the one on our original programme, which will now be included in our 2022-2023 season.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

This lecture tells the remarkable story of how an obscure German princess fended off accusations of illegitimacy and rose to become one of the most illustrious monarchs in history. Along the way she transformed the Russian Empire, which by the time of her death in 1796 was the largest the world had seen since the fall of Rome, into one of the great powers of Europe. 

She created a brilliant court and led a scandalous personal life, taking a succession of ever-younger lovers. She was a ruthless despot and a peerless collector of art: the enormous Hermitage museum in St Petersburg is a lasting testament to her legacy

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

What is it that conductors do that makes orchestras respond in so many different ways?  Is it a good baton technique?  A strong personality?  The way they look?  And why are there relatively few women found on the podium? And why are the conductors paid so much more than anyone else on the concert platform? 

Drawing on history and his own musical experiences from well over six thousand performances and recordings, Nigel seeks out some answers.  This lecture contains some rare video footage of conductors in rehearsal and performance.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

In October 1888 Paul Gauguin arrived in Arles to stay at the Yellow House with Vincent van Gogh. At first the friendship worked well and the two artists went out to paint in the countryside around Arles. They also painted side by side on the Alyscamps, an old Roman burial ground, and even shared a model, both painting Madame Genoux ‘The Arlesienne’. However divisions soon appeared. Gauguin tried to persuade van Gogh to paint from memory which van Gogh found difficult and unsatisfactory. Gauguin found van Gogh’s wild enthusiasms and constant talking about art and the future difficult to accept and disliked his impetuous way of painting.

Van Gogh became increasingly jealous of Gauguin’s success with the local women and the fact that he was selling pictures through Theo van Gogh, while Vincent could sell nothing. Everything came to a head on December 23rd 1888 when Gauguin fled the Yellow House fearing for his life, while van Gogh cut off part of his ear and delivered it in a box to the local brothel.

Much has been written about this episode, but who was to blame and what really happened? A fascinating lecture which discusses the two artists’ different approach to painting and surveys the results of this confrontation.   

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

The history of this enduring and peculiarly British institution, from its origins in 16th century Italian commedia dell’arte through the influence of 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) professionally in pantomime.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

Image is copyright the Web Gallery of Arts   

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio was a man out of step with his time.

Scorning the traditional idealised interpretation of religious subjects, he took his models from the streets, painting them realistically and heightening the emotional intensity by his dramatic contracts of light and shade. Such a revolutionary style was condemned by many as was his equally dramatic personal life and uncontrollable temper which involved him in endless brawls and even murder.

This lecture will study the life and works of this enigmatic man and his influence on later artists.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

The celebration of Christmas brings together a broad range of traditions which are now regarded by many as integral to Christmas as a whole. Using a wide range of artworks and covering the output of many well-known and lesser known artists including Giotto, Caspar David Friedrich and Norman Rockwell this talk examines the elements of Christmas in their artistic setting. Also included is a selection of Christmas music from the earliest known Carol to evocative pieces from the modern era. From the Christmas feast to Christmas Cards, Christmas trees and of course lots and lots of snow, this lecture is guaranteed to put you in the Christmas spirit.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022 in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will  present them over Zoom. 

Wool, cotton and silk have each played a crucial role in the fortunes of Central Asia.

Wool created the clothing and housing needed by the great nomadic cultures that were to dominate Middle Asia.

Silk was more valuable than gold and used as currency, creating a network of trading routes that led to the first outbreak of globalisation.

Cotton was the cause of Russian and then Soviet Colonisation and continues to cause controversy today as well as human misery and environmental catastrophe

The felts, carpets, embroideries, robes and veils of the Silk Road stratified wealth, displayed religious and political entrenchments and changed the fortunes of this fascinating part of the world; a meeting place between Mohammed and Marx.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2021 - 2022  in person, we will have to follow any restrictions in place at the time. If we are unable to hold live lectures, we will present them over Zoom. 

This lecture provides a colourful introduction to the secret world of our 2000 mile inland waterway network and looks at all aspects of their exceptional artistic, architectural and engineering vernacular. Features range from sweeping aqueducts to tiny bollards; from colourful historic narrowboats to 'Roses and Castles' artwork; from grand World Heritage Sites to quirky listed buildings. A well-known architectural historian once described our canals as a 'poor man's art gallery'.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

For the series Downton Abbey, Andrew was commissioned to produce many jewels for the main characters, and this inspired him to create a talk based on Downton and the changing styles of the time portrayed. Jewellery and Fashion are often seen as two entirely separate and distinct fields of design, but this is very far from the case.

In his talk Andrew guides you through the extraordinary periods and events between 1890 and 1929, where the great fashion houses collaborated with the finest of jewellers to produce works of art of outstanding quality and glittering opulence. Along with this he discusses the clients and patrons who commissioned the jewels and how they were worn with the sumptuous gowns.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

 This lecture will examine how the peculiar geniuses of these two very different men, W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, came together under the guiding hand of the impresario, Richard D’Oyly Carte, to create one of the most individual and enduring forms of theatrical entertainment. The Savoy operas, with their gentle satire, celebrate the quirks and foibles of the British nation, and are as alive today as in the 1880s. The lecture is fully illustrated with musical examples. 

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

The symbolism, significance and spirituality of colour throughout the history of art. Experience the power of the red of the Tudors; the utopian white of Abstraction; the secret formula of Klein blue and Mondrian’s dynamic combination of all three. 

