Street art has evolved from its roots in American graffiti to becoming a global art movement. From portraiture to abstract expressionism, many of the major conventional genres are included in street art.

Prepare to be amazed!

This lecture is preceeded by the AGM 

The June Robinson Memorial Lecture

Exposing a disorder at the heart of polite society, Christie emerges as one of the twentieth century’s greatest chroniclers of political instability

Leading Pre-Raphaelite artist Edward Burne-Jones was consumed for decades by his Briar Rose series of paintings, one of the greatest works of Victorian art. They tell the story of Sleeping Beauty in a mystical dream-world that intertwines medieval romance, decorative craftsmanship and natural beauty. Their exhibition in 1890 caused a sensation, and artists, royalty and thousands of ordinary people flocked to see them. This lecture will look at these beautiful paintings in depth, and recount their creation, exhibition, and the magnificent setting that Burne-Jones designed for them at Buscot Park in Oxfordshire, where they still hang today

Gilbert and Sullivan were one of the most successful musical partnerships ever, and even today over 130 years later their operas are still beingperformed. This talk tells the story of their partnership, with extracts of music from most of the G & S operas.

Inspired to produce this talk after visiting the National Portrait Gallery, Andrew traces the missing jewels worn by monarchs through the ages, from Catherine de Medici to Elizabeth II

This lecture explains why Stonehenge must be regarded as architectural in its layout and construction, embodying  techniques that for centuries convinced antiquarians that it could not have been built by ‘primitive’ ancient Britons but must be a product of ‘sophisticated’ Romans. We then explore how, over the last two centuries, this iconic structure has inspired painters, potters and poets. Blake, Turner, Constable and Moore are amongst those who have all been drawn to this magnificent ruin, resulting in a diverse catalogue of images and impressions. Finally, we will look at Stonehenge as a global icon and how it’s instantly recognisable stones now grace tea towels in Wiltshire, phone cards in Japan and stamps from Bhutan. 

Peggy Guggenheim's father went down on the Titanic in 1912, and with her unexpectedly early inheritance Peggy began collecting the artworks that would make her famous. Many of the first class passengers were saved and survived,  but the other classes of passenger were abandoned to their fate. Thus, Titanic remains in the collective memory, yet this talk also examines a different angle: a huge number of people throughout Britain and Ireland had worked on producing parts for this gigantic, technically superior ship, or knew someone who had. In this richly illustrated presentation what went into the making of this triple screw sea giant with its lavish interiors is set out.

A king's favourite who amassed a great art collection.

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was the favourite of King James I and subsequently chief minister to King Charles I.

Buckingham was a beauty, and he surrounded himself with beautiful things. He enjoyed exquisite clothes, like the fabulous white silk suit encrusted with diamonds that he wore to visit the Queen of France.

In his great house on the Strand he put together a collection of art works as fine as King Charles’s.  At the age of 35 Buckingham was murdered. His collection was scattered, but contemporary inventories allow us to reconstruct it. 

Tyler Butterworth,  whose famous actor parents were Peter Butterworth and Janet Brown, is our speaker for the 2026 New Year Lunch and Lecture. 
The Golden Age of British Comedy ran from the 1970’s to the 1980’s and occurred as we started to drift away from theatres and radios, and found ourselves living through a wonderfully rich period of television comedy.

In this lecture we learn the origins of two legendary theatres that gave birth to modern West End theatre: Theatre Royal Drury Lane and The Royal Opera House.  We meet the men who shaped the buildings and learn how despite frequent fires, riots and financial ruin, time and again the theatres made spectacular comebacks proving that the show MUST go on!

In 16th century Venice, Tintoretto, helped by his studio assistants, produced work so quickly that he was nicknamed ‘Il Furioso’ (“The Furious”) by his contemporaries. 

Without the benefit of an apprenticeship he had to find work the hard way: by under-cutting prices and delivering commissions faster than his competitors.

The mansions built during America’s “Gilded Age” came in all shapes and sizes, but a significant number were inspired by  a varied selection of classic English houses.  Mark will explore the characters, quirks and stories behind these truly international treasures.

The June Robinson Memorial Lecture

During Jane Austen’s lifetime, women were expected to be virtuous and biddable.  This lecture explores how far Austen subverted her readers’ expectations and rebelled against convention.

The original casting was not Bogart or Bergman and the film’s composer, Max Steiner, hated “You Must Remember This.”  However, Casablanca won the Best Picture Oscar for 1943 and it still remains one of the greatest romantic movies ever produced.

Ian tracks the early stages of cartoons and how, through the works of William Hogarth and James Gillray, they gradually evolved.  Copious illustrations abound  from the masters of their craft, including Ronald Searle, Heath Robinson, Giles and Gerald Scarfe.

This talk discusses how the proliferation of  ‘Green Man’ images around the year 1400  may have evolved from pagan and Classical times and what its purpose may have been.

Learn how the 19th century palaeontologist searched the Jurassic rocks of England's south coast to unearth what were believed to be sea dragons - now called marine reptiles.

Aaron’s journey will take us into a distant past, from south-west England to southern Germany where shallow seas were inhabited by fish lizards, marine crocodiles and ancient starfish like animals.

Two of the world’s greatest composers were born 130km and just one month apart. Their careers took very different directions, and they never met, despite several near misses. Patrick will reunite these two giants, tracking their lives across six decades.
 

This lecture is supported by Patrick Gardner

Taking one mythological painting from each of the three major Italian cities; Venice, Florence, and Rome, Helen will explore the extraordinary secrets of Renaissance marriage.  Each city had very different attitudes towards marriage and the talk will uncover the politics, personalities, and sex lives of the Renaissance rich and famous.

Monopoly is one of the most successful board games of all time, but how well do we really know it? This talk covers the origin of the game and then focusses on the classic 1936 London board.   How the properties were selected, the relationship between the members of each set and which ones don’t actually exist are just some of the questions addressed in this talk.

Expect some surprises and great images as we look at the history of these familiar locations and uncover some of the mysteries behind Monopoly.

Everyone will learn something new about this familiar old friend of a board game.

The perfect complement to our November visit to a performance of A Christmas Carol at the Old Vic! This talk ranges from Dickensi-an Christmas stories to traditional Victorian Christmas activities and the inspiration for ghost stories at Christmas.

On the morning of 3rd February 1931 an earthquake struck New Zealand and by the end of the day, the port of Napier was in ruins. But from this catastrophe rose a phoenix, for Napier was rebuilt in record time and today Napier has the largest number of art deco buildings in the densest concentration of anywhere on the planet.

If you think of St Pancras International or New York Grand Central you imagine long romantic journeys. You know they are special places promising excitement and adventure. But there are dozens of other glorious stations in the UK and overseas. We will take a journey around some of the most evocative and splendid stations in the world. We will look not only at the magnificence of the architecture and brilliant engineering but will also discover numerous artworks within the stations and examine many depictions of stations in art – like Claude Monet’s Gare St Lazare or William Powell Frith’s Paddington. It may sound a bit anoraky, but it’s definitely not. It’s lavish, colourful and fun.

In 1897 it was believed that the Wallace Collection contained twelve paintings by Rembrandt. By 1992 it was thought that only one was a genuine work by Rembrandt.  This talk tells the fascinating story of how connoisseurship changes and the impact this has on how we view art work.

In 1762 Princess Sophie Auguste Frederike deposed her husband, and was crowned Empress Catherine II and so became the sole ruler of the Russian Empire. With seemingly inexhaustible wealth, she set about creating the most glittering court in Europe, if not the world.

Austrian artist Rudolf Swoboda was commissioned to paint authentic portraits of Queen Victoria’s Indian subjects, producing some extraordinary paintings during his two visits to India.  If Queen Victoria couldn’t travel to India – India had to come to her!

This talk combines the lives of the Astors, the Sackville-Wests and the Rothschilds and their family history with the story of the gardens they created, despite their very different backgrounds, here in the English countryside.

Frederic Leighton’s studio-house is one of the most remarkable buildings of the nineteenth-century. First built in the 1860s, Leighton continued to extend and embellish his home over the next thirty years, transforming what had been a relatively modest house into a palace of art filled with fascinating collections of fine and decorative art.

In 2024 the National Gallery celebrates its 200th birthday. In the run up to this special anniversary, Siân will explore some of the nation’s best-loved paintings in a new light, revealing details which cannot be seen with the naked eye. She will also discuss what goes on behind the scenes in the conservation, framing and scientific departments.

The master artists of late medieval Siena had a particular brief to fulfil and a unique relationship to their sacred subject matter of the Virgin and Saints. Despite being eclipsed for centuries by Classicism, this lecture passionately promotes the beauty and mystical qualities of Sienese painting as ground-breaking and influential.

To kick off our seasonal celebrations, musician and broadcaster Sandy Burnett will share his selection of much-loved Christmas tunes. Expect an hour of the finest festive music from across the globe – including Tchaikovsky’s ballet The Nutcracker, a heavenly chorus from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Leipzig - and something from Eartha Kitt…

Johannes Vermeer’s paintings are among the best-loved artworks in the world. A hotly debated topic is his supposed use of the camera obscura. We will investigate the history of optical devices in art and examine the latest theories on Vermeer’s technique. It will be an opportunity to look at Vermeer’s beguiling work afresh through a different lens.

This lecture tells the gripping story of how a band of heroic curators saved Britain’s national heritage during our Darkest Hour. As Hitler’s forces gathered on the other side of the Channel, men and women from London’s national museums, galleries and archives forged extraordinary plans to evacuate their collections to safety.

Some of our most beautifully bound books are held in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle. They are variously encrusted with jewels, coloured leather, and sumptuous gold tooling.  From his perspective as a fine binder and bookbinding historian, Dominic will share the best of these books with us.

Khiva, a desert oasis in Uzbekistan, was the location Chris chose to establish a workshop reviving 15th century carpet designs and embroideries. The lecture will examine the traditional role of carpet weaving and embroidery in the social lives of Central Asian women and the cultural and political constraints which continue to challenge attempts at reviving the rich textile heritage of Khiva.

Seasonal suburban resorts like Vauxhall provided generations of Londoners with a space to perambulate, flirt, eat and listen to music. This talk begins with the story of Restoration-era Spring Gardens and finishes in the 1870s. It explains and illustrates their multi-sensory appeal, shows how they inspired artists such as Hogarth and Whistler and shaped today's Proms.

How did a modest jewellery concern with an un-Russian sounding name become an enduring symbol of Romanov luxury?  This lecture considers the design sources, materials and techniques that distinguished the legendary Russian firm from its contemporaries. We will look at Fabergé gifts that were selected to convey romantic ties, filial devotion, and even loyalty from a beloved pet.

Mankind has exploited the medicinal properties of plants for thousands of years, yet the role of plants in modern medicine is still considered to be peripheral. This richly illustrated  lecture puts the record straight and shows that plant products can be used by all of us to relieve pain.

