Sutton Hoo and the Lindisfarne Gospels provide remarkable insights into the England of the 7th century. Sutton Hoo in Suffolk was the burial place of a powerful Anglo-Saxon warlord, buried with a mound of treasures from all over the known world. Fine weaponry, gold coins and exquisitely crafted metalwork reflected levels of sophistication which were a revelation.

At the end of the 7th century, after its conversion to Christianity, the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Northumbria enjoyed a brief golden age – a result of which was the Lindisfarne Gospels, one of the most impressive works of art of the whole medieval period. With reference to the Staffordshire Hoard and the Prittlewell Prince, the day will focus on the cultural achievements of an early ‘Dark Age’ century.

The cost will be £34.50 per person. For more information and to book, click here

Spend the day with Sarah Cove looking at the nature of the nature of painting materials from the Middle Ages to the present day including common problems associated with the ageing and deterioration of paintings. 

This will include a practical session when participants can bring along their own paintings for Sarah to look at and give advice on how to look after them.

The day will run between 1000am and 3.30pm, and cost £32.

Click here for the booking form.

Pengenna Manor is an 800 year old private house set in over 300 acres of beautiful Cornish countryside.  It is tucked away in a secluded valley just three miles inland from the North Cornish coast.  It has been the home of the Blewett family for over 150 years.

We are pleased to offer a guided tour lead by the owner, Richard Blewett.  It is an exciting opportunity to be part of a behind-the-scenes tour and its 800 years of amazing history.

Click here to learn more and for the booking form.

(And how do you pronounce it?)  The early art and architecture of one of history’s greatest empires – from Constantine to Justinian.

Session One: 4th & 5th Centuries – The birth of Constantinople and the mosaics of Ravenna.

Session Two: 6th & 7th Centuries – The era of Justinian and Theodora.  Ivories and icons and the building of Hagia Sophia.

Click here for the booking form

9.10am-9.30am start.  Finish will be around midday. Cost is £26.50 a person

LISKEARD ARTS DISCOVERY DAY led by DR HELEN WILSON on

“THE REMARKABLE PINWILL SISTERS”

On 20th March 2024 26 participants, including members from other Arts Societies and local organisations as well as LAS members, gathered at St Matin’s Community Hall, Looe for our latest Discovery Day.  The hall was an excellent choice of venue - plenty of room, without any noisy passing traffic, and all the right facilities including plenty of parking.  Alastair, our technician, was there to make sure the technical side ran very smoothly.

We were all eager to find out more from Dr Helen Wilson about the Pinwill sisters, Mary, Ethel and Violet.  Helen’s intensive research has led to her book on the subject.  At a time when running a company was deemed an exclusively male preserve, the sisters established a thriving business whose output in terms of quantity and quality is only now being recognised as among the most significant in ecclesiastical woodcarving at which craft the Pinwills were sublime artists.  However it is Violet’s carvings that we could admire in our visits to the two churches, St Martin by Looe and St Martin’s Liskeard.  Many of those who came along to the day already knew a great deal about these remarkable ladies but are always keen to learn more.

 
Picture Top Right - Carving of an angel by Violet Pinwill – St Martin by Looe Church

Before handing over to Helen, our first session was on the work of our Church Recorders.  Four members of the team gave individual presentations, each picking out several items to talk about that have enthused and challenged them.  Pat Francis, our lead on church recording, gave an overview of what the work entails whilst Francis Impey focused on woodwork, Susan Barnes shared her interest in textiles and John Davis’ love of metalwork shone through!

Church Recording is not something many of the audience had heard about previously and this session “threw new light on yet another world”.  Other comments received from participants similarly support the enjoyment and interest people gained from the presentations: “We were amazed at the level of detail that went into this”.  “The church recording pitch was compelling.”  “An excellent opening overview followed by enthusiastic and authoritative insights into individual fields of study.”  “I knew nothing of this sort of voluntary work, but it's good to know that it exists, and that it's carried out by such knowledgeable and committed people.”