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

A mixture of art-historical analysis and scandalous anecdote, this lecture takes a generally light-hearted look at changing attitudes to sexual morality down the ages, by examining the portraits and careers of some of history’s most notorious mistresses and courtesans. It also charts the rather complex and ambiguous attitudes of art and society towards the numerous anonymous working girls at the lower end of the scale, by investigating how they have been represented in art at different times and places from the 17th to the 20th century.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

This talk provides an overview of the Church of England's magnificent 42 cathedrals, jewels in the crown of England's built heritage, some recognised as World Heritage Sites.

Beautifully illustrated by Country Life photographer, Paul Barker, in addition to looking at their history and stories, evolving architecture and treasures, the talk considers the role of cathedrals over the centuries and specifically their role today.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

What other family in the twentieth century managed to amass such extraordinary art collections, and design or purchase such astounding buildings to display their collections? Compared to the Frick and Gulbenkian, individual collections displayed in single museums, the Guggenheim name was transformed in the late twentieth century into a brand, some would say a chain. With celebrated museums in New York, with the flagship Solomon R. Guggenheim landmark on Fifth Avenue, together with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal in Venice, the family foundation did not stop there. They commissioned the celebrated building by Frank Gehry in Bilbao, which opened in 1997, and which is now considered a masterpiece of modern architecture and design. Other expansion plans have not fared so well, with outposts in Las Vegas and Berlin closing after some years, and new building projects in Vilnius and Helsinki have been abandoned after opposition by residents, who were not persuaded they needed a Guggenheim in their city. This lecture looks at the beginning of both Solomon’s and Peggy’s collections in New York City, with artists they acquired such as Kandinsky and Pollock, and traces the development and expansion of their collections over more than half a century, by which time the Guggenheim name had become synonymous with some of the most inspiring art and museums in the world.    

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

In the early 14th century the Popes were forced by political circumstances to desert their spiritual home in Rome for Avignon in the south of France. They remained there for almost sixty years, enduring what became known as the Babylonish Captivity. As a result Avignon swarmed with Popes, cardinals, merchants and craftsmen, who commissioned and produced some of the finest examples of 14th-century art and architecture. This lecture will focus upon the Palace of the Popes, built largely by Benedict XII and Clement VI and described by Froissart, the late 14th-century historian as “the most beautiful and strongest house in all the world”. It provides the opportunity to study paintings by Italian artists such as Simone Martini and Matteo Giovannetti, who travelled to Avignon to work for the papal court, as well as other works produced for Avignonese patrons but now dispersed amongst far flung collections. The Papacy’s sojourn in Avignon proved disastrous for the authority of the church, but it provoked a fertile exchange of visual ideas which revolutionised art north of the Alps. 

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

The Christmas Tree presents us with over five centuries of art and meaning. Vital to the imagery of both the pagan world and Christianity, its significance emerges in Norse yuletide, ancient Rome and with the early-medieval saints, before its diverse strands were drawn together to symbolize the modern Christmas. It is wrapped in legend, from the Icelandic sagas to St Boniface, from the Mystery Plays to Martin Luther. In art, the forest fir has made the transition from Viking rock carvings to German Romanticism and Scandinavian naturalism, on its way to finding its place as an icon of our modern festival. Decorated and shimmering with light, it has brought Christmas from outside the home into the heart of the family, it has drawn soldiers together across No-Man’s Land, and it continues to symbolize its essential, timeless message of Peace on Earth.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

The City of London is home to no fewer than forty Livery Company Halls, almost as many as existed immediately prior to the Great Fire of London. Many of the Halls succumbed to the fire, others to the Blitz, and several to the property developer, but they all contain a wealth of treasures in art, sculpture, stained glass, silverware and furniture. Collectively the Livery Companies are custodians of an immense array of treasures of national significance including many Royal portraits such as that of HM The Queen during her Golden Jubilee year, commissioned by the Drapers’ Company which with the Sandringham Branch of the Women’s Institute is one of only two organisations of which HM is a member.

Important - please note that while we hope to present the scheduled lecture programme  for 2020 - 2021, this depends on the status of the Covid-19 outbreak and the restrictions in place at the time.  We plan to deliver lectures via Zoom if restrictions remain in place for large group gatherings

Dame Zaha Hadid died on March 31 st 2016 at age of 65. Architectural historians of the future will surely recognise her as one of the most important architects of the early 21st century. She was born in Iraq and her reputation was global, but she made Britain her home. This lecture tells the story of her career from the visionary projects of the 1980s, through the years of frustration when her designs were considered unbuildable, to the prolific crop of successful projects built all over the world in the last decade of her life.

This is a test session ahead of the first lecture of the season, created here so that members can give feedback on the test.

Film available for streaming to TAS Thames Estuary Members Only

Wednesday 8th July to Wednesday 22nd July 2020

Members whose email addresses we have will have been notified  by email with instructions on how to access  this 'lecture'. If you are a member and have not received an email, please let us know via the "Contact Us" menu tab. 

Dedicated to the portrait work of Paul Cézanne, the exhibition opened in Paris before travelling to London and Washington. Featuring interviews with curators and experts from the National Portrait Gallery London, MoMA New York, National Gallery of Art Washington, and Musée d’Orsay Paris, and correspondence from the artist himself, the film takes audiences beyond the exhibition to the places Cézanne lived and worked and sheds light on an artist who is perhaps the least known of all the impressionists – until now.

