Autumn Talks at the National Gallery

Places are available in my Tuesday and Thursday National Gallery groups meeting one morning per month.

Learn about the wonderful collection of Medieval and Renaissance art in the beautiful surroundings of the Sainsbury Wing with my series of three talks this autumn, on artists such as Giotto, Piero della Francesca, Botticelli, Leonardo, Van Eyck and Bellini.

Please contact me if you would be interested in joining a group and I'll send you further details.

Gallery Talks are informal and designed to give an insight into the History of Western Art. The aim is for them to be both enjoyable and informative. They involve me telling the stories of the art works and artists, giving the background of the history and social context of selected works and describe the techniques used in their creation, so as to give an introduction to Art History. The course of talks begins with the earliest paintings and we then work our way through the collection studying the treasures of the National Gallery, looking at approximately ten paintings during each visit. The National Gallery collection starts with the 13th century and ends in the 20th century and I give the talks as far as possible in chronological order, so as to give an idea of the developments in art over the centuries. No previous knowledge is required and I welcome questions.

We meet each morning at 10.30am in the foyer of the Sainsbury Wing and spend until 12.30pm in the galleries. All tickets need to be pre-booked, which I'll organise once you have confirmed your place and email to you, prior to our visit. The maximum group size is 10 people. View the updated Calendar for autumn talks at the National Gallery.

I look forward to guiding you through the art treasures in the National Gallery soon.

Julie

16 Sept - Talk at the National Gallery

Places are available for my Gallery Talk on British Portrait & Genre Painting on Thursday 16th September at 10.30am at the National Gallery. I will discuss masterpieces by artists such as Hogarth, Gainsborough and Stubbs.

Please contact me if you'd be interested in joining the group and I'll send you further details

Apsley House Tour

Thursday 2nd September, 10.30am - 12.45pm

Gallery Talks art tour of the magnificent Wellington Collection at Apsley House, Piccadilly, London, home to the Dukes of Wellington. We will have the house to ourselves for the first half an hour of our visit, as they are kindly opening early just for us!

Apsley House is the only historic London mansion to retain the majority of its contents, a circumstance which creates a unique opportunity; many of the works of art were purchased by the 1st Duke of Wellington and some of the finest are from the Spanish Royal Collection, which were presented to the Duke as a gift from King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

This extraordinary and internationally important art collection includes masterpieces by Titian, Correggio, Velázquez, Rubens, Bruegel and Goya. The Wellington Collection is displayed in sumptuous interiors such as the Waterloo Gallery and the Piccadilly Drawing Room which have been carefully restored to the aspect they would have worn in Wellington’s day and where the stunning paintings are densely hung.

Apsley House, also known as Number One London, has been a family home to the Dukes of Wellington since the early 19th century and visitors today have the rare experience of viewing the art collection in the rooms in which it was originally shown. The house, together with a large part of its contents, was presented to the nation in 1947 as a gift from the 7th Duke of Wellington and, whilst the family retain apartments in part of the house, the museum is now cared for and run by English Heritage.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details.

The fee for this Gallery Talk tour is £40, including the entrance ticket and a set of notes sent out by email afterwards.

I look forward to guiding you through the Wellington Collection at Apsley House.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Visit

Wednesday 4th August

I will give a tour of the sculpture gardens and studios across the estate of Perry Green, Much Hadham, Hertfordshire, where Henry Moore lived and worked. The Henry Moore sculptures are displayed in the landscape in which they were created and span his entire career, representing his main themes. Henry Moore was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and became internationally famous for his sculpture.

After lunch in the cafe, we can visit the new exhibition 'The Living Hand' curated by artist and author Edmund de Waal.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details.

The cost of this visit is £45, including the entrance and exhibition ticket and tour of the sculptures.

I look forward to guiding you through the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.

Apsley House Tour

Thursday 22nd July, 11am - 1pm

Gallery Talks art tour of the magnificent Wellington Collection at Apsley House, Piccadilly, London, home to the Dukes of Wellington.