Pat, Francis, Susan and John deserve our thanks for agreeing to take part as their contributions helped get the day off to an interesting start.  It was through our Church Recorders and their work on St Martin by Looe church that we got to know about Helen Wilson and her research on the Pinwill Sisters which subsequently led us to arrange the day.

After a break for coffee and cake (a very big thank you to Susan and David Barnes for taking charge of refreshments), we then handed over to Helen Wilson who gave her wonderful talk on a subject which has taken over her life and brought so much interest to so many people!

Helen is a delight to listen to and has an informal presentational style.  She is informative and interesting and what she has to say makes one want to go to visit all the churches with Pinwill carvings.  “It was well worthwhile taking notes of the many places to find Pinwill works in case of opportunities to visit them”. 

There has been nothing but praise for Helen’s talk.  “Although I have read her book from cover to cover on more than one occasion, what is impressive is that her research is continuing, and she is therefore able to add to the story - wonderful!”  “I admire the depth of her research e.g trawling newspaper archives for information about other female wood carvers.”

Helen managed to cover several aspects of the Pinwill story with direct reference to St Martin’s by Looe and Liskeard churches which greatly enhanced our visits to these two churches, St Martin by Looe before our lunch break and St Martin’s Liskeard afterwards.

Participants listen to Helen explain Violet’s carvings in the screen between the chancel and the War Memorial chapel

From the feedback received, it would seem that the vast majority of participants enjoyed having a mix of activities whereby they could wander round the churches and chat to other participants as well as listening to the morning talks.  “The day was well organised with enough time to listen, learn, see and enjoy, and everyone who attended mixed well despite it being people from a wide area who didn’t know anyone else there.  Many thanks for hosting this event”.

Click Here for Photos which are available in the Gallery page

The author Dr Helen Wilson whose research led to her book ‘The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters’, will be joining us to recount their story.  At a time when running a company was deemed an exclusively male preserve, the sisters, Mary, Ethel and Violet, established a thriving business in the late 19th century into the 20th century whose output in terms of quantity and quality is only now being recognised as among the most significant in ecclesiastical woodcarving at which craft the Pinwills were sublime artists.  Our own LAS team of Church Recorders met Helen whilst she was researching St Martin’s Church, Looe.

About the speaker

Helen was born and brought up in Plymouth, Devon, and studied for a BSc and PhD in Environmental Science as a mature student at the University of Plymouth, teaching there for a number of years.  She has since developed interests in local history, architecture and churches, applying research skills to her main project of the last decade, studying the life and work of the Pinwill sisters, ecclesiastical woodcarvers.  This research has led to numerous speaking engagements across Devon and Cornwall and more recently developed into the production of a book entitled ‘The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters’.

VENUE: The day starts in St Martin’s Community Hall, Looe (PL13 1FA).  In the afternoon we move to St Martin’s Church, Liskeard (PL14 3AQ)

FROM: 10:00 with registration opening at 9:45      Day ending: approx. 15:00

PROGRAMME

From 09:45 Registration

10:00 Welcome, and  Introduction to Church Recording from the LAS team

10:30 Break for coffee and cake

11:00 Illustrated talk by Dr. Helen Wilson “The Remarkable Pinwill Sisters” finishing with participants’ questions

12:10 – 12:45 Exploring the Pinwill Sisters’ carvings in St Martin’s Church, Looe with Helen talking about specific carvings

12:45 – 14:15  Lunch independently before making your own way to St Martin’s Church, Liskeard

14:15 – 14:55 Exploring the Pinwill Sisters’ carvings in St Martin’s Church, Liskeard with Helen talking about specific carvings

14:55 Thanks and farewell

TOTAL COST: £27 - £22 per person with a suggested donation of £5 for the two churches’ upkeep fund (donations can be gift aided with your consent)

Parking: AM - ample free parking at St Martin’s Community Hall, Looe.  PM - there is some parking available in the Church Centre opposite St Martin’s Church, Liskeard which we have permission to use.  If all spaces have been taken then you will need to use a car park.