Lecture cancelled owing to the Coronavirus restrictions. We hope to bring this talk to you at a later date 

We are reviewing the way forward regarding this year’s AGM and will let you know the details shortly.

This lecture will examine how the peculiar geniuses of these two very different men, W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, came together under the guiding hand of the impresario, Richard D’Oyly Carte, to create one of the most individual and enduring forms of theatrical entertainment. The Savoy operas, with their gentle satire, celebrate the quirks and foibles of the British nation, and are as alive today as in the 1880s. The lecture is fully illustrated with musical examples. 

Film available for streaming to TAS Thames Estuary Members Only

Wednesday 3rd June to  Tuesday 16th June 2020

Members whose email addresses we have will have been notified  by email with instructions on how to access  this 'lecture'. If you are a member and have not received an email, please let us know via the "Contact Us" menu tab. 

In 1886, the French art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel took a selection of his stock of impressionist paintings to New York, changing the course of art in America forever. Americans embraced it and created their own style of impressionism. The American impressionist movement is a story closely tied to a love of gardens and a desire to preserve nature in a rapidly urbanising nation. This film travels to studios, gardens and iconic locations throughout the United States, UK and France to demonstrate this vision.

Lecture cancelled owing to the Coronavirus restrictions. We hope to bring this talk to you at a later date 

Please note the date has been amended temporarily to enable feedback on the society film screening of The Artist's Garden 

This lecture provides a colourful introduction to the secret world of our 2000-mile inland waterway network and looks at all aspects of their exceptional artistic, architectural and engineering vernacular. Features range from sweeping aqueducts to tiny bollards; from colourful historic narrowboats to 'Roses and Castles' artwork; from grand World Heritage Sites to quirky listed buildings. A well-known architectural historian once described our canals as a 'poor man's art gallery'.

Lecture cancelled owing to the Coronavirus restrictions. We hope to bring this talk to you at a later date. 

This talk provides an overview of the Church of England's magnificent 42 cathedrals, jewels in the crown of England's built heritage, some recognised as World Heritage Sites. Beautifully illustrated by Country Life photographer, Paul Barker, in addition to looking at their history and stories, evolving architecture and treasures, the talk considers the role of cathedrals over the centuries and specifically their role today.

Film available for streaming to TAS Thames Estuary Members Only

25th April to 11th May 2020

Members whose email addresses we have will have been notified  by email with instructions on how to access  this 'lecture'. If you are a member and have not received an email, please let us know via the "Contact Us" menu tab. 

“I envy the Japanese” Van Gogh wrote to his brother Theo. Though Vincent van Gogh never visited Japan it is the country that had the most profound influence on him and his art. Through journeying from the Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam, to Van Gogh’s adopted home of Provence, France and eventually to Japan itself, this film provides a fascinating look at just how remarkable this influence proved to be.

One cannot understand Van Gogh without understanding how Japanese art arrived in Paris in the middle of the 19th century and the huge impact it had on artists like Monet, Degas and, above all, Van Gogh. Seeing Japanese art in art shops and small Parisian galleries and then creating his own perception of Japan – through in-depth research, print collecting and detailed discussions with other artists – Van Gogh’s encounter with Japanese artworks gave his work a new and exciting direction. Featuring Van Gogh’s personal letters, written accounts from friends and contemporaries as well as insights from artists and experts, Van Gogh & Japan provides a fresh and revealing understanding of this extraordinary artist.

Lecture cancelled owing to the Coronavirus restrictions. We hope to bring this talk to you at a later date

What other family in the twentieth century managed to amass such extraordinary art collections, and design or purchase such astounding buildings to display their collections? Compared to the Frick and Gulbenkian, individual collections displayed in single museums, the Guggenheim name was transformed in the late twentieth century into a brand, some would say a chain. With celebrated museums in New York, with the flagship Solomon R. Guggenheim landmark on Fifth Avenue, together with the Peggy Guggenheim Collection on the Grand Canal in Venice, the family foundation did not stop there. They commissioned the celebrated building by Frank Gehry in Bilbao, which opened in 1997, and which is now considered a masterpiece of modern architecture and design. Other expansion plans have not fared so well, with outposts in Las Vegas and Berlin closing after some years, and new building projects in Vilnius and Helsinki have been abandoned after opposition by residents, who were not persuaded they needed a Guggenheim in their city. This lecture looks at the beginning of both Solomon’s and Peggy’s collections in New York City, with artists they acquired such as Kandinsky and Pollock, and traces the development and expansion of their collections over more than half a century, by which time the Guggenheim name had become synonymous with some of the most inspiring art and museums in the world.

Sorolla (1863-1923) was a highly successful artist of international renown in his lifetime, but outside Spain and the United States he is largely forgotten today. Some of his best work is on show in the house and studio he built for himself in Madrid – one of the city’s ‘hidden secrets’. While Sorolla admired the great Spanish traditions of Velázquez and Goya, his delightful paintings of women and children at the seaside, landscapes and the great series depicting the regions of Spain, are full of sunlight and optimism.

The Nutcracker has delighted audiences at Christmas for many decades yet it was deemed a failure at its first performances.  We take a close look at how this well-loved ballet now takes its rightful place on stage and how the music of Tchaikovsky along with story-telling, design and dance all come together to make the most magical escape for young and old alike. 

