18 January
DEAD SHARKS and OLIGARCHS
Inside the Art Market of the 21st Century
The international art market now sees breath-taking prices paid for works of art. How do these crazy prices come about and who is buying? Are there ‘behind the scenes’ deals and is money laundering involved? Are these prices encouraging fakes and forgeries?
NOTE: This meeting will be held online via Zoom.
Tom Flynn
15 February
THE COLLECTIONS of NAPOLEON and JOSEPHINE at CHATEAU de MALMAISON
An insight into one of history’s most famous couples.
Bought by the couple as a private retreat, Chateau de Malmaison was converted into a National Museum in 1905. It houses a huge collection of paintings, room layouts, personal objects and porcelain.
Carol Petipher
AND – Tickets on sale for;
- Visit to Christs Hospital on Thursday 24 March
Followed by WELCOME PARTY FOR NEW MEMBERS.
15 March
THE GEORGIAN JEWEL
A window opening onto a forgotten world
Jewellery is largely misunderstood. John talks about an innovative and fascinating period of jewel design. He explores key themes, inspirations and gems from Queen Anne’s diamonds to William IV’s sumptuous Parures. John is a well known popular expert on the Antiques Roadshow.
John Benjamin
AND – Tickets on sale for;
- Visit to Christs Hospital on Thursday 24 March
- Visit to Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 12 May
19 April
CHINESE IMPERIAL COURT COSTUME of the QING DYNASTY (1644-1911)
A journey through the Imperial Wardrobe
David will talk about the formal court costume and insignia of rank worn by the Imperial family, civil and military officials, the Emperor’s wardrobe from state robes and regalia to private and the clothing, headwear and ornament of high ranking ladies.
David Rosier
AND – Tickets on sale for;
- Visit to Royal Albert Hall on Thursday 12 May
- Visit to Champs Hill on Thursday 19 May
17 May
NEW! THE KOH-I-NOOR – The most famous Diamond in the World
Georgina Bexon
AND – Tickets on sale for;
- Visit to Champs Hill on Thursday 19 May
- Visit to Midhurst on Monday 11 July
21 June
ART of the STEAL
Nazi looting during WW2
The Nazis looted over 20% of Western art during WW2, confiscating art from Jewish families and emptying museums throughout Europe. Shauna discusses Hitler’s obsession with art and how the ‘Monuments Men’ recovered art after the war.
Shauna Isaac
AND – Tickets on sale for;
- Visit to Midhurst on Monday 11 July
19 July
THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS of MARC CHAGALL
A transparent partition between my heart and the heart of the world
Chagall was in his 70s when he first experimented with stained glass in the late 1950s. It remains, however, a relatively little known aspect of his prodigious output. Monica is the author of several books and essays on Chagall and will examine the range of his work, not only for churches large and small, but also for a synagogue and secular buildings.
Monica Bohm-Duchen
20 September
BREUGEL
The seasons of the world
In 1565 Pieter Breugel was commissioned to create a series of paintings for a dining room in Antwerp, charting the course of the year. Gavin explores how Breugel pioneered a new way of thinking about the environment and our individual places within a shifting cosmos.
Gavin Plumley
18 October
AGM at 10am. Doors open at 9:30am
BEHIND the SCENES at the NATIONAL GALLERY
In 2024 the National Gallery celebrates its 200th anniversary
Sian talks about some of the nation’s best loved paintings in a new light and discusses what goes on behind the scenes in the restoration, conservation, framing and scientific departments. She reveals hidden secrets of the masterpieces.
Sian Walters
15 November
CHRISTMAS with GILES, GRANDMA and the FAMILY
This talk looks at the life and work with particular emphasis on his seasonal cartoons. So popular were the Giles Annuals as Christmas presents that they helped to make him Britain’s best loved, most successful and wealthiest cartoonist
Barry Venning
Followed by FESTIVE DRINKS AND MINCE PIES