Art History: Understanding Art Better

A series
Of four 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 four
talks will run on Wednesday mornings, 10:30am -12pm, on the following dates:

Wednesday 2 September 2026

South Seas Deceptions: The full coloured exoticism of Paul Gauguin compared with the monocoloured delineations of Robert Gibbings

Both Gauguin and Gibbings had a long love affair with the
culture, landscapes and topography of Polynesia. This talk explores the
Images which emerged from this sensual relationship.

Wednesday 16 September 2026

Five Hundred Years of European Print Making

The versatility of the print in making art accessible to
The population at large is demonstrated by surveying very different works
from Albrecht Durer to Pablo Picasso.

Wednesday 30 September 2026

The Fascination of Animals in Art: From the Twee to the Noble?

Landseer’s dogs were rather different from
Gaudier-Brzeska’s depiction of a tiger. A not too serious question is posed
As to why and how the animal kingdom has fascinated many artists.

Wednesday 21 October 2026

Abstraction in Landscape Art in Britain

The comfort and tradition of the pastoral landscapes of our
island was arguably usurped by the disruption and chaos of the Second World
War. The departure from the styles of John Constable and J.M.W. Turner is
compared with the dramatically different post war work of Alan Reynolds, Ivor
Hitchens, Ben Nicholson, Peter Lanyon and others

Each
Talk can be booked individually or book the full series of four talks and
Save 10%.

About
The tutor:

Tutor David Antill ALA MA has been a member of the Attenborough
Arts Centre’s art history teaching team for a number of years. Previously a
librarian, union official and teacher of law, David researched in the graphic
arts for his Master’s degree and his continuing research interests are in
Avant-garde art and the schools of wood engraving.

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.