As part of the Habsburg Empire, Prague was beloved of kings and princes. During the 19th century, however, the Czechs sought to reclaim the city for their own. Looking back at ancient mythology, they imagined a new future by means of art, architecture, literature and music. From Romanticism to cubism, the Czechs re-conceived various artistic movements in specifically patriotic ways. Looking at painter and decorative artist Alfons Mucha, artist Karel Svoboda and composers Bedřich Smetana and Antonín Dvořák, this talk shows how the Czechs created a capital that was fit for a new independent nation.

Knights in full armour fighting each other with the lance, sword and axe might not be the first thing most of us look forward to as the Christmas holiday approaches. However during the Renaissance,  jousts, tournaments and chivalric spectacles were a hugely important part of the winter festive season at the royal courts of Europe. These events were sparkling, colourful celebrations of life, held during the darkest, coldest time of the year. Here aristocratic warriors proved their worth as the shining defenders of their people, chosen by God to wield divine power.

As well as a curator, broadcaster and author, Toby Capwell is also a famous jouster and horseman, a founding member of the modern jousting community, and the victor in major tournaments all over the world. In this special holiday lecture he gives rare insight into the art, history and realities of formal knightly combat, from the perspective of an experienced practitioner as well as an academic specialist.  

Despite the usual emphasis on women’s love of fashion, men have, throughout the centuries, selected their attire with concern and precision. What men wore could express political position, social status or personality - men’s clothing has its own equally important and fascinating history. Looking at the high end of the social scale, this lecture traces the history of men’s dress from the introduction of the basic elements of the suit under Charles II in the 1660s. The eighteenth century saw the flamboyance of dress for the dandies and court peacocks balanced by the sombre form of dress worn on the country estate – the frock coat. This would come to form the essence of gentlemanly dignity and give Savile Row international fame. The turn of the nineteenth century saw the dramatic transition to wearing black. Despite the influence of aesthetes such as Oscar Wilde, the dark suit continued to dominate and the etiquette of correct dressing escalated - tools to deter social climbers and express Britain’s new position as an industrial world power. In the twentieth century leaders of aristocratic fashion such as Edward VII and Edward VIII continued to uphold and refine standards of gentlemanly attire.

George III is unjustly remembered solely as having been mad and having lost the American colonies. The lecture corrects this impression. He was a discerning art collector, patron of the arts and artists, friend of America and Americans, and a committed family man. He was also a keen architect who added the future Buckingham Palace to the Royal residences, and reinhabited Windsor Castle. The talk describes his life, family and wide interests, his patronage of the arts, his important additions to the Royal Collection and his relationship with North America and Americans.

Mr Punch – the most famous puppet character of all time. His comic irreverence gave “Punch” magazine its title. His anarchic vitality has inspired opera, ballet and punk rock and his enduring popularity has seen his likeness on goods ranging from Victorian silverware to computer video games. Appearing in England in 1662, Punch is descended from the Italian Clown Pulcinella of the 15th C Commedia Dell’Arte tradition. 

Even today this Lord of Misrule uses his slapstick to dispense with oppressive authority, be it politicians, political correctness or the devil, while proclaiming his notorious refrain; ‘That’s the way to do it!”

Born into a Polish family, Misia was a virtuoso pianist taught by Gabriel Fauré, before marrying Thadee Natanson owner of the magazine ‘La Revue Blanche’. She was painted many times by Toulouse-Lautrec, Pierre Bonnard, Eduard Vuillard (who was deeply in love with her), and Renoir who wanted to paint her nude. She knew Debussy and Ravel who dedicated several pieces to her. She later remarried a wealthy businessman and was able to finance Diaghilev’s extraordinary Russian Ballets becoming an integral part of the circle around Picasso, Stravinsky, Cocteau and Nijinsky. Her final marriage was to the Spanish muralist José Sert with whom she travelled extensively, becoming Coco Chanel’s closest friend and confidante. Misia was at the very heart of modern art and music in Paris. Misia Sert was the subject of a major exhibition in the Musée d’Orsay in 2012 

John Peter Russell, was an Australian impressionist. Russell was regarded by Rodin as an artist equal to Monet, Renoir and Matisse.  Born and raised in Sydney, Russell moved to Europe in his late teenage years to attend art school.  Russell befriended fellow pupil Vincent Van Gogh, and painted the first portrait of the future world-famous artist, now held at the Van Gogh Museum. Van Gogh maintained correspondence with Russell throughout his life. Russell's work was also admired by the French Impressionists, with whom he often painted. Russell returned to Sydney in old age, where he died.

His works are held in major galleries in his home country and in Europe.

London’s Tite Street was one of the most influential artistic quarters in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. A staggering amount of talent thrived in just this one street in Chelsea, including James Abbott McNeill Whistler, Oscar Wilde, John Singer Sargent, Augustus John, Romaine Brooks and Gluck. Throughout its turbulent history it remained home to innumerable artists, writers, suffragettes queers and madmen. Here Whistler was bankrupted, Oscar Wilde imprisoned and Frank Miles went mad. This lecture ties together the private and professional lives of its inhabitants to form a colourful tapestry of art and intrigue.

Like L.S. Lowry, oil painter and watercolourist Edward Seago (1910-74) was immensely popular but overlooked by critics; today the best of his landscapes look fantastic, while his life story is full of interest. A prolific author, he overcame childhood illness before running away with the circus. He also mixed in aristocratic circles, making friends among the Royal family; a colourful wartime career and a trip to Antarctica aboard the Royal Yacht add to this fascinating account. Seago is much loved by artists, and in this lecture we explore a number of his finest oil paintings and watercolours in detail, looking at his choice of subject, design and technique.”

