Great Spanish Masters II
Joaquin Sorolla was a huge success in his own lifetime; his depictions of women, children and the sea proving highly popular with public and collectors alike. We look at how Picasso began, including his beautiful blue and rose periods, concluding … More details …
Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: The revolution that reshaped France
The French Revolution (1789–1799) reshaped the political, social, and economic landscape of France and beyond. From the storming of the Bastille to the rise of radical revolutionary ideas, this course will explore the key events that led to the abolition … More details …
Dracula and The Picture of Dorian Grey: Literature of the 1890s
The period known as the fin de siècle was a time of rapid change and progress but also a period that saw a huge amount of fear over cultural, social, political and ideological change. Both these texts explore the shifts … More details …
The Art of Australia: After the Goldrush
How European art evolved in Australia from the 1860s to WW1. The Ideas of Nationhood influenced many artists during the late 19th century, this can be seen in the landscape and figurative painting of this period. The main focus for … More details …
Be Still My Beating Heart: Unenviable Proposals in Fiction
This study day will look at marriage proposals across a range of nineteenth-century fiction. Whilst there will be a light-hearted consideration of the many unenviable proposals that appear in fiction from this period. We will also consider the more serious … More details …
An Introduction to Artists’ Books
Making an Artist Book combines craft with art and is an art form started in France in the early 1900s. We will look at some examples, then make a flower fold, and an accordion hard- cover book. Participants are invited … More details …
From Scarlet Pimpernel to Horatio Hornblower – reading four early twentieth century romance novels
What is it about the historical romance that has attracted readers and writers? Are they pure escapism? Perhaps we can find clues by looking at some of the twentieth century roots of the genre. We will discuss ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel’ … More details …
No Place for Ladies
Inspired by reading the diary of a woman who served in the Russian cavalry against Napoleon, the course highlights half a dozen other ladies who – accidentally or on purpose – found themselves involved in the wars of the early … More details …
Virgil’s “Aeneid” (Sarah Ruden verse translation)
In our reading and discussion of the “Aeneid”, we shall be looking at the mythology of the fall of Troy, the themes of fate and destiny, the importance of ‘pietas’ and ‘virtus’ in relation to the character of Aeneas. We … More details …
The Plantagenets: Monarchy, Knighthood, Chivalry
From Henry II to Richard II, eight Plantagenet kings ruled England. Throughout the period the monarchy provided a rich Kaleidoscope of personality and ability. The reigns of Richard I and King John will be briefly covered to avoid any repeat … More details …
The Art of Australia – Modern painting in the 20th century
How modern painting developed in Australia from the 1920s to the 1970s. This will include the wide range of painters of the post impressionist era known as the ‘Sydney Moderns’, the ‘Hiedi School and the painters of the post-war era.
More details ...Reading Paintings – The Dutch Golden Era
This day-school opens with a survey of the Dutch Golden Age in politics and art. We begin with the establishment of the Dutch Republic in 1588 and end with the Rampjaar (‘Terrible Year’) of 1672 when the French invaded and … More details …