The artist Walter Crane stated that the great charm of Willam Morris and Arts & Crafts style decoration was that it lent itself to “either simplicity or splendour”.  This lecture explores the decoration and design of the most notable Morris and Arts & Crafts interiors and discusses how they manage to combine the characteristics of both simplicity and splendour.

The Dust Bowl was a major event in 20th century American history and the photographs of the time provide a very powerful social history record of the period.     This talk focusses on the work of Dorothea Lange, one of the great photographers of the last century.

J.M.W. Turner still represents the benchmark for artists working in watercolour today. This lecture examines Turner’s watercolour practice in detail. In addition to showcasing the diversity and richness of his achievements in the medium, we will look at his experimental approach to techniques and some of his tools and materials.

This lecture discusses the increasing popularity of classical music in the modern world.   It will show how classical music enhances the drama, the tension and the romance of feature films.  It will also look at its place in many TV commercials.    Finally it will show how classical motifs have been borrowed for a huge number  of popular hit records.

The Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II  amassed one of the most impressive collections of art, natural artefacts and scientific instruments in Europe. This lecture will explore the nature of Rudolf’s collection and the wide networks of artistic patronage that his collecting enabled across Europe. 

This fascinating lecture takes us on a journey through the history of literary tourism in the UK. Beginning in Stratford in the 18th century with the cult of Shakespeare, we move north to Scotland and then end with the founding of museums dedicated to Wordsworth, the Brontes and Jane Austen.

On Ernest Shackleton’s third Antarctic expedition his ship, the Endurance, was trapped and crushed in the pack ice. He sailed for help to South Georgia over 800 miles away.  The expedition’s photographer, Hurley, captured the new and amazing landscapes within which a remarkable human drama played out.

Tessa has resurrected a series of fascinating stories from 19th and 20th century domestic service, at some of our most prominent households. This lecture will look at Mrs Sarah Wells, mother to author H.G. Wells, who kept a revelatory diary for the 14 years she toiled below stairs at Uppark in West Sussex.

We will explore the music making at St Mark’s, the music of Venice's 17th century opera houses, and the important role played by the four Ospidali, which gave rise to the great concertos of Vivaldi and his contemporaries.  We will also looks at 19th and 20th century compositions that were premiered in Venice.

Dame Laura Knight became the first woman elected as a full member of the Royal Academy. Apart from painting landscapes, portraits and seascapes, and scenes from the circus, ballet and theatre, she was the only woman to be given War Commissions and the only British artist to cover the Nuremberg Trials of 1946.                                                                 

Recent turmoil in much of the near East and North Africa means that many of the most impressive sites of the Roman Empire can no longer be visited. This lecture will focus on Roman cities which have been largely destroyed or heavily looted and places that are now too dangerous to visit.

Christopher de Hamel will recount his life spent among medieval manuscripts, from Dunedin in New Zealand via Sotheby’s to Cambridge University. He tells of adventures in the art market and in rare book libraries, and describes the excitement of actually seeing and touching some of the finest illuminated manuscripts ever made.

Carl Giles was voted Britain’s best-loved cartoonist in 2000.  He was once described as  ‘a spreader of happiness and a genius with the common touch’.    Giles said that he loved his creation, Grandma Giles,  because she allowed him to say things through his cartoons that he was too polite to say in person.

Stuart Harvey is a qualified Tourist Guide of Rome and the Vatican, and an Accredited Lecturer for The Arts Society. He lives in Rome, but he grew up in Ashtead and still has family living locally.
He will lead us on a 90 minute virtual tour of Squares and Fountains of Rome, with a short intermission halfway for coffee and questions.
Unlike the virtual trips we did to Lisbon and Rome, our guide will not be walking around Rome with a camera. There is too much background noise, people getting in the way, and there are too many small alleyways in Rome.  The presentation uses a lot of video clips (as well as still photos) to recreate the linear sense of walking around the centre of Rome from monument to monument, and all filmed last February on nice sunny days with very few people around.

The lute holds a special place in the history of art.  This talk will look at the lute and other instruments as devices to express various aspects of the human character in art from the Italian Renaissance, the paintings of Holbein and Titian as well as seventeenth century interiors. (Adam will play his lute)

Artists before the 18th century usually worked with a number of assistants around them, who were trained to reproduce the style of the master as closely as possible. How can we study these workshop productions?   In this lecture, we consider clues, weigh up their relative usefulness, and learn some of the tricks of the connoisseur.

Some our most deeply etched childhood memories come from book illustrations.   Images of ‘Tigger’ and ‘Toad’ or even ‘The Tiger Who Came to Tea’ will probably remain with us for ever.  John will examine how illustrations contribute to the development of understanding and how images and narrative together create such powerful memories.

An overview of the British Studio Pottery movement, exploring handmade pottery in Britain from the last decades of the nineteenth century to the present day. The talk includes the work of the Martin Brothers, Bernard Leach, Lucie Rie, Alison Britton and Grayson Perry.

This lecture serves as an introduction to the idea of armour as an expressive art-form.  The achievements of virtuoso armourers embodied splendour and richness while also carrying more complex messages about status, aristocratic associations, the social order and divine power.

Please note - due to the continuing covid-19 situation and the need to deliver it via Zoom,  the subject of this lecture has been changed.

Well known from appearances on The Antiques Roadshow, Mark Hill will be talking about 'Undresing Antiques'.  A persuasive introduction to buying antiques and how we are integrating and using them in a modern home. The state of the antiques market and the different meanings of the word 'value' are considered and we will take a look at what current and future collectors will be buying, why they are buying them and how they are displaying their items. 

London’s great drivers have always been finance and culture. But while the arts are celebrated in the capital, physical culture is often overlooked. In this lecture, Simon traces London’s sporting culture back to the 12th century.  Much of this story concerns the battle for open space. Other themes include the story of the German Gymnasium, boathouses on the Thames and the mania for lidos in the 1930s.

Two genres shaped the life of Lee Miller, Surrealism and the world of fashion.  She became the top model for many international artists and photographers, including Roland Penrose, later to be her husband. She emerged as a fashion photographer in her own right, metamorphosing into a war correspondent and finally a combat photographer before returning to her role as a photographer for Vogue in the post war years.

(Image © Lee Miller Archives, England 2019. All rights reserved. )

This year commemorates the 200th anniversary of the death of Napoleon.  The Chateau de Malmaison, which was bought by the Napoleon and Josephine as their private retreat, is now a National Museum displaying a huge collection of their possessions.

Dr Aaron Hunter will be taking us through the highlights of this vast treasure house, looking at some of the oldest objects and what might be the most valuable. The museum allows us to journey through the human story from Ancient Egypt to classical Greece and Rome. Finally, we will explore the story of ancient Britain and the significance of the Sutton Hoo Treasure Hoard, featured in the recent Netflix film “The Dig.”

Aaron is one of the select few Blue Badge guides who have permission to guide before the British Museum opens or after it closes. He has recently qualified as an Art Society accredited lecturer.
 

Caravaggio’s paintings inspired many artists during his lifetime and his style spread across Europe giving rise to the international movement known as ‘Caravaggism’.  Yet for many, Caravaggio is famed as much for his criminal record as for his art.  This lecture follows the dramatic incidents of the artist’s life and looks at why and how his influence spread so far.

On the 1,600th anniversary of the founding of Venice, let us transport you there on our magic Zoom carpet. Our guide, Luisella Romeo, will lead us with her camera, on a live tour of Dorsoduro, one of the richest “sestieri” (districts) in terms of art and architecture. During our virtual walk we will see the Salute Church, the great Gesuati dome, and view the Palladian Redentore Church, across the canal on the island of Giudecca. We will pass by the oldest gondola yard on our way to the Accademia Bridge for a final view of the Grand Canal.

Luisella Romeo is an experienced Venice guide who qualified in 2000. She will walk around Venice with a camera. This walk is booked 'weather permitting'.

Gold in South America had a spiritual importance and goldsmiths made some of the most spectacular treasures of the ancient world.  Europeans, by contrast, saw gold as a commodity — the ultimate symbol of wealth.  For decades, Europeans searched in vain for El Dorado, the legendary Golden One.

As sailors did back in the 16th century Portugal, we will go on an adventure, but without setting sail! Our destination will be Belem in the western part of the city of Lisbon, where we can find the Monument to the Discoveries, and the Jeronimos Monastery. This was a  16th century late-gothic work of art, testimony to the wealth of the country in its golden age.  Members who had booked for our holiday to Portugal last year may recognise the name of the Monastery from our itinerary

This is the story of the epic rivalry between the two giants of British Landscape Art, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable.  This lecture sets them head-to-head and examines their differences, their similarities, their battles and their shared triumphs. But who will ultimately be crowned star painter?

We are delighted to offer our members this opportunity to explore the City of Westminster and the six palaces that have been built there over the centuries. It is almost exactly a thousand years since a royal family first settled in Westminster. With just an occasional gap, reigning monarchs have lived there ever since. Join Westminster guide Charlie Forman for a walkthrough of the six palaces that have been their home. Remarkably only the first of these, the Palace of Westminster, was purpose-built to house the monarch. Parliament is still there, but by 1530 the monarch had moved on to the largest palace in the Europe of its time – Whitehall. Almost burnt to the ground in the 1690s, the Banqueting House, the jewel in its crown, is still with us today.  
And what are the other four palaces? What is left of them all today?  
As well as being an experienced London guide Charlie is also an approved Arts Society lecturer.   

Guests are very welcome to join us at a cost of £5 per device.

Contact Teresa on tere5a@hotmail.co.uk.

This lecture is about the works of art that have sold for over $100 million.  We will see some wonderful paintings all held together by the common thread of their extraordinary commercial value.  We will also look at the stories behind the works and  Ian will try to answer the question, “Are they really worth hundreds of millions of pounds?”

On coming to the throne George IV instinctively understood the majesty and splendour appropriate to the monarch of the richest and most powerful country in the world. This lecture traces his developing taste as Prince of Wales, Regent and King and examines connections between his royal residences as well as his spectacular legacy to the Royal Collection – the greatest by any monarch since Charles I.  There will be plenty of gold, jewels and paintings appropriate to a Christmas Lecture

The bed has been the site of multiple encounters in art from Titian’s stunning mythologies through Manet’s Olympia, Picasso’s nudes, and the abject of Tracey Emin’s infamous ‘My Bed’. But if the bed has been linked to passion, it has also been linked to death and this lecture explores its manifestations in the art of Caravaggio, Munch, Klimt, and others.

(Image copyright R Mendham)

Murder, poison, corruption and incest: all perfect ingredients for sensational popular culture. But in an age known for its brutality and church corruption were the Borgias really so bad? This lecture reveals the real family that dominated the Papacy and Italian politics during the last decade of the 15th century: the charismatic figure of Pope Alexander VI, living inside his sumptuously decorated apartments, the career of his son, Cesare, cardinal, general, employer of Da Vinci and the model for Machiavelli’s The Prince, and the journey of Lucrezia Borgia from “the greatest whore in Rome” to a devout and treasured duchess of the city Ferrara. Sometimes truth is more intoxicating than myth.