William Morris was a one-man pattern-making phenomenon whose work had a powerful and lasting impact on many areas of interior design. He is best-known today as a designer of wallpapers and textiles and this lecture examines the development and production of his work in these media from his early medievalising patterns to his more naturalistic and then more stylised mature style. It explores the sources and inspiration for his designs, which also included embroideries and tapestries as well as cotton and woven textiles and hand-printed wallpapers, and the extraordinary energy that Morris devoted to reviving historic forms of dyeing and weaving. It also looks at how and where his patterns were used, and their role and influence within the broader context of 19th century design.

William Morris, Strawberry Thief, 1883, image courtesy of the Victoria & Albert Museum

*** Take a look at our News tab for some extra information on William Morris supplied by Jo Banham ***

Using illustrations from carvings, wall paintings, pottery, mosaics, sculpture, stained glass, illuminated manuscripts, and 18th and 19th century paintings, Sarah traces the history of one of the world’s most ancient and beloved musical instruments from thousands of years BC, to it’s arrival in northern Europe, including the huge developments and improvements during the renaissance and 19th centuries that created the highly mechanised and beautiful instrument we see played in orchestras and as solo instruments today. Performing on her own reproduction and antique instruments, Sarah will demonstrate the development and evolving sound and repertoire of the harp throughout its history. 

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 celebrating 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.

Hearing of the declaration of the First World War, Augustus John turned to Bomberg and said ”David, this news of the outbreak of war is going to be very bad for art.”  This lecture considers the truth of that prophesy among three British artists who had first-hand experience of the Great War and whose work was profoundly affected by it.

David Bomberg (1890-1957)   By his mid-twenties Bomberg had achieved notable success and, after a one-man exhibition was being hailed as a major talent in avant garde circles.  The rejection of a Canadian War Commission was a significant disappointment and it is true to say that his career never fully recovered.

Christopher Nevinson (1889-1946)  Nevinson was the only British artist who wholeheartedly adopted the tenets of Futurism whose 1909 manifesto declared  ‘We want to glorify war’.  Faced with the reality his work took a completely new direction but not before he had produced some of the War’s most powerful images.

William Orpen (1878-1931)  One of the most financially successful artists in the pre-War period, Orpen used his society contacts to gain privileged access to military leaders yet developed a deep admiration for the regular soldier. His unorthodox approach to official commissions led him to produce some of his most compelling works.

A brief history together with their design and construction, their conservation, and how to choose the right frames for your paintings.

The lecture explore the history of frames, and how frames have developed in Europe, influenced often by prevailing architectural styles. The lectures looks at how frames are constructed and conserved; and how a frame can transform a painting and display it to its best advantage. 

The choice of a frame is a very personal one and primarily to complement a picture, but there are certain guidelines which may be helpful: for example, the balance between frame & picture.  Such details are discussed in full.  Choosing the right frame will enhance enjoyment & value of a picture; choosing the wrong frame may reduce both enjoyment & value.

Julia discusses why a picture normally needs a frame; how to protect a picture from the dangers of light and temperature etc., the design, construction and conservation of frames; and the process of making gold leaf and gesso frames and how they are conserved.

A delightfully entertaining look at the history of pleasure piers covering just over 200 years, from the first pier in the Regency period up to the present day. Almost 100 pleasure piers were built around our coastline, diverse in designs and some crowned with exotic palaces or pavilions. These elegant structures bear witness to the remarkable skills of the Victorian engineers and are an important part of our social history symbolizing the nation’s love of days out and summer holidays at seaside resorts. A celebration covering the heyday of piers, how generations have enjoyed the fresh air and sea views, been captivated by the amusements and entertained by a variety of artists. The incredible stories of our surviving piers, whether they are successful flourishing or sadly in trouble, their future and the ongoing struggle to keep them. 

The Houses of Parliament is one of the most famous and staggering buildings in the world. It rises serenely from the Thames at Westminster, on a site which has been the centre of power and government in England from the earliest times. It is a masterpiece of Victorian architecture and a spectacular feat of civil engineering: a landmark which is today the essence of Britishness. And it was nearly never built at all.

From the beginning, its design and construction were a battleground for its architect, Charles Barry. The practical challenges, even by the standards of Victorian invention, were immense. Following the disastrous fire of 1834, the new building was required to cover eight acres of unstable gravel beds. Its river frontage, a quarter of a mile long, was to be constructed in the treacherous currents of the Thames. Its towers were so gigantic they required feats of engineering and building technology never seen before, in order to construct them on the cramped site. And the interior design - stained glass, metalwork, encaustic tiling and wall coverings - needed ancient craft techniques not used since the middle ages to be revived. Battling the interference of MPs and royalty, coaxing and soothing the genius of his partner Pugin, fending off the mad schemes of a host of crackpot inventors and busybodies, and coming in three times over budget and twenty-four years behind schedule, this lecture will tell the story of how Charles Barry created the most famous building in Britain. 

A whistle-stop tour of the history of food as artistic medium; starting with 16th century sugar sculpture and venturing all the way up to 3D dessert printing and beyond.

This exploration into the realms of dessert as spectacle includes an accompanying display to illustrate and enhance the historic subject. 

Should we accept that the very best photographs can be regarded as Fine Art? This question is at the heart of a lecture which argues that photography can equal, not to say exceed, more traditional disciplines in the key genres of portraiture, landscape and still life. Photography, moreover, has carved its own area of excellence in depicting the human condition. All these ideas are discussed with reference to the work of some of the acknowledged masters of photography, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Fay Godwin, Bill Brandt, Ansel Adams and Wolfgang Tillmans. 