Apsley House is the only historic London mansion to retain the majority of its contents, a circumstance which creates a unique opportunity; many of the works of art were purchased by the 1st Duke of Wellington and some of the finest are from the Spanish Royal Collection, which were presented to the Duke as a gift from King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

This extraordinary and internationally important art collection includes masterpieces by Titian, Correggio, Velázquez, Rubens, Bruegel and Goya. The Wellington Collection is displayed in sumptuous interiors such as the Waterloo Gallery and the Piccadilly Drawing Room which have been carefully restored to the aspect they would have worn in Wellington’s day and where the stunning paintings are densely hung.

Apsley House, also known as Number One London, has been a family home to the Dukes of Wellington since the early 19th century and visitors today have the rare experience of viewing the art collection in the rooms in which it was originally shown. The house, together with a large part of its contents, was presented to the nation in 1947 as a gift from the 7th Duke of Wellington and, whilst the family retain apartments in part of the house, the museum is now cared for and run by English Heritage.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details.

The fee for this Gallery Talk tour is £40, including the entrance ticket and a set of notes sent out by email afterwards.

I look forward to guiding you through the Wellington Collection at Apsley House.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Visit

Wednesday 7th July

I will give a tour of the sculpture gardens and studios across the estate of Perry Green, Much Haddam, Hertfordshire, where Henry Moore lived and worked. The Henry Moore sculptures are displayed in the landscape in which they were created and span his entire career, representing his main themes. Henry Moore was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and became internationally famous for his sculpture.

After lunch in the cafe, we can visit the new exhibition 'The Living Hand' curated by artist and author Edmund de Waal.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details. The 'rule of 6' limits our group to six people, including myself, so I will offer places on a first-come first-served basis.

The cost of this visit is £45, including the entrance and exhibition ticket and tour of the sculptures.

I look forward to guiding you through the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Visit

Thursday 17th June

I will give a tour of the sculpture gardens and studios across the estate of Perry Green, Much Haddam, Hertfordshire, where Henry Moore lived and worked. The Henry Moore sculptures are displayed in the landscape in which they were created and span his entire career, representing his main themes. Henry Moore was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and became internationally famous for his sculpture.

After lunch in the cafe, we can visit the new exhibition 'The Living Hand' curated by artist and author Edmund de Waal.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details. The 'rule of 6' limits our group to six people, including myself, so I will offer places on a first-come first-served basis.

The cost of this visit is £45, including the entrance and exhibition ticket and tour of the sculptures.

I look forward to guiding you through the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.

Henry Moore Studios & Gardens Visit

Wednesday 9th June

I will give a tour of the sculpture gardens and studios across the estate of Perry Green, Much Haddam, Hertfordshire, where Henry Moore lived and worked. The Henry Moore sculptures are displayed in the landscape in which they were created and span his entire career, representing his main themes. Henry Moore was one of the most important sculptors of the 20th century and became internationally famous for his sculpture.

After lunch in the cafe, we can visit the new exhibition 'The Living Hand' curated by artist and author Edmund de Waal.

If you would like to join the group for this tour, please contact me and I will send you further details. The 'rule of 6' limits our group to six people, including myself, so I will offer places on a first-come first-served basis.

The cost of this visit is £45, including the entrance and exhibition ticket and tour of the sculptures.

I look forward to guiding you through the Henry Moore Studios & Gardens.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Studland Beach' by Vanessa Bell

Wednesday 12th May at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The painting that I'll be discussing is 'Studland Beach' (c.1912) by Vanessa Bell, in Tate Britain.

This is the last in the 'My Favourite Paintings' series for the foreseeable future. As museums and galleries begin to re-open, I hope to be able to organise some Gallery Talks visits over the summer and plan to resume my Art History courses in London galleries in the autumn.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 12th May at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Vanessa Bell's 'Studland Beach' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Family Group' by Henry Moore

Wednesday 5th May at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The work of art that I'll be discussing is 'Family Group' (1948-49) by Henry Moore, in the Henry Moore Studios and Gardens, Much Haddam, Hertfordshire.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 5th May at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Moore's 'Family Group' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Las Meninas (Infanta Margarita Maria) ' by Picasso