For half a century, from the 1870s to the 1920s, women around the world were in thrall to feathered fashion. Not just feathers, but wings and whole birds – often several birds at a time – were de rigeur on top of hats. The cost to the birds was high. The exploitation of female labour was troubling. Whose fingers put together those voluptuous hats? Who dyed the feathers? Who profited from the sales?

Sarah calls this lecture her  ‘calling card’. The lecture is of general interest and moves from the 17th and 18th century preoccupations with princely patronage, classical plots, courtly manners, high voices, enormous costumes and happy endings – through the gear change of the war and revolution to the 19th century concerns of nationalism, epic themes and doomed heroines

Deborah Devonshire was the youngest of the Mitford sisters and wife of the 11th Duke of Devonshire.   In partnership with her husband, she imbued Chatsworth House in Derbyshire with a spirit, elegance and sense of welcome that transformed it from being the worn-out survivor of decades of taxation, war and social change into one of the best-loved, most-emulated and popular historic houses, gardens and estates in the country.

This will be a ZOOM talk - click here to Register for the talk

We will be holding an informal Quiz Night on 10 June using Zoom.   All of the rounds will be related to Arts subjects and will include:  a Picture Round, Geography, Films, Music  and others. 

No prizes, but the opportunity to test out your Arts knowledge in a lovely informal quiz.

Details of how to join will be distributed at the begning of June.

Our first 'virtual talk' using Zoom.

Photographs have the ability to stop time, to provide a freeze-frame of a moment in time and space. They give the observer the opportunity to think, to react, to feel and soak in the details of the circumstances surrounding the image.

This talk examines some the most important images and photographers of the past century.

It explores why these images are so powerful and influential in our understanding of history.

DUE TO CORONAVIRUS - RESCHEDULED TO 12 MAY 2021

Recent turmoil in much of the Near East and North Africa means that many of the most impressive sites in the Roman Empire can no longer be visited.  This lecture will provide an outline of Roman activity in the region, focussing on cities which have been largely destroyed, sites which have been heavily looted and places which are now too dangerous to visit. 

DUE TO CORONAVIRUS - RESCHEDULED TO 10 MARCH 2021

Gold in South America had a spiritual importance and in Peru and Colombia goldsmiths made some of the most spectacular treasures of the ancient world.  Europeans, by contrast, saw gold as a commodity: the ultimate symbol of wealth and so, for decades, they searched in vain for the kingdom of El Dorado. 

This talk will examine some of the magnificent works of art are preserved in the museums of Peru and Colombia.

This year is the 150th Anniversary of the death of Charles Dickens.  This talk explores artists’ interpretations of some of Dickens’ most popular characters, in paintings as well as the original book illustrations. It also looks at portraits of Dickens himself over the years and how images of him changed as he became an increasingly important and respected figure.

2020 is the 500th anniversary of Raphael’s death. He is often referred to as one of the three giants of the High Renaissance in Italy, alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci. His career was short-lived as he died tragically young, aged 37. Yet in this relatively short space of time Raphael managed to move from humble initial commissions in Umbria to the coveted position of one of the leading artists at the court of the most important patron in Italy, Pope Julius II, for whom he created some of the most sublime and influential frescoes of the early 16th century. We explore how Raphael achieved this extraordinary rise in status, tracing the development of early works and influences to the masterpieces created in Rome.

Although Lalique is best known for his Art Deco glass of the inter-war years, his career began in the early 1890s as the designer of the finest Art Nouveau jewellery. He preferred opals and aquamarines to flashy diamonds and his jewels were about design and craftsmanship rather than vulgar ostentation. As his fame spread his style was copied and debased until Lalique felt that he had exhausted the potential of jewellery. Around 1907 he created the first customised perfume bottle. The public loved the idea and a craze began. Soon Lalique was designing for famous perfumers. After the war Lalique extended production into decorative vases, tableware, lamps and even architectural glass. His glass is regarded as some of the finest ever created. 

Primarily an exploration of the music chosen by ballet choreographers through the years, proving that the right piece with the right moves and design can create modern masterpieces and timeless classics.  We transition through the grandness of Imperial Russia with Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty into the current modern repertoire of The Royal Ballet. The talk includes historical and recent video clips.

Nigel Bates is currently Music Administrator for The Royal Ballet

This talk looks at ordinary working people: skilled and unskilled workers in both urban and agricultural environments, craftsmen, artisans, shopkeepers, domestic servants, entertainers, prostitutes, beggars, paupers, slaves. Throughout the history of western art, they have always been there: for centuries as mute observers, background detail or comic relief. But as the world changes, art changes, and this talk will discuss the move of low-life subject matter from the despised and vulgar fringes of popular taste into the respectable mainstream; and out again into political radicalism and avant-garde edginess. 

The talk adopts a chronological approach to discuss aspects of the brilliant Islamic visual culture that was produced in Spain. We start by considering the results of Umayyad rule in Cordoba - including the building of the Mezquita - the Great Mosque. We continue by tracing the subsequent history of Muslim culture in Spain and examine Hispano-Islamic ceramics, ivories and other artistic forms. We conclude by considering Muslim art and architecture during the Reconquista including the building of the Alhambra in Granada. 

Modern art is often considered difficult, but it is much less so when seen through the eyes of some of the greatest cartoonists of the last one hundred and fifty years, who provide a humorous and sceptical but instructive guide to modern art. Some artists welcomed their attention, feeling that any publicity is good, while others were hurt by what they took to be an attack on their integrity. The cartoonists could be funny, cruel and at times extremely perceptive, and they also remind us of how now famous artists were first regarded. This is a funny, revealing and sidelong view of 150 years of modern art. 

This story has a plot worthy of Agatha Christie and its cast includes the author herself, along with Walter Gropius, refugees from the German Bauhaus, Henry Moore and many intellectuals and civil servants. The setting is The Lawn Road Flats, a startling modernist block in N.W. London, both bohemian and sinister. It was also home to a nest of Soviet spies. This is the story of a ground-breaking building, now Grade I listed, and of the rich and complex lives of its residents.

The talk discussed themes from the worlds of art, society and the English Court in the l840's and 50's, as seen through the eyes of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert; Lady Lyttelton, the Royal governess; and some favourite Royal  artists. The Queen and Prince Albert were keen to promote English artists. They made friends with Edwin Landseer, who charmed them with portraits of royal children and dogs, and with his ability to draw two different things at the same time with different hands. Another artist friend, Franz Xavier Winterhalter, painted the Queen without sentimentality, to her satisfaction. This lecture also touches on Prince Albert, the builder Thomas Cubitt and Osborne House; and on the national craze for everything medieval, in which the royal couple shared. 

Tapestries were the ultimate artistic expense in the medieval period.   This lecture will look at some of the key sets of tapestries in Europe including the Lady and the Unicorn (see picture), those commissioned by the Dukes of Burgundy in the 15th century, Rafael’s designs for Pope Leo X, Henry VIII’s Abraham tapestries and on to the 21st century set commissioned by the Queen of Denmark. We will explore the designs and the craft of tapestry and why it has been the most expensive form of artistic expression until recent times. Dr Susan Kay Williams is Chief Executive of the Royal School of Needlework at Hampton Court.

The fears and anxieties of Vienna the final years before the Great War found expression in the works of Freud and Mahler and in the haunting paintings of Klimt, Kokoschka and Schiele. Shimmering portraits flecked with gold; hypnotic landscapes of vibrant brushstrokes; erotic dreams of decadence and death reveal a society in search for salvation at a time when mankind had lost faith in its future. It was the 100th anniversary of Klimt’s death in 2018. The lecture traces the course of this brief but always dazzlingly inventive period of art.

A passage in the Bible's Book of Kings has immortalised the Queen of Sheba and the journey she made, her camel caravan laden with gold and incense as gifts for the king of Jerusalem. In this talk Louise looks at how the Queen of Sheba has captured the imagination of great artists, inspired epic films and has led archaeologists to go in search of her land – a search that has led to discoveries of great temples, tombs and treasures in both Yemen and Ethiopia.

Louise is an archaeologist, who has been involved in several expeditions to Ethiopia.

Years of working as an artist within the Criminal Justice System in England and Germany have given Angela unique insights into the destructive and costly cycle of crime, prisons and re-offending. In this thought-provoking talk she offers a deeper understanding of the minds, lives and challenges of offenders. And, with extraordinary slides of art projects and prisoner’s art, she demonstrates how within the process of creating art of any discipline, there are vital opportunities for offenders to confront their crimes and develop the key life skills so essential in leading a positive and productive life. This talk is moving, informative and very original.

From the ‘Little Black Dress’ created by Chanel to the ‘Chain Mail’ fabrics of Mary Quant and the colour explosions of Versace, fashion has had an exciting journey through the twentieth century. Throughout this lecture we will discover how jewellery design incorporated the delicacy of the Edwardian period, the dramatic contrasts of the Deco period, and the sculptural creations of the 1930s, the cocktail style of the 40s and 50s, the ‘new age’ influence of the 60s and 70s, and the ‘bling’ culture of the 80s to produce a truly unforgettable period of jewellery design.

Susan Rumfitt is a jewellery expert from the BBC’s Antique Road Show

The Christmas tree is arguably the most iconic aspect of our midwinter celebrations, yet how much do we actually know about its origins and history.  Music performed includes: Adam lay ybounden, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree - Elizabeth Postern, O Tannenbaum, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Holy Night - Adolphe Adam.

Marc Allum, a BBC Antiques Roadshow Expert, discusses the influence of antiquity on collectors, fashion and the foundation of our major museums, illustrated with an enlightening trip through the world of collecting Grand Tour souvenirs.

This lecture focuses on the costume and dress accessories that would have been worn for formal occasions or informally, at the Imperial Court during the Quing Dynasty (1644-1911).  David will bring costumes for display.

Rock, Bark, Ochre: the story of Aboriginal art in the culturally distinct communities of the north of Australia; an extraordinary story of continuous artistic endeavour from rock-paintings dating back 50,000 years, to modern work done on bark in natural ochres.

On the basis of sensational new evidence from archaeological fieldwork, Neil will contrast the legend of Lawrence of Arabia with the true story of what happened in the famous desert war of 1916-1918.

Heatherwick’s work received world-wide coverage in 2012 when with his studio team he designed the Olympic Cauldron at the London Olympics. The giant ring of fire rising up from the centre of the Olympic Stadium was a memorable sight, and in the lecture we’ll look at how they achieved that spectacular moment. The Heatherwick Studio also designed the new red London bus, the first re-design of such an iconic symbol of London for 50 years. Heatherwick’s innovative approach is now in demand all over the world, and the lecture will highlight the broad range of his designs.

