Art History: Understanding Art Better

A series of five talks with discussion time for anyone with an interest in understanding and challenging their views on art.

These accessible talks with discussion time are intended for anyone interested in developing their understanding of art, whatever their existing level of knowledge. Some historical context for individual artists and schools of art will be given but the emphasis will be on appreciating individual works of art and how and why they were created. You will not be expected to like every painting, print, or piece of sculpture seen on screen but you will be able to challenge the ideas and arguments presented.

The five talks will run on Wednesday mornings, on the following dates:

Wednesday 22 April:

Leading women wood engravers of the 20th and 21st Centuries. Why are they so much admired?

Wednesday 6 May:

The very different landscapes of the 19th Century English Ancients compared with the Russian Impressionists. How national culture and topography produced very different depictions of the landscape.

Wednesday 27 May:

The lure of Graeco-Roman legends for Renaissance painters. The drama and detail shown by leading artists of the time is examined within the broad context of the legends themselves.

Wednesday 10 June:

The purity and humanism of the work of Fra Angelico Dominican Monk and Painter (1395-1455).

Wednesday 24 June:

Tirzah Garwood (1908-1951) Sophisticated Naïve in war-time Britain compared with Berhe Morisot (1841-1895) the only French woman Impressionist. Very different styles but delightful outcomes.