Online booking and payment

1. Please pay £27 per person (£22 with donation of £5 for donations to each church) to:

    The Arts Society Liskeard, sort code 20 68 10, account number 70729515, ref  DD +your surname

2. Then email mary.utton2@gmail.com:

Subject:     Discovery Day

Message:    how many places, how much you’ve paid, agreement to Gift Aid donation amount, and your telephone number.

You should get a reply to your email within 48 hours, acknowledging payment and booking.

GDPR: Your details will be retained only until the event has taken place, solely for Liskeard Arts to inform you of any updates about it.

Or complete the Pinwill Sisters Discovery Day Booking form Here and email to mary.utton2@gmail.com

Or you may book and pay by cash/cheque at a Liskeard Arts meeting,.

Or post your name, address, phone number and email address with your cheque payable to The Arts Society Liskeard to:

Mary Utton, Tregantle, Barn Street, Liskeard PL14 4BL

01579 345140, 07731380715, mary.utton2@gmail.com

If you give your email address (or send a sae), your cheque will be acknowledged in writing

Image: Bude Canal in its heyday

Illustrated talks at The Castle, Bude, and a canalside walk with Roger Butler

This unusual and intriguing Discovery Day, based in Bude, will explore some of the West Country’s sple4ndid canals and will include an afternoon visit/walk to parts of the Bude Canal. This waterway was an extraordinary undertaking, extending over 35 miles inland towards Launceston in one direction, and Holsworthy in another. Huge inclined planes (rather than locks) were constructed, with winches to haul its (wheeled!) boats to the canal’s higher levels.
The derelict Liskeard & Looe Union Canal remains little known, but it was once a vital link, carrying Bodmin Moor granite and minerals to the coast from Moorswater. And the St Columb Canal near Newquay climbed straight up the cliffs from a sandy beach. (‘How?’ you might ask … join us and find out!) There were other remarkable canals too – at Bideford, Newton Abbot and Chard, for instance – and all were built with remarkable and ingenious engineering.
Two in-depth talks will place these long-lost canals in their national context and show how they developed in splendid isolation from the UK’s main waterway network. The illustrated talks will describe and examine some of their special history and unusual features, and there will also be an opportunity to look at some examples of the colourful folk art associated with our canals.
We hope to book lunch (at extra cost, depending on your choices), zt The Castle's Cafe Limelight, and if you book we'll send you more information about this in due course. (NB We encourage car-sharing between home and Bude, and we'll send information about that as well.)

After lunch we shall explore parts of the Bude Canal, with visits to interesting landmarks as well as a towpath walk. We’ve recently learnt that there are to be maintenance works on the canal this spring, so we may be restricted as to the features of interest we can visit, but we hope to see one or more of these: the restored locks east of the town, the Marhamchurch inclined plane and Virworthy Wharf near the Tamar Lakes. The towpath between Bude and Marhamchurch is now well surfaced as an accessible walkway. NB Stout shoes are recommended because if time allows we may visit another section of the path.The day will end around 4 pm.

The price is £32 per person, and the event is open to all who appreciate canals, whether or not you're a member of Liskeard Arts. NB limit 30 people, in order for us all to hear Roger speaking during the afternoon in the open air.

For more information and/or to book please contact Caroline Petherick, carolinepetherick@gmail.com

Liskeard Public Hall, 9.30 for 10 am until approx 3.30 pm

A Victorian Splendour: the golden age of British glass

In the 19th century British glassmakers created a kaleidoscope of shapes, colours and decorative techniques which far outstripped those of any other country for the sheer genius of their technical virtuosity and aesthetic sensibility. Special items, including cameo glass and pieces shown at the Great Exhibition of 1851, plus photos of the factories and working conditions and designers, place their achievements within the social context of one of the greatest periods of British glassmaking.

After a coffee break: 20th-century British glass

Based on Charles’s book on the subject, this talk explores a century of glass in Britain from 1900 to 2000, when the studio glass movement gave artists a new medium for artistic expression.

During those years, designers such as Keith Murray, Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Dame Laura Knight, Frank Thrower and Geoffrey Baxter took on board a host of new influences and technologies, and created beautiful and dramatic objects, especially in the Art Deco and post-war periods, which still retain their international relevance.        