We welcome back Anthea Streeter who lectured to us on The History of The Skyscraper in January 2104. Her special interest is in the architecture and design of the 20th century. Earlier this year she was chosen to talk at the first meeting of the Arts Society.                           

Why were foreign painters preferred by the aristocracy in London to native-born English painters? Why did foreigners come in the first place and what was their motivation? The lecture will look at the various formats and uses of art, tracing foreign artists from the Tudor period through to the Renaissance and Baroque periods. It will examine the contributions of artists such as Holbein, Gerrit van Honthorst, Marcus Gheeraerts the younger, Lucas and Susanna Horenbout, Isaac Oliver, Paulus van Somer, van Dyck, Peter Lely, and Rubens. It will look at how these artists influenced the British School of painting and assess their legacy.

Leslie Primo gives lectures and guided tours, plus special talks, at both the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. He also lectures extensively elsewhere.

The antique bronze sculptures from the West African kingdom of Benin astounded critics when they were first seen in Europe in the late 1890s. They could hardly believe that such technically accomplished sculptures were created by African artists. The superb workmanship and outstanding aesthetic quality of Benin’s royal sculptures rivals the very best work of the Italian Renaissance. This lecture explains the sophisticated production processes, the symbolism and ritual use of the bronzes, as well as investigating the response of avant-garde artists of the early 20th century. One of the richest collections of the Benin bronzes is in the British Museum; the lecture will consider if the bronzes should be returned to Benin.  

Claire Walsh previously worked at the V&A and now lectures for the Open University and others.

In artistic terms, the Basilica of San Francesco in Assisi is the most important medieval church in Italy. Every inch of its walls and vaults are covered in frescoes by great masters from Rome, Florence and Siena. This lecture explains how the Franciscans at Assisi designed the content of the St. Francis cycle, and its arrangement, not only to proclaim St. Francis as the greatest of saints and to act as a mission statement for the Franciscan Order, but also to honour their papal patron. The sanctuary of the Lower Church was repainted in the early fourteenth century by Giotto and Pietro Lorenzetti.

Dr Janet Robson is an art historian. She has over a decade of lecturing experience.  She has published extensively on thirteenth and fourteenth-century Italian art. The lecture draws on her book 'The Making of Assisi: the Pope, the Franciscans and the Painting of the Basilica'.

From the early Kosovan silver mines which are mentioned in Dante, through the 20th twentieth century politics over Kosovo’s mines which resulted in a war and a golf course, a silver thread winds through Kosovo’s history. Its most intricate tanglings are in the country’s cultural capital, Prizren, where a seventh generation of filigree artisans use ‘filum’ and ‘granum’, zigzags, ‘mouse-tooth’ designs and other twists and makes magic lacy creations from dull sticks of raw material. The results – in boxes, buttons, jewellery, religious ornamentation and the talismans of superstition – are a fine narrative of Kosovo’s history and traditions.  

Elizabeth Gowing moved to Kosovo in 2006 and is the author of four books about Kosovo – Travels in Blood and Honey; Becoming a beekeeper in Kosovo (2011), Edith and I; on the trail of an Edwardian traveller in Kosovo (2013) The Rubbish-Picker’s Wife; an unlikely friendship in Kosovo (2015) and the Silver Thread: a journey through Balkan craftsmanship (2017).

Widely known for his appearances dressed as his feminine alter ego, Claire, Grayson Perry RA is now a core part of the art establishment. A Turner Prize winner and one of Britain’s best known contemporary artists, he gave the brilliant BBC Reith Lecture about the art market in 2013. His works of ceramics, textiles, tapestries and prints are highly sought after. Often controversial, he is able to tackle difficult subjects in a poignant yet witty way. This talk will examine Grayson Perry’s work, his exciting and thought-provoking exhibitions, and we’ll look at the character inside the flamboyant frocks.

Ian Swankie is a Londoner with a passion for art and architecture. He is an official guide at the Tate and the Guildhall Art Gallery. 

The Arts Society 50th anniversary event at The Leatherhead Theatre
2 pm Sunday, 7 January 2018.

"Loving Vincent" - The recently released film about the life of Vincent van Gogh.  Preceded by a talk by Lecturer Evaline Eaton.

Tea and cake will be served in the interval, cost included.

The cost is £15, and all proceeds will go to the Theatre.

Norman Rockwell was the most beloved American illustrator of the 20th century. He was most at home portraying the ideal family Christmas, often with direct connections to Dickens and the English Yuletide Tradition. A bounty of Christmas posters, magazine covers, cards and even Norman Rockwell Christmas gifts will keep you entertained throughout. Your American-born lecturer shares his own experiences of the ideal American Christmas from sleigh rides and ice-skating in the woods to trimming the tree and wondering how Santa got down the chimney. Light and lively Christmas fair! 

 Charles Harris spent his career in advertising and was responsible for campaigns for many of the world's great brands.

Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is the most isolated piece of permanently inhabited land on the planet, and yet it produces a most extraordinary Stone Age culture: hundreds of sophisticated coastal stone platforms, more than a thousand enormous stone statues, the richest rock art in the Pacific and a unique writing system.  This talk will provide an introduction to the history of the discovery of this culture; to its principal features; and to what archaeology, oral traditions and, more recent evidence have combined to teach us about the island's cultural rise and decline, its environmental crisis and the lessons all this can teach us about how we look after the Earth as a whole.     

Why was the best paper made from the worn out clothes of peasants? Why did leather have to be tanned outside the city walls? Why is gold leaf so thin that it is measured in atoms and cannot be touched with the hands? Why do printers have to do everything upside down and backwards? Why did gold finishers get paid more than other bookbinders despite not washing their hair? And why is the art of bookbinding itself, surely the most complex of all hand crafts, as beguiling and enchanting today as it was when it was invented on the banks of the Nile 2,000 years ago. This lecture is a ‘Through the Round Window’ for grown-ups, and tells the fascinating story of everything that makes a traditional hand bound book.

What did it feel like to be a woman living in Paris from 1939 - 1949? This is a story about women’s lives during the dark years of Nazi occupation and beyond. They include British and American women caught in Paris, as well as native born resisters who were eventually sent to camps. Even at the darkest moments of the Occupation, with the Swastika flying from the Eiffel Tower and pet dogs howling on the streets, glamour was ever present. French women wore lipstick. Why? The lecture opens with a magnificent surrealist circus ball at Versailles: many could not believe that war was imminent. It ends with Dior’s lavish new look in 1947 and his perfume, Miss Dior, named after his sister, Catherine, who only just survived a prison camp.

Anne Sebba is a biographer, historian and author of many books (including “Les Parisiennes” and “That woman, a life of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor”)

Welcomed with open arms for their luxury skills, the Huguenots’ fortunes fluctuated wildly. The lecture will be about their early 18th century houses that still stand, how they were decorated and lived in and the fashionable patterned silk dresses—who designed and made them. Mantua dresses allowed the silk designs to be shown to their full advantage and Spitalfield silks became extremely popular. Finally, the trade died out with some weavers literally dying in poverty at their looms.

Mrs Sue Jackson BA (Hons) worked originally in art and design publishing. As well as lecturing she is a qualified Blue Badge Guide and has published work on the lost world of the Fleet River.

In the early evening of 16 October 1834, to the horror of bystanders, a huge ball of fire exploded through the roof of the Houses of Parliament, creating a blaze so enormous that it could be seen by the King and Queen at Windsor. In front of hundreds of thousands of witnesses, the great conflagration destroyed Parliament's glorious old buildings and their contents. No one who witnessed the disaster would ever forget it.  Based on the acclaimed book of the same name, this talk takes the audience through the gripping hour-by-hour story of the fire through contemporary depictions of the disaster by Turner, William Heath and others.

Dr Caroline Shenton is an archivist, historian and writer. She was formerly Director of the Parliamentary Archives and hence an expert in Parliament. 

Your Country Needs You, Careless Talk Costs Lives, Alexander Korda Presents, Pears Bubbles Soap, the Guinness Toucan, the Bisto Kids and many more. The British poster has informed, entertained and instructed us ever since Toulouse-Lautrec and the arrival of the colour poster showed what was possible.

 Andrew Davies will give us his usual lively commentary. We will savour this colourful, vibrant and often overlooked art form which reveals just how we lived, worked and played over the last 100 years. 

Camouflaging of ships in wartime was invented in WW1 by the artist Norman Wilkinson, and perfected in the Royal Academy Schools. That’s a story in itself. But it was a professional conjuror who accomplished astonishing things against Rommel in Africa. One of his tasks was to hide the port of Alexandria from aerial attack: and he succeeded. But his greatest challenge was the first one he was given. “The Suez Canal is over 100 miles long and 200 yards wide. We want you to hide it.”  And in fact, throughout the War, not one German bomb was dropped on the Canal, because the Luftwaffe simply couldn’t see it!  How did the conjuror manage this?  My talk will reveal the answer!

A Subversive symbol from Commedia Del’’Arte to the Present Day.

Mr Punch – the most famous puppet character of all time. His comic irreverence gave “Punch” magazine its title. His anarchic vitality has inspired opera, ballet and punk rock and his enduring popularity has seen his likeness on goods ranging from Victorian silverware to computer video games. Appearing in England in 1662, Punch is descended from the Italian Clown Pulcinella of the 15th C. Commedia Del'Arte tradition. Even today This Lord of Misrule uses his slapstick to dispense with oppressive authority, be it politicians, political correctness or the devil, while proclaiming his notorious refrain; "That's the way to do it!”

In this lively presentation John shares his knowledge and enthusiasm for wine and the contribution that ‘wine art’ makes to our colourful world. Wine can be a civilising influence upon us and it is made to be shared and enjoyed. As a consequence there are numerous wonderful paintings of wine being made and wine being drunk in celebration but it also lends itself to wicked cartoons and striking posters. In addition we shall examine wine labels from around the world which now display such style and creativity.

Antonio Vivaldi - the last of the great Venetian composers - was born on a day in 1678 when a tremendous earthquake shook the lagoon city to its core.

Perhaps this was symbolic, since Vivaldi's compositions were in turn to shake the world of music. In fact, they shook the world of music so dramatically that no late Baroque composer (including Bach and Handel) could remain unaffected by their force and originality.

Against the luxurious backdrop of 18th century Venice, and with live musical performances, Peter Medhurst explores the amazing world of Vivaldi’s music - music that is as intrinsically Venetian as the canvasses of Canaletto.

This lecture includes a brief account of the geography, the historical sources, the language and religion of the Khmers and traces the development of the empire from small Indianised states in the 6th c. to the establishment of their capital in the Angkor region in 802 and on to its demise after the middle of the 13thc. I will show how their sculpture and architecture evolved during this time. There are hundreds of temples and other structures at Angkor, three of the most significant will be discussed in more detail, Banteay Srei (967), Angkor Wat (early 12th.c) and The Bayon (early 13th c.) with brief mention of some others for their sculptural or architectural interest.

