Art History: Art, Revolution and the Making Of Cities

Cities can provide the ideal environment for turning points in
History, and art can provide the ideal perspective on events in history
We'll talk about both in this informal series of talks.

This series of four talks will focus on cities at turning points
In history - how revolution, defeat in war, political assassinations can all
Provide the context for huge changes in politics, art, culture and society.
The impact of great events such as the French Revolution and Germany’s defeat
in World War One will allow us to examine how artists portrayed these
upheavals. Was art itself transformed by these crises?

The talks are informal and will encourage discussion, debate and
questions. The main aim is to provide some basic insight into cities at times of great change.
Cities provide a focal point for an understanding of issues affecting whole countries. Events in
those cities were hugely consequential. How did artists portray these events; how was their art affected by
major political changes? This can’t be a comprehensive survey - much will have to be left
Out, but we Hope to cover main themes, providing historical context and examination and analysis of art
And artists associated with those themes.

The four sessions this term will cover:

Wednesday 9 September 2026

Florence 1494 - the downfall of the Medici.

Wednesday 23 September 2026

Paris 1789 - the collapse of the Ancien Regime and the French
Revolution.

Wednesday 7 October 2026

Paris 1815 - the defeat of Napoleon.

Wednesday 28 October 2026

Petrograd 1917 - the fall of Tsar Nicholas, the rise of
Bolshevism and the Bolshevik revolution.

About the tutors:

Tutors Trevor Allen and Sally Gower are
both retired school teachers. Trevor taught History and Sally taught Art and
Art History at Leicester Grammar School. They have extensive experience of
the subjects having taught A Level to many students over many years. They may
Be retired but still have terrific enthusiasm for their subjects and have not
Stopped learning more and wanting to share their enthusiasm with others.

Sally has used her retirement to travel a lot more, always to
places where there is art to be seen, and Trevor has spent much time learning
more about local history and leading guided walks in and around Leicester.

Further
Information:

Participants
must be aged 18+. No prior knowledge of art history or study experience is
Required, just an interest in finding out more about art history!

If the course/workshop
You'd like to book is sold out, we do operate a waiting list - simply contact
our box office team on / and ask to be added to the waiting list. We’ll then
Contact you if a place becomes available, with absolutely no obligation to
Accept it if you've made other plans!

Please
ensure that you read and agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before
Booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable if cancelled within 21 days
Of the start date for any reason.

We aim to make all our
sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome - just
remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like
To talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss
your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email
Arts-centre@le.Ac.UK, pop in or call, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts
Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building
For blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are
Occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on
weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next
door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road. The closest public car
park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from
Us.