From Canaletto to JMWTurner, from Whistler to Monet - the Thames has always fascinated English and foreign artists alike. This river's influence is out of all proportion to its meagre size.

In fact, no river no London.

The enchanting Frost Fairs, picturesque old London Bridge, punting and the Boat Race, Tower Bridge will all be featured.

 The 17th & 18th centuries saw the introduction of thousands of plant species from across the world into northern Europe. Many of these plants are now staples of our gardens: magnolias, lilies, pelargoniums & Michaelmas daises to name a few. Long before Kew Gardens was established, these plants found new homes in the then great gardens of London and its environs; places such as the long-lost garden  at Westminster, Hampton Court under the care of George London, Fulham Palace home to Bishop Compton or the two great gardens of Chelsea, one of which survives – the Chelsea Physic Garden.
 

A talk on historic stonemasonry and the men who shaped not only the material but the architectural appearance of the Medieval period. The discussion looks at the processes of quarrying, transporting, setting out, cutting and fixing stonework. The place and influence of stonemasons in the history of architecture and how that relates to exciting new discoveries made by the Thames Discovery Programme of stonework from the Medieval Palace of Westminster is also covered.

From the 15th century peasants drying their clothes, through the 17th century Frost Fairs on the Thames, to 19th century skaters in the Bois de Boulogne, this lecture will trace how artists have responded to the challenges of winter. Over 500 years of artistic shivering! 

The 17th century is known as the Golden Age of Spanish Art, a period in which the country was able to use its vast wealth, accumulated during the 1500s following the expansion of its territories in Europe and the Americas, to fund extravagant and ambitious programmes of building and painting. At the helm of the country’s artistic patronage was King Philip IV, one of the greatest collectors of art throughout Europe. His well-honed instinct for talent drew him to the young, brilliant Diego Velazquez who would become his court painter, recording his likeness and that of his family for over 30 years. Velazquez soon became internationally recognised as the greatest artist of his generation, praised for his ability to capture a sitter’s personality or mood and admired for his mysterious, varied and often provocative subjects and interpretations. Many of his paintings are deliberately enigmatic, creating heated debate even today. This lecture will trace the rise of his glittering career at one of the most illustrious courts in Europe.

This lecture explores Kandinsky’s journey from figurative landscape painter to modernist master, as one of the first artists to develop a radically abstract language. It examines how, from his early landscapes inspired by the Bavarian countryside and folk imagery from Russian fairy tales and legends, Kandinsky’s style evolved after he moved to Germany and co-founded Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) group. The lecture looks at how Kandinsky came to see painting as an alternative pathway to spiritual reality, increasingly stripping away descriptive detail by reducing recognisable elements. At the same time, he began to include large areas of vibrant colour to stimulate emotions associated with classical music, pursuing his interest in synaesthesia.

The world’s first underground railway has a wonderful heritage of architecture, ingenious design, powerful advertising posters and unique calligraphy. In this talk we plot the early development of the Underground, examine the legacy of Frank Pick and Charles Holden, look at some of the iconic posters, and celebrate the award winning architecture of the modern Tube in the Jubilee Line Extension. We’ll also take a peek at some of the forthcoming Crossrail stations, designed by some of the world’s top architects. 

From 402 to around 750 AD Ravenna was, variously, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, then of the (Christian) Ostrogoth Kingdom, led by Theodoric (493-526) - it was re-conquered by the Eastern Orthodox Empire in 540 (under Justinian) and for a century was the seat of Byzantine rule in Italy. Each set of rulers wished to outdo their predecessors with the splendour of their monuments. As a result Ravenna has the greatest concentration of exquisite C5-7th mosaics in the world. The talk will focus on the Arian Baptistry, the Basilica of San Vitale and the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo.

Why were foreigner painters preferred by the aristocracy in London to native-born English painters, why did foreigners come in the first place, what was their motivation, and what was the impact of foreigners in London on English art and art practise?
The lecture will look at the various formats and uses of art, tracing foreign artists from the Tudor period through to the Renaissance and Baroque, looking at their origins and how they came to work in England. It will examine the contributions of artists such as Holbein, Gerrit van Honthorst, Marcus Gheeraerts the younger, Lucas and Susanna Horenbout, Isaac Oliver, Paulus van Somer, van Dyck, Peter Lely, and Rubens. This lecture will look at how these artists influenced the British School of painting and assess their legacy.

OPERA AND DESIGN                            

Opera is an elaborate, even extravagant, art form. From its earliest times at the beginning of the 17th century, up to the present day, it has employed artists and architects to design sets and costumes, and has used the richest materials and effects, often by means of tromp-l’oeil and other forms of visual trickery. Simon Rees traces the arts associated with opera through surviving drawings, paintings, early theatres and their scenery, up to the present day, where such artists as John Piper, Sidney Nolan and David Hockney have thrived as theatre designers. Simon Rees draws on his own experience as Welsh National Opera’s Dramaturg from 1989-2012 in delivering this detailed and entertaining account.

The Edo period (1603-1867) in Japan was characterised by its isolation policy towards the West from 1639.  As the nation developed a prolonged period of domestic peace and prosperity, the towns and cities rapidly grew and evolved a lively and sophisticated urban culture based upon the affluent merchants, artisans and townsfolk.  The popular entertainments of kabuki theatre, sumo wrestling, tea  houses,  pretty women, shops and brothels were captured in  woodblock prints depicting Ukiyo-e ,  the ‘floating world’ of transient pleasures.