Would you pay money to see a man climb inside a bottle? People in 1749 did when a newspaper advertisement claimed that a conjurer would do just that. A riot broke out at the theatre when the spectators discovered they had been duped; but the Bottle Conjurer Hoax inspired satirical prints through to the 19th century, long after the incident itself was forgotten. Graphic artists, such as James Gillray and George Cruikshank, associated the Bottle Conjurer Hoax with Napoleon Bonaparte and the infamous trial of Queen Caroline for adultery by George IV in 1820. However William Hogarth’s own take on it proved so controversial that the intended print, from his seemingly innocuous painting, was not produced until 35 years after his death.

Mark Hill regularly appears on the BBC Antiques Roadshow and has co-presented three other primetime television series on antiques for BBC2. He is a very experienced and popular lecturer, who has also written a number of books. We are very fortunate that he has agreed to come to the Leatherhead Decorative and Fine Arts Society (LeDFAS) to tell us about Czech glass. He will be returning to his roots he went to school in East Horsley and Guildford.
The 1950s-1970s saw a renaissance in Czech glass design that re-established the Bohemian regions global reputation in this area. From behind the Iron Curtain, skilled designers pushed the boundaries of 20th century glass design and produced unique art glass masterpieces that went on to inspire visually stunning, highly innovative and commercial ranges. Despite this, the designers responsible were rarely named. Until today, the designs they produced have been typically forgotten or misattributed. 
This lecture reveals the work of seven influential designers across cut, blown and pressed glass, and considers the economic and political context that affected it.
Visitors are welcome, for £5 at the door: please contact info@ledfas.org.uk or John Andrews on 01372 373083.

Hieronymus Bosch’s (c.1455-1516) nightmarish monsters and demons, his bizarre allegories, and the amorous exploits in his Garden of Earthly Delights
have intrigued viewers for centuries. Little is known about this remarkable painter, although it has been claimed that he was a member of a heretical sect, a dabbler in alchemy and even a drug-user! This lecture unravels the meanings of Bosch’s enigmatic paintings in the context of his own time, explaining them in terms of social satire, medieval folklore and pre-Reformation spirituality, while also revealing the beauty and inventiveness of his images.

Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor are amongst the most well known sculptors working in Britain today and have both had major commissions for public works of art.  With a range of inspirations and motifs, the work of these two artists provides an interesting insight into contemporary views and preoccupations in Britain.  This lecture will look at examples of both artists’ work, exploring both the common ground between them, and the differences in style, technique and themes.

This lecture tells the story of the outstanding artistry and craftsmanship that rescued key examples of our architectural heritage. We open with an account of how the great dome of St Paul’s Cathedral was found to be close to collapse in the 1920s, and how its restoration inspired one of the most extraordinary drawings ever produced of a British building. Other examples include the rescue, after fire, of key areas of Castle Howard, the setting for Brideshead Revisited, and the inspired reconstruction of one of London’s most exquisite medieval churches in 2002.

This is a topic of particular local interest, given the National Trust’s problem of how to restore Clandon Park after last year’s fire: its 'biggest project in a generation'

2016 will mark the 200th anniversary of the purchase of the so-called 'Elgin Marbles' from Thomas Bruce, the 7th Earl of Elgin, by the British Parliament. In the two centuries since they were removed from the Parthenon by Lord Elgin, the meaning and significance of the ‘Elgin marbles’ has changed dramatically. From architectural decoration to disputed cultural objects this lecture looks at the response to them over their time in Britain, from the original controversy over their purchase in 1816 to the current debate surrounding any possible restitution of the marbles to the new Acropolis Museum in Athens.

The Shakers are not well known outside the United States, or at best we may recognise them through the current fashion for Shaker style kitchens and furniture.  In North America however, there is tremendous interest in all things Shaker.  In the last twenty years several museums have been established on the former sites of Shaker settlements and each of these receives thousands of inquisitive visitors every year.  When genuine examples of Shaker furniture come to auction they fetch prices far in excess of fine European examples of a similar period.  If examined more closely this furniture is rather plain or even austere so what is the attraction and why is it so popular and so highly valued? 

The Shakers or Shaking Quakers as they were derisively called, were a small group of religious dissidents that grew out of Quakerism and had their origins in mid-eighteenth century England but they are much better known as a successful nineteenth century North American fundamentalist sect. 

They established themselves initially in the north eastern states in agrarian communities as they attempted to build Utopia, or as they saw it their Heaven on earth.  By the middle of the nineteenth century there were some 6000 Shakers living in twenty communities spread across ten states, today they have all but disappeared but their influence has not.  

In this engaging talk John tells the extraordinary story of the Shakers, exploring their beginnings, what they believed and how they lived their lives before examining examples of their wonderful buildings and furniture.  For it is only with such an understanding of their devout faith and way of life that we can begin to appreciate the beauty of their intriguing legacy.

As a costume designer, Anna Buruma was fortunate enough to be involved in several rather special period productions ranging from one set in 15th century France to one set in 1930s Hollywood. She will talk about helping to make these productions work, showing both the problems and the fun this involved.

This lecture replaced the The Whole Art of the Book by Dominic Riley which was cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

The Drama behind the Taj Mahal: The Life and Times of the Indian Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan

The lecture is based on the Islamic manuscript, the Padshahnama (chronicle of the King of the World) which is the unique official history of the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jahan, who ruled India from 1628 to 1658. He is best remembered for the building of the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his favourite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The Padshahnama is illustrated with 44 of the finest Mughal paintings in the world. They vividly depict the very dramatic events in the Emperor's reign and the years before it. Most of the important individuals in Shah Jahan's court can be identified and the paintings tell the remarkable story of the intrigues of court life as well as the Emperor's Coronation, royal weddings, bloody battles and hunting scenes. The book is the finest Islamic manuscript in the Royal Library at Windsor Castle and was given to King George III in 1797 by the ruler of the north Indian state of Oudh.

The Secret Language of Sacred Spaces: religious architecture of the world
From Chartres cathedral to Angkor Wat, religion has been the inspiration for many of the greatest buildings of the world. Indeed, for much of human history, the story of architecture and the story of faith were synonymous.

This lecture explains the architecture of each of the major faith traditions, revealing how it is shaped by their rituals and beliefs. It briefly covers the sacred architecture of such early societies as Mesopotamia, Egypt and the Americas before focusing on the living faiths: the great continuities embodied in the sacred architecture of Buddhism and Hinduism, and the revolutionary changes brought about in monotheistic Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It thus brings fresh insights into some of the most remarkable buildings on the planet.

The aim is to leave the audience understanding why and how (for example) a mosque is different from a synagogue or a church (and how they interrelate), as well as having a ‘big picture’ overview of what is happening where and when in the sacred buildings of planet earth.

Russian Christmas Where better to spend yuletide in pre-revolutionary times than in snowy Russia? Imagine yourself on Christmas Day wrapped in furs, sitting in your troika, bells ringing, on your way to church to celebrate the end of the 40 day fast, which ends as soon as the first evening star appears in the sky. This lecture explores the rich tradition of religious and folk customs associated with the Christmas period in Russia, and shows how they are reflected in the Russian arts, with musical illustrations. It also discusses the secular Christmas celebrations introduced to Russia by Peter the Great, how they were transformed by Stalin during Soviet times, and what Christmas means to Russians today.

This lecture looks at the life and work of Paula Rego, who is a British artist of Portuguese origin best known for her depictions of folk tales and strikingly unusual images of women.

A non-technical and not-too-serious account of this masterpiece, its characters and story, with musical illustrations on the piano, focussing on the composer's ability to express character and mood through music and with a brief look at the circumstances and context of its composition.

Should we accept that the very best photographs can be regarded as Fine Art? This question is at the heart of a lecture which argues that photography can equal, not to say exceed, more traditional disciplines in the key genres of portaiture, landscape and still life. Photography, moreover, has carved its own area of excellence in depicting the human condition. All these ideas are discussed with reference to the work of some of the acknowledged masters of photography, including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Fay Godwin, Bill Brandt, Ansel Adams and Wolfgang Tillmans.

Henry Moore’s (1898-1986) life and career spanned most of the twentieth century and his work is celebrated internationally. This lecture will explain the reasons for Moore’s “infamous holes” and set his sculpture into the context of his time. The British Museum and Picasso provided his early inspiration before Moore arrived – in both, his drawings and his sculpture – at his own distinctive style with his key-theme of the human figure.

Ethiopia stands astride the Rift Valley. It has 20 peaks over 4,000 metres, some of which drain into Lake Tana, the source of the Blue Nile. The Queen of Sheba (c.1000 BC) ruled here and reputedly her liaison with King Solomon founded the dynasty of the Lion of Judah. We visit Axum (claimed as the repository of the Ark of the Covenant of Moses) with its huge steles. Ethiopia has one of the earliest continuous Christian communities (established c.340 AD). Lalibela (13th century) has its astonishing rock-hewn churches. Consideration of Islamic Harar (16th century) and Gonder (17th century) with its great castles brings us to Addis Ababa (19th century), the place of the Coronation of the Emperor Haile Selassie in 1930. Edward Gibbon wrote “Encompassed on all sides by the enemies of their religion, the Aethiopians slept near a 1000 years, forgetful of the world by whom they were forgotten”. Ethiopia now amply repays examination

While Lutyens’ work in Britain is well known, especially his country houses, his work abroad is not. This ranged from a private house in France, to a stunning series of War Memorials there, to the British School at Rome, and of course the creation of buildings for the capital of India at New Delhi. This lecture examines these works abroad and looks at how the commissions came about, how Lutyens’ office managed each project, and how they relate to the local historical context. examines these works abroad and looks at how the commissions came about, how Lutyens’ office managed each project, and how they relate to the local historical context.

Inns and public houses are a rich part of Britain’s heritage. Their signs provide us with an abundantly illustrated guide to both our history and our cultural heritage. Currently there are about 50,000 pubs in the UK with an extraordinary 17,000 different names but why are there so many pubs called the ‘Red Lion’, the ‘Crown’ or ‘White Hart’? In this colourful and entertaining lecture John shows some of the most interesting and distinctive signs and explores the fascinating stories behind the origins of some of their peculiar names. Who could fail to be intrigued by the stories behind the ‘Bucket of Blood’, the ‘Blazing Donkey’, the ‘Cow and Snuffers’ or even the ‘Eager Poet’ - and who on earth was ‘Blind Jack’. So let me enlighten - and introduce you and your members to some of the highlights of one of the biggest and most diverse art galleries in the country! Pub signs are functional art, they may not be ‘fine art’ but unquestionably they are art and invariably decorative! Very sadly, it must be obvious to even the most casual observer that we are losing our pubs at an alarming rate. According to a recent article in the Daily Telegraph we are losing 12 pubs a week - that’s over 600 a year and a significant part of our cultural heritage and landscape.

