This lecture focuses on the costume and dress accessories that would have been worn at both formal (Regulated Court Costume) and informal occasions at the Imperial Court by Civil, Military and High ranking members of the Imperial Family. David will bring a display of Insignia of Rank badges for us to examine. Lecturer: David…
Beginning in Lübeck and Hamburg in the 13th Century, the Hanseatic League eventually linked some 60 European cities in a series of trade agreements. Understanding the importance of the League is essential to the knowledge of European mercantile history from the 13th to the 17th Century and the Art and Architecture inspired by this.…
The Sistine Chapel is rightly considered one of the modern wonders of the world. It is a sacred building where mysterious elections take place infrequently whilst the rest of the time thousands visit it on a daily basis. This lecture will look at the incredible artistic decoration of the ceiling by Michelangelo. Lecturer: Dan…
Antoni Gaudi developed a style unmistakably as his own, from the colourful Casa Batlió and curvilinear Casa Mila to the impossibly grandiose Roman Catholic Templo Expiatorio de la Sagrada Familia. Everything about Gaudi is larger than life. Lecturer: Anne Anderson MA, PhD Anne, with a degree in Archaeology and a PhD in English, was…
Rodin was one of the heroic figures in Art of the 19th Century and internationally celebrated during his lifetime. However, his reputation slipped after his death. His work is now being reassessed and David surveys his work showing why he is one of the greatest sculptors ever. Lecturer: David Worthington David was drawn to…
Elizabeth I was the most remarkable woman in a remarkable age. With passing reference to literature and architecture Mark will focus mainly on the portraits, miniatures and music of Elizabeth’s Court and the confidence of this Golden Age. Lecturer: Mark Cottle Born on the Isles of Scilly, Mark was educated at Truro School in…
Why do we bring a tree into our homes at Christmas? How did Santa become the Patron Saint of Pawnbrokers and what has a snake got to do with it all? The truth about some Christmas traditions may surprise you! Lecturer: Geri Parlby MA PhD Geri’s career spans across diverse fields as a news…
Although glass has been made for centuries, the 1960’s saw a revolution in the way it was produced. Mark will be examining the creative work of six key glass artists including Dale Chihuly, Sam Herman and Peter Layton. This talk will include top tips and a study of the market today. Lecturer: Mark Hill…
The formal ‘paradise’ gardens of Persia (Iran) are noted for their tranquillity and respite from the summer heat.Adopted by Arab traders, such garden designs can be found across the Islamic World from Granada in the West to the Mughal Empire in India. Justin describes the Persian chahar-bargh concept integral to the Islamic garden scene now…