Afternoon: Glass Roadshow

Lunch independently; you’re welcome to bring your own supplies and eat in the hall, or go out.

For the roadshow, please bring glass of any date and from any country – not just 19th- and 20th-century British glass, the topics of the two lectures, although those would be good as well. Please bring your piece(s) with you in the morning; they will be kept securely on a shelf in front of the stage

Even if you think your items might be worthless, please still bring them along. It’s sometimes those pieces which turn out to be the star attractions!

Valuations will not be given, but simply a history of each piece and the techniques used to create it.

The day will end around 3.30 pm.

Covid: we shall be taking all appropriate precautions, including thorough ventilation of the hall. So please wear warm clothes.

£34 for the day; more information and booking: carolinepetherick@gmail.com

Liskeard Public Hall, 9.45 am -- 3.30 pm approx

In this Discovery Day Egyptologist Lucia Gahlin will present Ancient Egyptian art as the expression of complex ideologies, and often as propaganda, but also as an astounding body of awe-inspiring sculpture, relief and painting.

The remarkable civilisation of Ancient Egypt lasted some 3,000 years. In order to explore some of the more fascinating periods of its art, Lucia will focus on the reigns of three pharaohs who are remembered for being in some way extraordinary. They all ruled during the 500-year period of ancient Egyptian history and culture known today as the New Kingdom, regarded by many as a heyday for art and architecture in the ancient world.

Lucia will begin with Hatshepsut of the 15th century BCE, remarkable for being a female pharaoh. Lucia will examine the most fasci­nating array of evidence of her reign, from graffiti to monumental reliefs, obelisks and fine statuary.

After a coffee break, Lucia will explore the intriguing art of the 14th-century BCE pharaoh Akhenaten, unlike that of any other pharaoh’s reign. He replaced the traditional polytheistic religion with the worship of one solar deity – but in the end he had made such sweeping changes that after his death he was branded a criminal.

Lunch independently; you’re welcome to either bring your own supplies and eat in the Phoenix Room (next to the hall) or go out.

In the afternoon Lucia will introduce you to the colossal art of Ramesses II who reigned for more than 60 years in the 13th century BCE, had statues of himself set up throughout Egypt, and was the bold purveyor of ‘fake news’. Lucia will explore the art and architecture of this particularly long reign, and piece together the great achievements of this remarkable ruler during a golden age of Egypt’s pharaonic history

The day will end around 3.30 pm.

Lucia Gahlin is an Egyptologist and lecturer. She has taught at a number of UK universities including London, Bristol and Exeter.  She has worked at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology in London and as an archaeological draughtsman and registrar on excavations in Egypt, including Tell el-Amarna.  She regularly leads tours to Egypt for specialist travel companies such as Andante Travels, and her publications include Egypt: Gods, Myths and Religion.

Covid: we shall be taking all precautions appropriate at the time, including thorough ventilation of the hall. So please wear warm clothes. If the government bans the meeting, Lucia will give a zoom presentation instead.

For more information or to book, email carolinepetherick@gmail.com or - if you don't use email - telephone her: 01503-262671

This is now a morning in  the Public Hall in Liskeard, with two talks by Mark Cottle, for £19 per person instead of the original £29.

After arrival at 10am for 10.15, the first morning session will be about the place of the monastery in medieval England. After a coffee break,  Mark will tell us about the early history of the abbey, from its foundation in 1018 to its dissolution by Henry VIII in 1539, and the inspiring story of how it was rebuilt by a small group of dedicated monks led by Abbot Vonier over the 30-year period from the 1880s onwards.

If covid precludes the meeting in the hall, then Mark will give the same talks by zoom instead.
 

Ancient burial grounds in Mexico and Peru have yielded up dazzling goldwork, fine ceramic vessels and some of the richest textiles in the world. Before the Spanish conquest of 1519, numerous civilizations rose and fell; the Olmecs, Maya and the warlike Aztec all forged their own unique and splendid styles on Mexican soils. In Peru the Incas were preceded by a succession of great cultures.

