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, 10:30am -12pm, on the following dates:

Wednesday 14 January: Still Life Painting from the Dutch Golden Age to the Modernism of Cézanne and Morandi.

Wednesday 28 January: Agents of Change: the Modern Poster in Britain and in the Soviet Union.

Wednesday 11 February: Ecstasy in the Depiction of the Nude: A comparison of Kenneth Clark’s study of its classical origins with the later study of The Male Figure in Art by Edward Lucie-Smith.

Wednesday 18 March: Rural England as found in the paintings, watercolours and wood engravings of Claughton Pellew and Kechie Tennent.

Wednesday 25 March: From the Ground to the Sky: Art and Speed - Futurism in Flight.