Camden Town and the London Groups – Great British Art 1900-1925
The Fitzroy Street group was founded by Walter Sickert in 1907, and then followed the three Camden Town Group exhibitions (1911-12), where we see the art of Sickert, Spencer Gore, Harold Gilman and Charles Ginner. Finally, the setting up of … More details …
North and South: Elizabeth Gaskell
Share your responses to this classic novel. At one time, it was classified only as a ‘condition of England’ novel. More recently the story of Margaret Hale, and her movements between the rural south and the newly industrialised north has … More details …
The Genius of the Classical Era in Music (1750-1820)
We will explore the evolution of the orchestra, the formalisation of the symphonic and sonata form, Mozart’s operas and masses, the symphonies and string quartets of Haydn, the explosion in popularity of the fortepiano and the demise of the harpsichord. … More details …
New Crafts: Mosaics
Another opportunity to observe some of the techniques involved in creating a mosaic and to complete a small panel to take home. Cutting tools and all materials provided (small extra cost). Check out Frankie’s website https://frankiehudsonmosaics.co.uk … More details …
Landscapes in Literature
An exploration of British landscape writing through selected texts of poetry and prose, from 19th century industrial and post-industrial landscapes, to the ‘new nature writing’ of the 21st century.
Americans in Paris
Paris has been a catalyst for some of America ’s finest thinkers and creators. From Thomas Jefferson to Gene Kelly, this course explores their reasons for going there and the work they produced. The main focus will be art (Sargent, … More details …
Three Imperial Cities: Rome, Constantinople and Ravenna
An exploration of the three imperial capitals of the late Roman Empire, linking the physical appearance, the art and the architecture with the religious and ideological preoccupations of the society of Late Antiquity.
First Penguins: A Revolution in Reading
What do The Unpleasantness at The Bellona Club, by Dorothy L. Sayers, Gone to Earth, by Mary Webb, and Carnival, by Compton Mackenzie have in common? They are numbers 5, 9 and 10 on Penguin’s list. We will discuss characters, … More details …
The Evolution of Film Music
A six-session study of film music from the earliest simple film reels with live music, to the sprawling scores of modern cinema. Session 1: Music for a New Visual Age Exploring the music of the silent age – live scores … More details …
Realism and Tinsel: The Representation of Women in British Films 1939-1945
In 1943 Michael Balcon, head of Ealing Studios, contrasted the “tinsel” of “escapist” fare to the “realism” of the more down-to-earth films he advocated in time of war. The day will look at the ways in which women were represented … More details …
Hogarth and the Foundling Hospital: a pioneering double act
The collaboration between philanthropist Thomas Coram, artist William Hogarth and composer George Frideric Handel represents a slice right through mid-eighteenth century London society and culture. Effectively Britain’s first children’s charity, it was also the first of many public art spaces. … More details …
Painting and Film in the 20th Century
Film is regarded as the main visual art form of the 20th century; it has had a close relationship to painting from its very beginning. This study day will take a look at how the influence of painting on film … More details …
Medieval Craftsmen
They were the elite of the workforce who created the great woodcarvings, wall paintings, stone carvings and stained glass. This is a journey through their works and their worlds.
Bohemians in Paris
Paris is a magnet for talent, much of it existing on the margins of conventional society. Many of these bohemian figures would later become the centre of the art establishment. This course explores Modigliani, Picasso, Man Ray, and more.
Life in Ancient Rome: a further exploration
This course will continue exploring aspects of life in Ancient Rome, using contemporary art and literature. It is not necessary to have attended the earlier course as the topics are ‘stand alone’.