Wednesday 28th April at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The painting that I'll be discussing is 'Las Meninas (Infanta Margarita Maria)' (1957) by Pablo Picasso, in the Picasso Museum, Barcelona, Spain.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 28th April at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Picasso's 'Las Meninas (Infanta Margarita Maria)' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'The Flagellation' by Piero della Francesca

Wednesday 21st April at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The painting that I'll be discussing is 'The Flagellation' (1459-60) by Piero della Francesca, in the National Gallery of the Marche, Urbino, Italy.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 21st April at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Piero della Francesca's 'The Flagellation' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Flowers in a Vase' by Rachel Ruysch

Wednesday 31st March at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

View fullsize

The painting that I'll be discussing is 'Flowers in a Vase' (c.1685) by Rachel Ruysch, in the National Gallery, London.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 31st March at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Rachel Ruysch's 'Flowers in a Vase' on Wednesday afternoon.

After this talk, I'll be taking a two week Easter break and resuming the weekly My Favourite Paintings series on Wednesday 21st April at 2pm.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Rainbow at Pontoise' by Pissarro

Wednesday 24th March at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

View fullsize

The painting that I'll be discussing is 'Rainbow at Pontoise' (1877) by Camille Pissarro, in the Kröller-Müller Museum, Otterlo, Netherlands. Please note this is a different Pissarro painting to the one I originally advertised.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 24th March at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Pissarro's 'Rainbow at Pontoise' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'The Hunt in the Forest' by Uccello

Wednesday 17th March at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

View fullsize

The next painting I'll be discussing is 'The Hunt in the Forest' (c.1465-70) by Paolo Uccello, in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 17th March at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Uccello's 'The Hunt in the Forest' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'The Day Dream' by Rossetti

Wednesday 10th March at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The next painting I'll be discussing is 'The Day Dream' (1880) by Dante Gabriel Rossetti, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, London.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 10th March at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Rossetti's 'The Day Dream' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' by Claude

Wednesday 3rd March at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The next painting I'll be discussing is 'Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' (1648) by Claude Lorrain, in the National Gallery, London.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 3rd March at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Claude's 'Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - March's Theme

Nature

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

This March's five 'My Favourite Paintings' Zoom Gallery Talks are on the theme of nature, as we are all connecting with nature on our daily walks.

The talks are as follows:

• Wednesday 3rd March - Claude's 'Seaport with the Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba' (1648) National Gallery, London
• Wednesday 10th March - Rossetti's 'The Day Dream' (1880) Victoria & Albert Museum, London
• Wednesday 17th March - Uccello's 'The Hunt in the Forest' (c.1465-70) Ashmolean Museum, Oxford
• Wednesday 24th March - Pissarro's 'A Corner of the Garden' (1877) Museée d'Orsay, Paris
• Wednesday 31st March - Ruysch's 'Flowers in a Vase' (c.1685) National Gallery, London

Each Zoom Gallery Talk starts at 2pm and lasts for an hour, including questions. Please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Empire of Light' by René Magritte

Wednesday 24th February at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The next painting I'll be discussing is 'Empire of Light' (1953-4) by René Magritte, in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 24th February at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Magritte's 'Empire of Light' on Wednesday afternoon.

My Favourite Paintings - 'Two Women at a Window' by Murillo

Wednesday 17th February at 2pm

Looking at art is a wonderful way in which to focus the mind and lift the spirits, so would you like to spend a little time with me each week considering works of art? If so, please join me on Zoom, when I am giving a series of Gallery Talks called ‘My Favourite Paintings' to concentrate your thoughts on Art History for an hour.

Each talk is on one work of art and I'll share insights, discussing aspects such as the subject matter, historical and social context of the painting, the life of the artist and the techniques and materials they empIoyed. I welcome questions in the chat box and attempt to answer as many as possible.

The next painting I'll be discussing is 'Two Women at a Window' (c.1665-60) by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo, in the National Gallery of Art, Washington DC.

If you would like to join the next talk of the 'My Favourite Paintings' series, on Wednesday 17th February at 2pm, please message me via the Contact form, and I'll send you the payment details and, on receipt of payment, the Zoom meeting link. The fee for each talk is £10.

I very much look forward to talking to you about Murillo's 'Two Women at a Window' on Wednesday afternoon.