The civilisation of the ancient Maya reached its peak between AD 300 and 900. Dozens of great cities have been located, many still buried in remote parts of the jungle. Intricately carved stone panels, ceramic figurines and splendid mural paintings provide an insight into the religious rituals, music, warfare, textiles and courtly life of the ancient Maya.

The Aztecs flourished between 1325 and 1521, when they surrendered to invading Spanish forces. Tenochtitlan, the shimmering Aztec city, was built on a lake. This Venice of the New World, with a population of 250,000 inhabitants, lay at the heart of a vast empire. Military might was accompanied by exceptional developments in art and architecture.

In Peru, ancient burial grounds have yielded up dazzling goldwork, fine ceramic vessels, and some of the richest textiles in the world. The Incas rose to power after AD 1200 and established a vast empire. Yet they were the last in a long line of cultures. At Paracas, sumptuous garments were preserved for over 2,000 years by the dry desert. The royal tombs of Sipán hid spectacular gold and silver treasures from the civilisation of the Moche. Today the Quechua and the Aymara still weave magnificent textiles. This talk will be accompanied by a display of recent Peruvian weavings.

The price per person for the day is £25, plus optional buffet lunch, £7.

Booking fis now open for both members and the general public. For full information and to book, please click on Our Society tab, then Documents, or email: carolinepetherick@gmail.com.

Photo: Temple-pyramid at the Maya city of Uxmal on the Yucatan Peninsula (courtesy of Chloë Sayer)

We will focus first on the Newlyn School, including Stanhope Forbes and his ‘Fish Sale on a Cornish Beach’, which brought attention from the critics to the group of artists associated with the town. Another Newlyn artist, Frank Bramley, achieved fame with his ‘Hopeless Dawn’, 1888, (right) whilst Elizabeth Forbes achieved great acclaim for her depictions of children. In addition, H.S. Tuke and T.C. Gotch also became famous not only in the UK but also in Australasia.

After a break, it’s the Forbes School of Painting that draws our attention; this talk looks at the work of Stanhope and his wives Elizabeth (who died in 1912) and then Maud Forbes, who ran the School, and that of some of their students.  In its 40-year existence (1899–1939) over 200 students went through the school’s doors. Some artists came from as far as New Zealand for the experience; some were to become well known, such as Dod and Ernest Procter; and many of the students were women.

There’s a break for lunch at around 1pm. We’ll provide an optional lunch for £7.

In the afternoon, we discover the paintings of Harold Harvey. One of the few Newlyn School artists who can be called Cornish, having been born in Penzance, Harvey produced throughout his life a large number of colourful domestic and Cornish scenes. His work echoes the styles of many of his contem­poraries, including Laura Knight, but he developed his own unique approach, which has only recently be­come appreciated. His wife, Gertrude Harvey, was also a painter, and this talk looks at the work of both artists.

Catherine Wallace, our speaker, is a freelance art historian, curator, writer and lecturer specialising in British 19th- and 20th-century art, with a focus on artists who were based in Cornwall. She also has an in-depth knowledge of contemporary art and artists from Cornwall.

She wrote Catching the Light: The Art and Life of Henry Scott Tuke (1858–1929), published by Atelier Books/Fine Art Society, and in 2001 she was commissioned by Penlee House to write Under the Open Sky: The Paintings of Newlyn and Lamorna Artists 1880– 1940 in the public collections of Cornwall and Plymouth.   

She also runs her own courses and study days on Cornish Art History in Cornwall, and Cornish Art History Holiday for small groups.

The price per person for the day is £25. For full information and to book, please email: carolinepetherick@gmail.com

At Exeter Cathedral; meet there at 10.30 for 11am (we'll help you arrange car sharing if you like). The visit is planned to end at around 4pm.

Described as England’s most beautiful Decorated Gothic Cathedral by English Heritage, Exeter Cathedral is a striking example of this style. Imposing Norman towers flank a massive 14th century nave with the longest unbroken rib-vaulted ceiling of any Gothic cathedral in Europe.  In terms of aesthetics, acoustics and engineering it marks a high point in medieval cathedral building.

