Diary
Our lectures will ve held either via Zoom or in the lecture hall and our visits and trips will be listed on the website as and when we can organise group visits. Please keep updated via our website and email noticeboards.
That Pretty German Toy – Musings On The Christmas Tree
6th December 2021
Location: The Library Lecture Hall
The Christmas tree is arguably the most iconic aspect of our midwinter celebrations. In this lecture, given on St. Nicholas’ Day, Peter Medhurst delves into the past - as far…
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A virtual guided winter walk in the snow covered Karwendel Mountains, Austria
16th December 2021
Location: Online
The Karwendel mountains are a range of limestone peaks and ridges running along the northern border of the Austrian Tyrol and the southern border of Bavaria. Both the Bavarian and…
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Fashion, Fury And Feminism; Women’s Fight For Change
18th January 2022
Location: Zoom
When social historian Tessa Boase told the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds she wanted to write their early story, they refused to let her visit their archives. To…
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Peer Gynt: The Words Of Ibsen And The Music Of Grieg Create A Norwegian Masterpiece
8th February 2022
Location: Zoom
The unique collaboration of the two giants of Norwegian creativity is a remarkable work of genius. Although some of Grieg’s tunes are well known, the story behind its creation and…
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Great Estates of Scotland – Dumfries House
16th February 2022
Location: Online
Dumfries House, a Palladian country house in Ayrshire, Scotland, is located within a large estate around two miles west of Cumnock. Noted for being one of the few such houses…
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Sahara As Muse
8th March 2022
Location: Zoom
A cultural history of the world’s greatest desert, from rock art and myth, to The Desert Fathers, Sons of the Desert, Klee and Matisse, Schultz and Lucas … The…
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Curators’ Introduction to Nero: The Man Behind the Myth
16th March 2022
Location: Online
Nero is known as one of Rome's most infamous rulers, notorious for his cruelty, debauchery and madness. His turbulent rule saw momentous events including the Great Fire of Rome, Boudicca's…
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Napoleonic Style And Its Creator, Vivant Denon
5th April 2022
Location: Library Lecture Hall
Dominique Vivant, Baron Donon (1747-1825) was a diplomat for France under Louis XV and Louis XV1. He was appointed as the first Director of the Louvre museum by Napoleon after…
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Rome: A History of the Eternal City – The Rebirth of God’s City
16th April 2022
Location: Online
From BBC Four, 1st of 3 episodes With Sebag Montefiore
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Irma Stern 1894 – 1966. Flowers And Faces Of Southern Africa
10th May 2022
Location: Zoom
This lecture serves as an introduction to the art of South Africa whilst addressing important contemporary themes relating to the depiction of race, colonialism and the appropriation of African culture.…
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Rome: A History of the Eternal City – Divine Gamble
16th May 2022
Location: Online
From BBC Four, 2nd of 3 episodes With Sebag Montefiore
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Marathon!
7th June 2022
Location: Library Lecture Hall
As John Stuart Mill put it, ‘the Battle of Marathon, even as an event in English history, is more important than the Battle of Hastings’. Rupert re-creates the background and…
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Rome: A History of the Eternal City – City of the Sacred
16th June 2022
Location: Online
From BBC Four, last of 3 episodes With Sebag Montefiore
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West India Docks & Canary Wharf: A Journey Bak To The Future
12th July 2022
Location: Library Lecture Hall
Canary Wharf was a totally new concept which revived London’s Docklands. Or was it? This lecture takes you back to the foundations of the West India Docks with their magnificent…
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Lizards, Fancy Feathered Hats and Trickery
16th July 2022
Location: Online
The Director's Choice The National Gallery, London Dr Gabriele Finladi, Director of The National Gallery, gives his personal take on selected works in the collection; enjoy the anecdote and insight…
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