Of the many fine artists working during  this era, two in particular captured the spirit of the age in their masterful woodblock print designs;  Katsushika Hokusai and Ando Hiroshige.  Contemporaries, their work covered the late Edo period from 1780s to 1850s, depicting in great detail the daily lives,  past times, preoccupations and leisure activities of the population of Edo.

In their final years both artists produced their best work, creating  masterpieces of landscape imagery  that are world famous today, including Hokusai’s The Great Wave at Kanagawa from the series  Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,  and Hiroshige’s  The Fifty-three Stations of the Tokaido Highway.

Bustling , noisy , vibrant , New York epitomises the modern city at its best   (and occasional worst).  Sailing  past  the  Statue of  Liberty ,  we begin  by being processed as immigrants at Ellis Island  before marvelling  at  this Leviathan whose  sky line bristles with skyscrapers.

Marvel at the architectural splendours of the Brooklyn Bridge,  the two cathedrals of St Patrick's and St John  the Divine plus the massive Metropolitan Museum of Art before strolling through  the Frick Collection , Central Park and  enjoying  a peek inside Frank Lloyd Wright's Guggenheim Muse um.

And as for the lavishly refurbished Grand Central Station ... Wow!

The magical qualities of stained glass windows in the historic churches of the City of London - windows created by a series of remarkable artists and craftsmen in a variety of styles. Discover their symbolism, spiritual dimensions and above all radiant visual beauty.

The Adoration of the Magi was one of the most popular religious subjects for the great artists and we follow their work over nine centuries. The term 'Magi' refers to the Zoroastrian priest-sages, anonymous wise men who specialised in medicine, religion and astronomy. We investigate how they travelled from 'The East' - variously identified as any country from Arabia to Persia. Tradition has placed the number of Magi at three, relating to gold, frankincense, and myrrh, with Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar becoming universal symbols and representations. 

The first bodies to be built on early motor cars were constructed by carriage makers - many of these vehicles being just existing carriages with added motors. We still talk of 'carriageways' and 'coachwork'. Gradually, however as technology progressed and cars became faster, new materials and techniques produced special styles, more jazz age than Edwardian. This lecture describes some typical carriages of the 19th century, and looks at the transition which eventually created the extravagant bodies on the great marques of the first half of the 20th. 

The Wallace Collection, a national museum containing an outstanding array of paintings, furniture, porcelain, arms and armour, and other works of art, was brought together by five generations of one family between about 1780 and 1880. All the Founders were remarkable – and sometimes rather strange - men in their own right, but the greatest collectors were the 4th Marquess of Hertford and his illegitimate son, Sir Richard Wallace, who lived most of their lives in Paris. It is their French upbringing which largely explains the strong, but by no means overwhelming, French emphasis to much of the Collection.

This lecture tells the fascinating story of the Wallace Collection’s formation, and also presents many of its finest treasures.

The period 1900-1939 saw some of Cartier's most original and imaginative design - from their pioneering diamond and platinum jewellery of around 1900 to the fascination with exotic influences and the bold geometric designs of the interwar years with their unrivalled brilliance of conception and craftsmanship.

This lecture, given by the organiser of the exhibition Cartier 1900-1939 shown at the British Museum in 1997-8 and author of the exhibition catalogue, reveals not only the genius behind Cartier's luxurious jewels, but also the firm’s celebrity clientele, from the royal heads of Europe to Indian maharajahs, American heiresses and stars of film and stage.

By the seventeenth century successful artists had achieved such a rise in social status that painting their own image became an appropriate and sought after subject matter for their work. No longer content with inserting images of themselves amongst crowds or in the guise of others, this lecture looks at the origin of self-portraiture and the rise of the subject culminating in Rembrandt’s massive production of the genre.

In  1953 HM the Queen Mother described The Art Fund (then called the National Art Collections Fund) as “the greatest collectors of all time” and her description remains true today.   This lecture takes the audience behind the scenes at the Art Fund, the independent fund-raising charity for art, to give a lively account of its history and achievements, and the enormous impact its work has had on public collecting.  In today’s difficult financial climate, The Art Fund plays an increasingly vital role in helping museums and galleries to acquire works of art of all kinds.   

The title of this lecture comes from the title of the lecturer’s book and draws on his experience of living amongst the nomads of Iran and his travels throughout the Near East and Afghanistan

Some examples of rugs and weaving will be on  display

Horace Walpole’s ‘Little Gothic Castle’ at Strawberry Hill is the most famous and influential example of the mid-eighteenth Gothic revival style, much favoured by men of letters and antiquarians. The creation of this novel,  irregular house and its delightful interiors, full of the ‘gloomth’ that inspired his gothic novel, was described in characteristically playful and witty tones in  Walpole’s voluminous correspondence. His published Description of the house in 1784 reveals his extraordinary collections of rare books, antiquities, paintings, miniatures, furniture, ceramics and curiosities that were dispersed in the great sale of 1842. This lecture will set Strawberry Hill within the gothic revival of the day, and show Walpole to have been one of the great collectors of the century.