Decorated Gothic sees an abundance of naturalistic carving, and is rich in gilt, paint, marble, alabaster, brass and Purbeck stone. Larger windows with elaborate tracery let light flood into the building. The Aim of the Discovery Day is twofold: firstly, to illustrate the defining features of Decorated Gothic at Exeter; secondly, to look more closely at the cathedral as a product of its own time, revealing insights into the spirit of the age of the great cathedrals.

After his talk in the cathedral lecture room, then a break for lunch, Mark proposes splitting us into three groups, which will each in turn have a guided tour of the cathedral, a tour of the library (only rarely available), and time on our own to appreciate the wonders of this truly remarkable building. 

Booking is required, and the cost for the day is £25 per person plus £7 for the guided tours of the cathedral and the library. (This is remarkably good value, as the normal entry fees for cathedral and library are £7 each.) Our booking form gives all the relevant details; pick up a printed copy at our  February meeting,* or for a pdf version send an email to carolinepetherick@gmail.com, or use the Contact Us form on this website. 

(* There's a priority booking period for our existing members and their guests; general booking opens on 1 February.) 

Image: Santiago de Compostela, by Simone Ramella - originally posted to Flickr as Santiago de Compostela, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6705393

The “discovery” of the body of the apostle James opened a new and prosperous European pilgrimage route; and by the 12th century hospitals, monasteries, churches and shrines sprang up all along the Camino to attend to the spiritual and worldly needs of huge numbers of pilgrims. Cities along the route also prospered and expanded. 

Pilgrims' tales abound, and the Camino exerts a fascination to this day with many thousands, including Gail Turner, tramping the trail.

At the Public Hall, West Street, Liskeard, PL14 6BW. Meet there at 9.30 for 10am. There will be a hour's break for lunch - this time, to be taken independently - and the day should end around 3-3.30pm. 

Booking is required, and the cost for the day is £25 per person. Our booking form gives all the relevant details; pick up a printed copy at our September and October meetings,* or for a pdf version send an email to carolinepetherick@gmail.com, or use the Contact Us form on this website. (* There's a priority booking period for our existing members and their guests, and general booking opens on 1 October.) 

David Tovey is an expert on St Ives, with several books on the subject to his credit. He has put together this Discovery Day to create for us a panoramic insight into the artistic life of the world-famous Cornish harbour town.

Firstly he gives an overview of Marine Painting from Turner to Alfred Wallis, then focuses on the social life of the art colony, and their friends and relationships within all strata of St Ives society, which began as a remote and Methodist-dominated community.

Finally, David tells how the St Ives Society of Artists revived the artistic fortunes of the town, which led to Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth, Laura Knight, Stanhope Forbes, and a host of other Royal Academicians exhibiting under its aegis.

This Discovery Day takes place at the Public Hall, Liskeard, from 9.30 for 10am, with a break for lunch (provided as an optional extra), to end at about 3.30pm.

This is the remarkable story of how an obscure teenage German princess, Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst, fended off accusations of murder and illegitimacy and rose to become one of the most illustrious monarchs in history. Along the way she transformed the Russian empire, which by the time of her death in 1796 was the largest the world had seen since the fall of Rome, into one of the great powers of Europe.

She created a brilliant court, forging notable links with Enlightenment France, but also led a scandalous personal life, taking a succession of ever-younger lovers. She was famously ruthless, despotic, and a peerless collector of art. The huge Heritage Museum in St Petersburg is a lasting testament to her legacy.

This Discovery Day takes place at the Public Hall, Liskeard, from 9.30 for 10am, with a break for lunch (provided as an optional extra), to end at about 3.30pm.

Booking now open! For more information and booking form, please enquire via Contact Us page (see above right).

Above: Repton's proposed view from Endsleigh House.