Since the Renaissance, artists have been known by their names and their work has been understood in relation to their personalities, such as: Leonardo da Vinci the genius and Caravaggio the violent brawler. Today one of the most famous artists in the world has a name but no face or identity – no one knows who Banksy really is!

This lecture will explore the genre of ‘Street Art’ and the career of the famous artist Banksy. It will consider how Banksy began in the underground street art scene of Bristol to how the artist became an international household name. It will consider the sources that influence Banksy’s satirical art and even postulate theories on who the artist might be.

The exploration of Banksy and Street Art will be set in the context of an introduction to modern and contemporary art. Starting with the birth of conceptual art in the early 20th century, members will be guided through the art movements of the past 120 years. The lecture will look at key artists such as Marcel Duchamp and Jackson Pollock as well as major movements such post modernism and street art. It will look at key influences including global history and politics that have shaped the face of art today.  

Towards the end of the third century AD, on a hillside above a river in Hertfordshire, a man called Alban was killed for his faith. This lecture tells the fascinating story of St Alban’s Abbey and explores the art and architecture of this magnificent and vivacious building through the ages

Sarah performs, writes and lectures in the UK and abroad as a musician and scholar, having been a graduate and prize-winner from the Royal Academy of Music. Has appeared on national radio and television in UK and America, lectured for National Trust, English Heritage, U3A, schools and colleges and onboard the QE2.

Using illustrations from illuminated manuscripts, readings from literature and contemporary accounts, and the haunting songs and lively dance tunes of medieval England, Sarah brings alive the spirit of a Medieval Christmas, a time of joy and celebration for some, but hardship and suffering for others. With extracts from literature and manorial household accounts, she pieces together life in a medieval manor house at Yuletide. In addition to her reproduction medieval harps, she adds the plucked psaltery, hurdy-gurdy, hammered dulcimer, and gemshorn to the musical mix, performing carols, music and readings for an atmospheric and musical seasonal celebration.

Brian has been a dealer and consultant in antique oriental rugs and carpets since 1979 after his return from Iran. He is the author of 'Tribal Rugs - Treasures of the Black Tent' which was originally published in 1997 and was re-printed in April 2010. Brian is one of few western dealers to have lived and worked among tribal groups in remote areas of Iran and Afghanistan during the 1970s and then again, after the Iranian Revolution, in the 1990s. In 1990 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society for his work amongst the Persian tribes. He has lectured for NADFAS since 1986.

The art of beating gold leaf and gilding dates back to ancient Egypt. Gold leaf is nearly 500 times thinner than aluminium foil and traditionally craftsmen pounded gold for hours to create sheets thin enough to cover the most finely detailed surfaces. For over 22 centuries from Tutankhamun’s sarcophagus to Rachel Whiteread’s gilded frieze for the Whitechapel Gallery, skilled artisans have exploited paper-thin metal leaf to enrich materials such as wood, metal, marble, leather, paper, glass, porcelain and textiles – even food and drink. Artists and craftsmen have illuminated manuscripts and icons, decorated noble houses from top to bottom, adorned domes inside and out, embellished erotic canvases and gilded chocolate and schnapps. Gold leaf continues to be used as the ultimate faux decoration and dazzling ornamentation.

From the Renaissance until the late 19th century, art and science existed as one culture. Artists were scientists and scientists were artists. What did they produce? How did this approach work? What can we learn from them? Drawing on examples from 600 years of art history, including the work of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Hans Holbein, Rembrandt, Joseph Wright of Derby, and William Morris, and also covering modern art movements such as Cubism, this lecture offers a new perspective on how the history of art can illuminate aspects of science. This lecture is jointly delivered by Sally Hoban from NADFAS and Jon Wood, a professional scientist, lecturer and science communicator.

Edmund Burke said that David Garrick “raised the whole character of his profession to a liberal art”. Through seven outstanding actors the world of the 18C and 19C theatre is re-created using their images in paintings, engravings and, later, photography. Garrick was friend and patron of Hogarth, Zoffany, Gainsborough and Reynolds. Reynolds painted Sarah Siddons as the Tragic Muse and Lawrence painted her and her brother John Philip Kemble. Thomas Beach has left a remarkable image of brother and sister as the Macbeths. Edmund Kean, a dissolute genius, comes to life through the brush and pen of George Clint and Samuel De Wilde whilst Ellen Terry’s beauty was captured in photography by Julia Margaret Cameron and on canvas by George Frederick Watts, her first husband, and John Singer Sargent. Henry Irving was knighted in 1895 thus achieving for the profession the status that Garrick had sought. Millais captured Irving’s dignity whilst Bastien-Lepage shows us the Bohemian player-manager.

This lecture describes the immense variety of the Norman, Gothic, Wren and post-Wren churches in the City of London. In addition to their architectural merit, these churches contain hidden treasures – the monuments, paintings and woodcarvings of great craftsmen of the time. The lecture also includes stories of the many people connected with the churches - medieval kings and queens, religious leaders, great statesmen and explorers, poets, playwrights and novelists, and modern film-stars and personalities.

It was once thought that art did not exist in any form until around 30,000 BC when the Cro-Magnons took over from the Neanderthals in the Palaeolithic period. However a carved and painted figurine found in Morocco in 1999 is now said to be at least 400,000 years old. Throughout this lecture we will look at some of the very earliest examples of art from across the pre-historic world. From carvings to cave paintings, the innate skills of our ‘uncivilised’ ancestors will amaze you.

Truly one of the most beautiful cities in the world, this is an overview into the most stunning monuments and sites found in Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. Kyoto not only has magnificent shrines, temples and gardens, but also is famous for its array of marvellous, colourful and seasonal festivals.

The history of the sundial outstrips that of the clock by at least two thousand years. The lecture examines how time has been told down the ages from the perspective of both the Sundial and its competitors. It compares what philosophers and poets thought about time. It looks at various aspects of the sundial as i) a teller of time, ii) a marker for religious observance, iii) a memento mori, iv) a vehicle for exquisite craftsmanship, v) a sign of elegance, sophistication and civic pride. The lecture is split into four time periods... a) Ancient to Medieval times: this was the period of ‘unequal hours’ (12 hours between dawn & dusk). Sundials were used as ‘event markers’, especially to tell the time of prayers, but most people used the length of their shadows in order to tell the time. b) The Islamic Flowering and the Renaissance: this was the period of ‘equal’ or ‘scientific’ hours. The Arabs introduced the means to tell time easily with hours of equal length. Clocks arrived but were hopelessly inaccurate. They were set using sundials. c) Enlightenment to the Industrial Revolution. The need for precise timekeeping by navigators introduced the age of ‘mean hours’. Clocks became accurate, but were still usually set using sundials that were corrected to give "mean time". d) Modern times. The age of ‘atomic hours’, when mechanical clocks and sundials had become things of interest rather than serious time keepers.

The lecture begins in 1880s with the earliest 'tall buildings' in Chicago and New York. We then look in detail at the distinct stylistic phases of skyscraper design during the 20th century: the Golden Age of 1920s when such iconic skyscrapers as the Chrysler Building in New York were built; the post-war sleek International Style, strongly influenced by European design; and the Second Golden Age of the late 1960s and early 1970s which marked the apex of American 20th century skyscraper design, when advanced technology enabled the Willis Tower in Chicago to be constructed with its record-breaking height of 442 metres.The story then moves to the countries of Asia Pacific, which have witnessed unprecedented economic growth in the last 20 years. Earthquakes and typhoons are an ever-present threat in the area and using Taipei 101 as an example we will examine how engineers deal with these problems. The lecture closes with the imaginative and breath-taking images of 21st century 'vertical cities'. Latest ideas include rotating skyscrapers powered by wind turbines, where each floor turns on a central axis, enabling residents to enjoy an ever-changing panorama, as seen in the Dynamic Tower project in Dubai.

The Adoration of the Magi was one of the most popular religious subjects for the great artists and we follow their work over nine centuries. The term 'Magi' refers to the Zoroastrian priest-sages, anonymous wise men who specialised in medicine, religion and astronomy. We investigate how they travelled from 'The East' - variously identified as any country from Arabia to Persia. Tradition has placed the number of Magi at three, relating to gold, frankincense, and myrrh, with Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar becoming universal symbols and representations.

The Library is primarily used by the Queen to show to her guests after dinner parties at Windsor Castle. This is because it is so full of a great range of fascinating objects associated with the history of Britain and the Royal family. The lecture gives a tour of the Library similar to that experienced by the Queen's guests. The Library is open to academic researchers but not to the general public. The lecture therefore constitutes a rare opportunity to see its rooms and treasures. These treasures include beautiful and rare books and manuscripts; books with personal royal associations; old master drawings (Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Holbein, Canaletto) and watercolours; jewellery; insignia of Orders of Chivalry; miniature paintings; clocks; fans; maps; the shirt in which Charles I was executed; and the Queen's description (when Princess Elizabeth, aged 11) of her father's Coronation in 1937.

Dutch artist and forger Han Van Meegeren committed the most lucrative, audacious art fraud of the 20th century. Today he is renowned as The Man Who Made Vermeers and duped a certain buyer, Reichmarschall Herman Göring. This lecture explores his extraordinary life, from a childhood passion for the 17th century painters of the Dutch Golden Age. His mixed fortune as an artist in his own right before developing a career as an art forger and criminal fraudster. It reveals how he slowly evolved the techniques to deceive the most authoritative art historians of the day He flourished just before and during the Second World War with a prodigious output of forged works eagerly purchased by wealthy Dutchmen. Despite the tumultuous conditions of that period he generated incredible wealth. Van Meegeren enjoyed an exotic lifestyle of wine, women and locations. The sale of his ‘Vermeer’, Christ with the Adulteress, in 1943 to Göring would ultimately lead to his downfall and arrest in 1945 as a collaborator, punishable by death. An incredible story of cunning, greed, treason, love and life.

Two hundred and fifty years after Antonio Stradivari’s death, his violins and cellos remain the most highly prized instruments in the world. Loved by great musicians and capable of fetching fabulous sums when sold, their tone and beauty are legendary. Every subsequent violin-maker has tried to match them. Not one has succeeded. How can that be? This lecture explores that central mystery by following some of Stradivari’s instruments from his workshop to the present day. It is a story that travels from the salons of Vienna to the concert halls of New York, and from the breakthroughs of Beethoven’s last quartets to the first phonographic recordings. Toby Faber’s book Stradivarius: Five violins, one cello and a genius, was described in The New York Times as ‘more enthralling, earthy and illuminating than any fiction could be.’ The lecture is illustrated with pictures of violins and of key individuals and locations, as well as with some short musical recordings.