In December 1895 Art Nouveau was just the name of an art gallery. By 1900, it had become the ultimate expression of modernity, decking the city's new metro stations and dazzling the 50 million visitors to the World Fair. Yet, by 1905 the style had faded away, making way to a budding new style by 1909 which would be identified as Art Deco, and named as such only several decades later. Yet by 1925, it reigned supreme during the Paris International Exhibition of Decorative Arts, bearing in mind that the French ‘arts décoratifs’ is generic, and therefore was still unnamed as a style. Is there really a disjunction between Art Nouveau and Art Déco? Remarkable samples from architecture, jewellery, textile, fashion, artefacts and posters might provide us with an answer.

Botticelli is one of the best-loved artists of the Florentine renaissance. This lecture looks at his career and at the city that shaped his art, putting his paintings in their historical context, and showing how they reflect Botticelli’s world. From The Birth of Venus and Primavera, painted during the golden age of the Medici, to the Mystic Nativity, redolent of the religious fervour of Savonarola, who dominated Florence after the expulsion of the Medici in 1494, Botticelli’s paintings are not only stunning works of art, but visual testimony to one of the most eventful periods in Florentine history.

Forget Callas and Domingo – the theatre at Covent Garden has had a most chequered  career.  Panto first saw the light of day here: popular Christmas entertainments put on, then as now, to pay for the serious plays and operas performed during the rest of the year.  Even 300 years on, operas and ballets have echoes of those first Christmas shows: Columbine and Harlequin still dance in The Nutcracker, the children still escape the witch in Hansel and Gretel, and Cinderella either sings (Rossini or Massenet) or dances (Ashton) her way to the obligatory happy ending.

Ancient traditions in this rugged country have an amazing and colourful history, rich in unique art and architecture. Frescoes and murals bring even the smallest highland church to brilliant life, and there are an estimated 3,000 varieties of metalwork crosses, paraded each year at 'Timkat', Ethiopian Epiphany. From the traditional art forms found in manuscripts and church murals, has grown a body of more recent artwork. The most spectacular architecture is the incredible rock-cut churches of Lalibela, the fabled castles of Gondar, and then there is the Ark of the Covenant….

Sweden was the most influential and probably the most significant glassmaking nation of the 20th century. Early technical breakthroughs at Orrefors around 1920, established Swedish glass on the international stage. The period was marked by Swedish glass achieving such eminence in quality, originality and diversity that it can rightly be viewed as a golden age that endured for about 50 years. In the 1950s, the industry employed around 3,000. Today, perhaps just ten percent remain. Ironically, the most destructive force against Swedish glassmaking has arguably been IKEA, the giant international domestic retailer. Its base remains at Anghults, deep in the Swedish forests of the glassmaking region, known as Småland.

To commemorate the bicentenary in 2015 this special lecture offers an artistic and cultural appreciation of one of the most famous battles of all time. Waterloo was a defining moment in European history and the lecture shows how artists have interpreted the event and so influenced our understanding of what actually happened on 18 June 1815, and not always correctly!

A history of the great Meissen porcelain factory and its productions up to 1756. This lecture will look at Augustus the Strong as patron and collector, the work of Johann Friedrich Böttger, the early production of red stoneware, the technical problems faced at the beginning, the first successful white porcelain pieces produced and the inspiration behind their forms. It will go on to discuss the development of enamel colours, the influence of China and Japan on early decoration, the popularity of harbour scenes, the commissioning of the great animal and bird figures and the work of the great modeller Johann Joachim Kändler. It will also examine the grand dinner services, the growing fashion for small-scale porcelain figures as table decoration, the change in taste from exotic ‘Indianischeblumen’ to naturalistic ‘Deutscheblumen’ and the impact of the Seven Years War.

Two hundred and fifty years after Antonio Stradivari’s death, his violins and cellos remain the most highly prized instruments in the world. Loved by great musicians and capable of fetching fabulous sums when sold, their tone and beauty are legendary. Every subsequent violin-maker has tried to match them. Not one has succeeded. How can that be? This lecture explores that central mystery by following some of Stradivari’s instruments from his workshop to the present day. It is a story that travels from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, and from the breakthroughs of Beethoven’s last quartets to the first phonographic recordings. The lecture is illustrated with pictures of violins and of key individuals and locations, as well as with some short musical recordings.

Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world, is the architectural culmination of a series of monumental Mughal tombs, those of Humayun (in Delhi), Akbar (in Sikandra) and Jahangir (in Lahore). But instead of the quartered garden which normally surrounded such a tomb, Shah Jahan chose the traditional Agra riverfront garden, in order to create for his deceased beloved, Mumtaz Mahal, a garden palace worthy of Paradise. The Taj Mahal thus combines extraordinary architectural beauty with deep spirituality.

With the advent of the Arts and Crafts movement bookbindings became works of art in themselves. Dominic is one of a small number of bookbinders working today who create these unique Design Bindings. This lecture shows a range of these contemporary bindings, made variously for collectors, exhibitions, competitions, libraries and the occasional Booker shortlisted author. He will show how each design grows from a response to the text and illustrations of the printed book, and explain the technical aspects of their execution. He will also bring some of his Design Bindings for people to view.

In the medieval period highly distinctive styles of architecture developed in remote Transylvania and Moldavia. This lecture first illustrates the fine Gothic churches that the Saxon settlers built in Transylvania and survive in their elegant towns and, uniquely, behind formidable fortifications in their villages. The main part of the lecture depicts the ‘Painted Monasteries’ of Moldavia, famous for their frescoes that stem from the Orthodox Byzantine tradition, and for the lovely architectural ensembles. The frescoes cover the entire outside walls of the churches and still maintain their wonderfully vivid colours and details. All this is set in the context of Romania’s landscape and history.