Previous Days of Special Interest
In October 2021 we had three lectures on Pre-Raphaelite painters.
The presenter was Mr. Julian Halsby, MA RBA FRSA. Julian studied History of Art at Emmanuel College Cambridge and had a career in lecturing and writing, working as a Senior Lecturer and Head of Department.
John William Waterhouse
The Pre-Raphaelites were young, revolutionary artists who defied the traditions of the Royal Academy and produced highly original and innovative works from 1848 until the 1880’s.
The study day looked at the origins of the movement and the battles for recognition from 1848 to 1860, moving on to examine the wonderful Pre-Raphaelite landscapes, amongst the finest landscapes of the 19th century. The young Pre-Raphaelites were also social rebels rejecting Victorian morality and associating with girls whom their parents considered to be below their social standing. The day continued by examining the loves and scandals surrounding these artists. Julian then looked at the later Pre-Raphaelites and their influence in Europe, as well as examining Pre-Raphaelite design led by William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones which became the famous Arts and Crafts Movement.
It was a very enjoyable day with an enthusiastic audience.
Susan Dunnett
A watercolour of an early 17th-century plague doctor’s costume.
(Wellcome Trust/Used under Creative Commons licence)Medicine and Art
The Day of Special Interest held on the 25th March 2022 at The Warwickshire Country Club, Leek Wootton, Warwick was entitled “Medicine and Art”.
Dr James Grant MBE, a retired General Practitioner, gave members two lectures in the morning: the first on “Medical Gold” from Ancient Egypt to The Nobel Prize and the second on “The Art of Pandemics”: In contrast to the altarpieces and the secular paintings of the plague and previous epidemics the Covid-19 pandemic has led to an outpouring of remarkable street art. Artists have depicted the effects of disease, the basic human need to blame someone or something for their suffering as well as producing wonderful images which have inspired great hope and consolation. Saint Sebastian to the rescue!
In the afternoon, there was a complete contrast! A prize quiz based on Dr. Grant’s collection of medical instruments and artifacts. What is it and what would it be valued at? Absolutely fascinating but no-one managed to get all the correct answers!
The lectures and the quiz were informative and fun. Dr. Grant was very clear and entertaining in his presentations.
Making Art from Destruction: The Cultural History of War and Heroism – November 2019
Image supplied by the speakerOn Friday 1st November 2019, Dr. Max Jones, Senior lecturer in modern history at the University of Manchester, delivered a fascinating day’s lecture.
He explored the changing ways that artists have interpreted war and heroism over the last three centuries.
Attention focused on commanders through the eighteen and nineteenth centuries – as sculptors and painters raised hosts of Admirals and Generals onto pedestals.
He explored how artists developed new strategies to represent loss and honour the dead of the war.
Max was very entertaining and fun.
Roz Crampton
How to look at paintings – March 2019
On Friday 15th March 2019, we hosted a Day of Special Interest at The Warwickshire Golf & Country Club, Leek Wootton, near Warwick CV35 7QT.
The speaker was Stella Grace Lyons and the subject, “How to Look at Paintings: Unlocking hidden meanings in Art”.
The lecture was an excellent introduction on how to look at art. Stella delivered the whole day with enthusiasm and fun.
Roz Crampton
Image supplied by the speaker