One of the most derided towns in England, renowned for its dullness, Basingstoke is distinguished only by its numerous roundabouts and absurd Modernist architecture. Rupert explains that the post-war planners, who inflicted such features as ‘the Great Wall of Basingstoke’ on the town, were politically-motivated and bent on destroying all traces of its past. He reveals the nobler Basingstoke that is buried beneath the concrete, and the few historic gems that have survived the holocaust. Hilariously told, it is a story that neatly illustrates the ugliest episode in England’s architectural history. As Betjeman wrote prophetically, “What goes for Basingstoke goes for most English towns”.

The vibrant coloured jazzy designs of Clarice Cliff, reflect the character of this extraordinary woman, who began work at 13 and ended up marrying the boss. The superbly balanced and more delicately coloured work of Susie Cooper, often using the latest factory techniques, totally sums up the serious designer who continued to work into her 80s. The Ruskin Pottery, named after the great 19th century critic, specialized in outstanding high fired Chinese glazes which earned Howson Taylor a gold medal at the Paris 1925 Exhibition.

Claude Monet (1840-1926) was a founder of French-Impressionist painting, and the most consistent and prolific practitioner of its philosophy of expressing one's perceptions before nature, especially as applied to painting in the open air. The term Impressionism is derived from the title of his painting Impression, Sunrise. Cézanne said of him “Monet is only an eye, but what an eye!” In this talk, Eric Shanes will explore Monet’s life and creative development, looking at many of his loveliest masterpieces in the process.

As well as being a recognised expert in his chosen field, Eric Knowles is a well-known face in the world of antiques, particularly to viewers of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. He appears to be one of those rare individuals who is able to share his considerable knowledge in a way that is exciting and easy to understand. He was born in Nelson in 1953 and worked in both engineering and for a firm of antique shippers in the early 1970’s. His love of antiques, inherited from his parents, came to the fore in 1976, when he joined Bonham’s, the London auctioneers, working first as a porter in the ceramics’ department, before becoming head of the department in 1981

As a Classics Tutor for Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, Professor of History of Art for the European Studies Program of Rhodes College and The University of the South, and as a guest speaker on cruise ships, Dr Steve Kershaw has spent much of the last 30 years travelling extensively in the world of the Greeks and Romans both physically and intellectually. He has recently published A Brief Guide to the Greek Myths (Robinson, 2007) and A Brief Guide to Classical Civilization (Robinson, 2010) and is currently working on A Brief Guide to the Roman Empire.

Nigel retired from his post as Director of The State Apartments at Kensington Palace in April 2012, having worked initially at the palace as Curator of the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. Before that was Head of the Department of Art at the National Army Museum and Keeper of Military History at the Castle Museum York. Has lectured in this country and the USA and his most recent publications include the essay on uniforms for the West Europe volume of the Berg Encyclopaedia of World Dress. He was appointed LVO (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order) in 2008.

Barry Venning is author of books on Constable (1992) and Turner (2003). Graduating with an MA in the History of Art (Courtauld) he has been an Associate lecturer for the Open University since 1986, teaching advanced courses on Modern Art, Italian Renaissance and "Art and its Histories". Between 1982 and 1990 he was visiting lecturer at Kent University, whilst from 1987 until 1992 he was a part-time lecturer at the Chelsea College of Art. Since 1992 he has been a lecturer in Art History at Brooklands College for Further and Higher Education in Weybridge.

Frank Woodgate is an art historian and lecturer on modern art at the Tate Galleries in London

Linda Collins was employed at Hampton Court Palace for 22 years before becoming an independent lecturer. She regularly gives talks for NADFAS, both home and abroad and also for the National Trust, U3A and various UK universities. She is also a freelance lecturer at Tate Modern & the National Gallery.

Antony Penrose, is the son of Sir Roland Penrose. His talks focus on the artistic milieu of their home in Sussex, Farley Farm, where they mixed with such regular house guests as Picasso, Man Ray, Max Ernst and Joan Miro, - in effect, a Sussex melting pot of European surrealism and modernism -an extraordinary upbringing. Antony's own lecture venues include the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Getty Museum, National Portrait Gallery, Stedjlik in Amsterdam and Gallery of Photography in Dublin. He has published (and edited) several books about different aspects of his parents' lives and work.

Dr Anne Anderson is a former Senior Lecturer at Southampton Solent University, and a research Fellow at Exeter University. She specialises in Art Nouveau, Arts & Crafts. An author and Broadcaster

Tim Bruce-Dick received an MA in Art History at Edinburgh University, and a Diploma in Architecture from the Architectural Association, London. He worked for Lambeth Borough Council architects department, and Arup Associates before establishing his own private practice in London. Tim also taught Design and History at Oxford Brookes University School of Architecture [formerly Oxford Polytechnic] from 1974 until 1992 where he led many student trips abroad as well as teaching at several Oxford University summer schools. He taught evening classes in the Appreciation of Contemporary Architecture at City University, London 1992-2009 (from 2009, following the withdrawal of government funding, these courses have been transferred to the offices of Price & Myers, Consulting Engineers, 30 Newman St, London W1T 1LT). Tim also organises three or four trips each year to see the latest architecture, as well as leading regular walks in London, and is an official NADFAS approved lecturer.

Viv Hendra studied at both Cambridge and Exeter Universities. An authority on John Opie, he is consulted by private individuals and galleries in New York and London and in 2007 published 'The Cornish Wonder: A Portrait of John Opie'.

Nicholas Bagshawe has worked in the British art market since the 1970’s. Oxford educated, he trained initially with Sotheby’s before working for Pawsey & Payne, dealers in British art, in St. James’s in London. From 1979 to 1994 he was a founding partner of Walker-Bagshawe, dealers in British and European painting from gallery premises in Walton Street in London. Since 1994 Nicholas Bagshawe has worked as a sole trader in 18th, 19th and early 20th century fine art and has developed a series of lectures on subjects related to his area of expertise. The business is run from gallery premises in London's St.James's.

Jane Tapley is the Special Events Organiser at the Theatre Royal Bath where she has worked for the past 20 years. She frequently interviews visiting actors, writers and directors. She lectures regularly to theatre going societies, NT and History and Fine Arts groups. She is also a Blue Badge Guide/Lecturer, Freelance Author and Researcher, Home Economist and Theatrical Landlady.

John Benjamin F.G.A., D.G.A. began his career in 1972 at Cameo Corner, the celebrated Bloomsbury jewellers, well-known for its unrivalled stock of ancient, Renaissance, 18th and 19th century jewellery. After qualifying as a Fellow of the Gemmological Association, he gained the Association’s diamond diploma with distinction and joined Phillips Fine Art Auctioneers as a cataloguer and valuer. He remained at Phillips for 23 years ultimately becoming International Director of Jewellery with responsibility for the sale programme in London and Geneva. In 1999 he established his own independent jewellery consultancy, John C Benjamin Limited. John Benjamin is a Freeman of the Goldsmiths’ Company and Freeman of the City of London.

Dr Ann Birchall is a professional archaeologist of international reputation. She was formerly Assistant Keeper of Greek and Roman Antiquities at the British Museum and has excavated at home and abroad, including underwater. The author of books and articles; a broadcaster on radio and TV – she wrote and presented an award-winning two-part BBC TV documentary of her underwater excavation of HMS Colossus; adviser for BBC TV’s ‘China’s Terracotta Army’ and a Guest Speaker at functions all over the world including London’s Woman of the Year Lunch.

Peter Medhurst appears in the UK and abroad as musician and scholar, giving recitals and delivering illustrated lectures in music and the arts. He studied singing and early keyboard instruments at the Royal College of Music and at the Mozarteum in Saltzburg. He is especially well-known as a presenter and lecturer on music and the arts and is the creator of the highly successful study days sponsored by The Classical Music Company at the South Bank in London. Peter is visiting lecturer to the University of Kent, The National Trust, The National Arts Collection Fund, and Nadfas.

There is something magical in the use of mosaic as an art medium. It involves the use of thousands of glass cubes (tesserae) which when placed on wall surfaces create a kaleidoscope of colour and design. It was a complex art form developed in the Middle Ages in which Byzantines excelled as seen in Hagia Sofia and the church of Chora in Istanbul. Italian patrons regarded Byzantine art as the finest available and imported mosaic craftsmen to adorn their cathedrals and churches in Rome, Venice, Palermo and Sicily. Programme for the Morning: 10.15 am Registration and Welcome 10.30 am Session 1 – Heaven on Earth: Byzantine Mosaics 11.30 am Coffee/Tea and biscuits 12 noon Session 2 – Medieval Majesty: Italian Mosaics The cost is £16.50 for the lecture morning. The ticket price includes entry coffee/tea and biscuits during the interval. We regret that post-dated cheques cannot be accepted and refunds can only be made if there is a waiting list. Please enclose a Stamped addressed envelope (22 x 11 cm) so that you can be sent your ticket, which constitutes a receipt.

Hilary Hope Guise lectures in the main London museums and for American Universities and Institutions, such as the Smithsonian Institution. She has toured widely in the USA. She has also worked for the Art Fund, taught courses at Cambridge University and has been a guest speaker on cruises. She trained as a painter at the Central St Martin’s College of Art and Design in London and regularly exhibits abroad. Most recently she has exhibited in Berlin and in France. She lives in London and in Provence.

Linda Smith is an art historian with a broad range of knowledge and a special interest in British art, and the art of the twentieth century. She delivers illustrated talks, presentations and study days on a variety of art history topics and has taken on various types of assignment at a wide range of venues, including cruise liners, public galleries, secondary schools, and private art societies in the UK and overseas. She is an accredited NADFAS lecturer and an experienced gallery guide, especially at the Tate Britain and Tate Modern in London, where she works as a Guide and Lecturer.

Anthea Streeter studied the Fine and Decorative Arts in London and continued her studies at Harvard University. It was while at Harvard, where there was great enthusiasm for American Design, that she became interested herself in 20th Century architecture. Since returning from America, she has taught on courses in Oxford and London, lectured on the Country House Course in Sussex and for several private groups around the country.

Dr Walsh has a BA in the History and Theory of Art, an MA from the V&A and a PhD from The European University Institute.

After University, Jo Walton began teaching and lecturing, combining this with a career as an art bookseller. She established and ran the Atrium Bookshop in Cork Street – the heart of London’s art world – and worked with Christie’s, the fine art auctioneers. Jo now combines freelance lecturing with work in publishing and as a guide at Tate Modern and Tate Britain.

John Sankey CMG, PhD, is a British diplomat and expert on Sir Thomas Brock, Victorian sculptor.

