The Low Countries and the Start of Landscape Painting

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This unique genre was first fully explored as an individual subject in the Low Countries.

The Dutch had a particular relationship with their land, reclaiming it from the sea and becoming independent as a republic.

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We will discuss its beginnings, its development, and its influences on later artists in other countries.

Symbolism, Iconography and the Hidden Meaning in Art

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Discover the deeper meaning hidden in the work of paintings of the past. Learn how to read the secrets of different objects, forms, shapes and colours included on the canvas. As the centuries passed, a language of symbols developed so that artists could tell stories with deeper and more intricate emphasis.

This lecture, or lecture series, will cover a wide range of art of diverse kinds and origins, and examine the fascinating and complex range of different symbols no longer recognised by modern audiences, making it easier for you to interpret works of art.

Brueghel & Rubens, a fruitful partnership

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In the early 17th century 2 admired painters teamed up to profit from each other’s strengths: Peter Paul Rubens painted the figures while Jan Brueghel the Elder the landscapes, flora and fauna.

Join Mariska as she discusses this fruitful partnership and looks at some of their most mesmerizing works of art.

Master Pieces: David by Michelangelo

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These one hour talks will take the time to properly look at some of the most well-known and admired pieces of art by talking not just about what our eyes can see, but highlighting the artist, the story being told, the time in which it was made, the art historical period, the techniques used, the size and material, the patron and places it was displayed.

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David is possibly one of Michelangelo's most recognisable and most copied works of art, but it is also often misunderstood. This lecture will rectify!

Art Nouveau in Europe and America

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For a short moment in time, between Arts & Crafts and Modernity, elegant curvy lines and patterns inspired by nature dominated a new type of art which decorated buildings, interiors and decorative objects.

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We will look at some of the most aesthetically revolutionary names from this period: Horta, Gaudi, Tiffany, and many more!

Very strange works of art

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Ever noticed UFO's in paintings or aliens on old churches, Mary spanking Christ turning his buttock red, women with beards, people with multiple heads, a saint with horns, Christ looking like an old man?

I have collected an incredible selection of intriguing and often funny art works over the years, all peculiar, but many with a perfectly normal explanation (except for this one maybe...). 

How to distinguish western art historical periods.

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Want to be able to recognise what made Renaissance art so different from art made during the Middle Ages? Instantly be able to pinpoint the difference between the Renaissance, the Baroque, Mannerism and Rococo? And understand what happened in art history after the French Revolution?

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This whirlwind lecture focusses on the difference in the subsequent styles which make up the canon of western art history so that you will be able to tell when and where an artwork was made!

Women and the Dutch Republic

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In 17th century Holland woman were relatively emancipated. They could read, go out on their own, work and fight alongside men, continue their husband's business when he was away or after his death, had the right to enter contracts and control their own dowries. 

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This lecture will discuss these modern women alongside artwork from that period.

Mondriaan's Evolution into Abstraction

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Mondriaan is forever known in history for the artist who created the extremely recognisable elementary colour field paintings. He started creating these kind of paintings around 1920. What many do not realise is that by then he had already 30 years of being a figurative artist under his belt.

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This lecture follows this evolution, his self discovery, and his belief in a new world order.

Early 20th Century and the role of women as consumers of the new type of art

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From the early 20th century we see women using art collecting as a means to establish independent identities. We follow the founders of 4 of New York City’s most iconic museums as they emerged in Manhattan between 1929-39:
 
the Museum of Modern Art,
the Whitney,
the Frick Collection, and
the Guggenheim Museum.

World-famous, but all founded by now relatively unknown women.

The Art of Banksy

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Alongside his street art, Banksy has been creating works for sale for more than 20 years. This British contemporary artist might seem like a graffiti artist living for a laugh and a headline, but the artworld has caught up with his popular appeal, and Banksy has properly earned his place in art history. Truly independent, highly socially involved, and with a dry British wit, it is time to introduce the artist and his work!

The Difficulty with Rembrandt

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For all his talent, this rather unpleasant, over ambitious, over confident man actually lived through some tough times personally. But he also lived through some of the most interesting times during the Golden Age of the Republic of the Netherlands. 

Amsterdam was beaming with wealth, different cultures, new and exotic objects, foods and materials and an optimism and self belief unequaled anywhere else in Europe. Some of this is captured by Rembrandt, but his art is also one of his own personal evolution into disillusionment.

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This lecture will showcase the beauty and suffering, the nice and the ugly, the exciting and the disappointing.

Master Pieces:

Marriage Portrait of Isaac Massa and Beatrix van der Laen by Frans Hals

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One of the most charming paintings in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, this double portrait shows Hals at his best: depicting people at their most relaxed, most approachable. Painted with his virtuous style of bold brushstrokes so admired by the Impressionist.

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This one hour talk will look at the artist, the sitters, the style, the period, the symbolism, the influence and the uniqueness of this painting.

Master Pieces:

Madame X by Singer Sargent

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This painting almost killed Sargent's career, but it is fitting that it now proudly hangs in the Metropolitan Museum as it was America which at the turn of the century had much more progressive ideas about art and about women than Europe did!

We will look at the sitter, the artist, the scandal, the impact, the time in which it was made and how Sargent's style sits within this period.