A day of contrast. In the morning, at Liskeard Public Hall, Keir Davidson introduces us to Georgina Russell, Duchess of Bedford, and Endsleigh House, built for her and the Duke early in the 19th Century, in a "picturesque" style, with a Scottish architectural flavour. Humphrey Repton was commissioned to landscape the gardens, having made a considerable reputation with his work locally - Anthony House, Port Eliot, and Pentillie Castle.

In the afternoon, we visit Endsleigh House to see for ourselves what he achieved, under the expert guidance of Keir, who is the author of a major study on Repton's labours in the Tamar Valley. Afterwards, we have an opportunity to take tea at Endsleigh, now an elegant luxury hotel, restored and refurbished by Olga Polizzi of Tresanton (St Mawes) fame.

Architect and artist Hugh Ellwood embarks on his sweeping tour of the Classical World with Greece, where pottery began to appear almost three thousand years ago. Greek sculpture developed to reveal an extraordinary realism, both in marble and in bronze. Temple architecture was technically simple, but aesthetically the most sophisticated ever seen to that date.

The Romans conquered the known world and founded their empire on the ruins of the Hellenistic Kingdoms. Rome's outstanding achievements in engineering, her military and administrative skills were added to the artistic, sculptural and architectural triumphs of the Greeks. Hugh looks at developments in all these fields over a period of more than five hundred years, during which Rome became without doubt the most important influence in Western Europe.

Christopher Chanter’s Discovery Day started with his lecture, then after questions he handed around a sheaf of furniture veneers to touch, smell and handle, all of them clearly labelled.

 In the latter part of the morning he demonstrated how to clean and polish furniture properly, using the right materials and techniques.

in the afternoon, he ran an informal road show: we brought in pieces of our wooden furniture, ranging from letter racks to chairs to tables, for his appraisal. Christopher gave age, period, wood, description and approximate value. A most enjoyable day!  

Michelangelo was a sculptor, painter, architect and poet. He has come to epitomise the glorious period of the Renaissance, and is still today considered one of the greatest artists of the Western world. Yet he lived through times of great upheaval, both personal and political.

This day gave us the opportunity to study the works of Michelangelo, interwoven with quotations from his poetry and set within the context of the major political and religious events in Italy of the 16th century. 

Shirley Smith graduated from the University of East Anglia with a first class honours degree in the History of Art, specialising in Italian and Northern Renaissance Art and Architecture.  

She is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, has lectured at the University of East Anglia, and is a tutor for the Board of Continuing Education of Cambridge University.

Her essay ‘The Fresco Decoration in the Sistine Chapel: Biblical Authority and the Church of Rome’ appears in The Bible and the Arts, published by Edinburgh University Press. 

Above: Isabella, by John Everett Millais, 1849

Who were the Pre-Raphaelites?  What were they trying to do? And why?  Linda discussed the important figures – William Holman, John Everett Millais, Dante Gabriel Rosetti and Edward Burne –Jones.   She concluded by assessing their influence on later art movements.

Session One: Background and Early Days
This session began by looking at the background to the Pre-Raphaelites, by showing why they believed that the lofty ideals of the Royal Academy, first established in 1768, had been eroded and debased to the point that trivial and sentimental subjects dominated the art of their time. It went on to deal with their relationship with John Ruskin, and explained why they called themselves Pre-Raphaelites, and what this actually means in terms of style and technique.
Session Two: The Star Players
This session was more biographical, and followed the lives and careers of the three key founding members of the group: William Holman Hunt, John Everett Millais, and Dante Gabriel Rossetti. It showed how, after a very short time, these major figures went their separate ways and pursued very different artistic paths.
Session Three: The Aftermath
This session examined the far-reaching influence of the key Pre-Raphaelites by looking at works by their lesser-known associates and other artists who picked up on their examples. It also looked at the so-called ‘second phase’ of Pre-Raphaelitism which developed around Edward Burne-Jones following the death of Rossetti in 1882; and summed up by tracing the links between elements of late Pre-Raphaelitism and other parallel trends like Symbolism, Classicism and Aestheticism.

Linda Smith holds two first class degrees in Art History.  She is an experienced guide and lecturer at Tate Britain, Tate Modern and the Dulwich Picture Gallery.