Chloe Sayer is a specialist in Latin American Art and Culture. As a fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute, she has made ethnographic collections and carried out fieldwork in Mexico and Belize for the British Museum. She has traveled widely in Mexico researching textile traditions, crafts, festivals and dances. Her many books include "Costumes of Mexico" (University of Texas Press, 1985), "The Arts and Crafts of Mexico" (Chronicle Books, 1990) and "Textiles of Mexico" (British Museum Press, 2002). She collaborated with photographer Mariana Yampolsky on "Traditional Mexican Architecture" (Thames and Hudson, 1993) and co-wrote "Mask Arts of Mexico" with Ruth Lechuga (Chronicle Books, 1994). Chloë co-curated the exhibition "The Skeleton at the Feast: The Day of the Dead" in Mexico at the Museum of Mankind in London, and wrote the accompanying book (British Museum Press and University of Texas Press, 1991). Chloë lives in London and lectures regularly in museums and art schools. She has collected ethnographic material for the British Museum and has also researched and produced a number of television documentaries for the BBC.

Dr Laura de Beden was born in Rome and educated in continental Europe, taking her Doctorate in Humanities and Foreign Languages and Literature at Universita' Bocconi. Pursuing a long held interest in plants and garden design she enrolled at the University of Central England to study Landscape Architecture and after graduation took Professional Practice exams in 1994 to become a fully qualified landscape architect. She runs a landscape practice, lectures internationally, and writes on landscape issues. Articles have been published in Abitare , Gardenia, Spaziocasa, The Garden History Society Journal (Special issue 2000), and Garden Design (2004). Her home and office are in Kew, West London, a stone's throw from the Royal Botanic Gardens. website: www.lauradebeden.co.uk

Ann Sweeney is a freelance lecturer NADFAS, National Trust, WEA, Museum and Historical Societies. Extra Mural Lecturer for the Universities of London and Surrey for 25 years. Lived two years in America. Historical research. Geography Degree. English Speaking Union (US tour 2005), Genootschap Nederland - Engeland (tours 1995/99), cruises (2004 - 2007) as a NADFAS speaker.

Leslie Primo is a graduate with two degrees in Art History from Birkbeck, University College, London. During his studies he specialised in early Medieval and Renaissance studies, including, Italian Renaissance Drawing, Art and Architecture in Europe 1250-1400 Art and Architecture in Europe 1400-1500, Medici and Patronage, Narrative Painting in the Age of Giotto, the work of Peter Paul Rubens focusing on his paintings of the Judgement of Paris, and Greek Myth in paintings. Leslie Primo has not only worked at the National Gallery in London for 10 years, but has also taught a variety of art history course at Reading University, including: Medieval to Renaissance (a survey course), Reading Pictures – The Hidden Stories in Art (a course on iconography) and Masters of the Renaissance - Leonardo and Michelangelo. Leslie Primo currently lectures at the National Gallery, the National Portrait Gallery, and teaches a variety of art history courses at the City Literary and Bishopsgate Institutes in London, including: A art history survey course called Styles in Art (spanning art from Byzantium to Victorian painting), The Mirror of Nature (looking at 17th Century art and Culture), The Renaissance and Beyond, Introduction to the National Galley and Introduction to the National Portrait Gallery, Introduction to Western European Art and many more. Leslie Primo's lecturing repertoire and subject areas include: Early Renaissance painting, High Renaissance painting, Baroque and Mannerism, 17th, 18th and 19th century artists such as Seurat, Monet and Cézanne, which also encompasses Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. This also includes many slide lectures across all these subject areas, such as Reynolds’s Portrait of Omai, lectures on the Lunar Society, lectures on the Court of Charles I, and Leonardo's Portraits and Madonnas

WONDER WORKERS & THE ART OF ILLUSION '…… in which it is the very trickery that pleases me. But show me how the trick is done, and I have lost my interest therein.' Seneca (3BC – 65AD) From the beginning of time the fascination with magic and the impossible has been widespread. Egypt was the cradle of magic. Sorcerer Priestus used scientific principles to create illusions for the edification of worship and to hold power over people. Where there was power there was magic. Then there is the old age skill of sleight of hand, which proves that ‘the hand is quicker than the eye’. Magicians were known as ‘Jongleurs’ lest they be sentenced to death for which witchcraft and conjuration under the edicts of Henry VIII. With the emergence of the Music Hall, Magic gained a new respectability and audiences flocked in there thousands to watch the extraordinary feats of The Great Illusionists. This gave birth to legendry tricks such as pulling a rabbit from a hat and sawing a lady in half. And if magicians guarded their secrets with their lives, how was the Magic Circle formed? – Home to 10,000 secrets. Even today in our super technical age of ipods and broadband, the wonder and surprise of magic are as popular as ever, not forgetting the Harry Potter craze. Wonder Workers and the Art of Illusion is a whistle stop tour of the history of mystery from 3000 BC to the 21st century and be careful! – you might be amazed and bewitched.

Isolated from the outside world for centuries, Tibet is home to a rich and unique artistic tradition inspired by the teachings of Buddhism. Buddhism began in India during the 5th century BCE and over the centuries developed into three distinct paths – the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana. Each share the same goal, to eliminate suffering and to achieve enlightenment, but vary slightly in their approach. The Hinayana believed it was disrespectful to portray images of the Buddha, but the later traditions of the Mahayana and its tantric offshoot, the Vajrayana, introduced an extraordinary system of visual imagery. It was these two traditions that permeated Tibet from the 7th century onwards. This lecture explores the wealth of this sacred artistic tradition – and explains how the paintings and sculptures are created, and how they are used as visual aids for meditation, in order to guide the practitioner on his or her path towards enlightenment.

Ian Pickford entered the antiques silver trade on leaving school. Six years later, he became lecturer for the University of London and the University of Surrey, for NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Art Societies) and for the National Trust. Further to his very popular appearances on BBC's 'The Antiques Roadshow' his writings include the now standard reference book on Silver Flatware, and he is the Editor of Jackson's Silver and Gold Marks.

The Life and Times of Sir Max Beerbohm Max Beerbohm was writer and caricaturist. From his childhood he sketched with skill, perception and unmatched wit, the major literary, political and artistic figures of the day. Many of his subjects were his closest friends. ‘Max’ was half brother to Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree, the Victorian actor –manager and Max was also a member of the Oscar Wilde circle in the ‘90s. In 1910 Max Beerbohm married the American actress Florence Kahn and they went to live in Rapallo. His delicately coloured caricatures were exhibited regularly, however, at the Carfax Gallery and were also collected in various books. In this talk we shall trace Beerbohm’s life and look in detail at the wittiest of his drawings as he brings to life Shaw, Kipling, Gladstone, John Singer Sargent and Dante Gabriel Rossetti amongst others. We hall also turn the pages of his novel Zileika Dobson, an illustrated parody of Max’s undergraduate days at Merton College, Oxford, in the 1890s Biographical Notes - Francis Hughes: After spending thirty four years in Education (eighteen years as a Head Teacher) Frances is now a freelance lecturer in Art and Theatre History for NADFAS and at the National Portrait Gallery and the London Centre for theatre studies. She is Hon. Sec. of the Shakespeare Reading Society (founded 1875) and the Chairman of the Irving Society and of he Henry Irving Foundation.

“Not painting, but truth”, the work of Diego Velázquez was hailed during the highpoint of the “Golden age of Spanish Painting” – so real appeared one of his pictures to his contemporaries! The early paintings also called “Godegones” or kitchen scenes attracted the attention of King Phillip IV who made Velázquez his court painter. In an ever looser style, this “baroque impressionist” was to produce unforgettable portraits and landscapes as well as historical allegorical and religious pictures,” highlights all of which will be studied in this talk.

In the early years of the 18th century English lead glass was prized for its strength, its satin-smooth surface and its dazzling brilliance. The brilliance of this glass was enhanced when decorated with simple shallow wheel cut facets, polished to reflect and refract light like a diamond. It was both a luxury and very expensive. By 1800 decorative techniques had become so sophisticated, English cut glass was much sought after worldwide. The apogee of taste and style was reached in the Regency period, 1800 – 1830. We will look at the rise of this craft from its humble beginnings in the early 1700’s in the mirror grinders’ workshops around St Martin’s Lane in London to the glittering services of the Regency. One of the finest ever made, of over 40 pieces, was ordered by the Prince of Wales from Perrin and Geddes of Warrington 1806 – 1810. It is still in use at Windsor Castle.

All cities have layer on layer of human habitation. Peter Lawrence strips London bare. This lecture will give a fresh look at London, its history and expansion from the Roman period to more recent times. It will include descriptions of three of the several rivers that still run through London from the north and the south into the Thames. In the main, these rivers are concealed by the roads that were built over them in the 19th century. First the Westbourne which runs down through Hyde Park, and was dammed to form the Serpentine, also making the boundary between Hyde Park and Kensington Gardens; the second was the Fleet which runs from Holborn. This river was navigable but was enclosed in a conduit when the Farringdon Road was built over it. The third river, the Tyburn, flows from Regent’s Park down to St James’ Park where it forms a lake and on to the Thames by Westminster. The lecture will also include descriptions of the tunnel system under Whitehall, the construction of the Embankment, the sewerage system, which is made up of 1,000 miles of sewer pipes under London, and the London Underground. Plus Brunel’s Rotherhithe to Wapping tunnel under the Thames which took 19 years to dig 1200 ft. During the second world war the Plessey engineering company set up a factory in the Underground between Gants Hill and Wanstead in order to avoid the German bombing. Peter Lawrence is a Freeman of the City of London and an Adult Education tutor in history, architecture and environmental studies, so is well qualified to delve into the past through archaeology and written documents.

(Rossetti, Millais, Holman Hunt and England’s early Pre-Raphaelites) Perhaps Millais, Hunt and Rossetti, with their formation of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848, created the most important art movement this country has ever known. This lecture looks in some depth at the development of these artists and artists such as Burne-Jones, and Ford Maddox-Brown. The slides will include some of the best-known Pre-Raphaelite images. Nicholas Bagshawe trained at Sotheby’s and all his working life was spent as an art dealer. He is currently dealing by appointment in pictures from gallery premises in London. He lectures regularly at Sotheby’s Institute, V and A, Southampton Institute and Tate Britain.

The lecture presents the true story behind the name Shakespeare and paints a picture of the court intrigue and treachery that led to the biggest cover-up of English history. It tells the poignant tale of the buried author Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, poet, playwright, musician, composer and patron of artists, a real life Hamlet who sacrificed his name and reputation for the sake of his art and whose love for the Queen weathered all storms. In addition, it demonstrates that the semi-literate man from Stratford, known as Guliemus Shakespeare, lacked the education and experience (as well as the inside knowledge of court affairs) evinced by the author, and could not have lampooned the ruling elite without forfeiting his life. Finally it shows how an understanding of Shakespeare’s true identity adds new depth to his works. Charles Beauclerk has lectured extensively across Canada and the USA and widely at schools in the UK. He is a trustee of the Shakespearean Authorship Trust which organises seminars and lectures on Shakespeare, authorship and Elizabethan history. He is vice president of the Royal Stuart Society.