17 January
RIVER OF ENGLAND – Turner and the Thames
One of Turner’s most enduring subjects was found on his doorstep in London. Nicola examines Turner’s engagement with the river Thames. From Oxford to the estuary, he explored its views, moods, cultural and national symbolism. By the end of his life the Thames had inspired some of his most innovative and celebrated works.
Nicola Moorby
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Visit to Chichester Cathedral – behind the scenes tour on Wednesday 8th February
21 February
THE GENIUS OF ANTONIO STRADIVARI
Toby, on a return visit, explores the genius of Antonio Stradivarius 250 years after his death. His violins and cellos remain the most highly prized instruments, capable of fetching fabulous sums when sold. Every violin maker has tried to match them. This lecture follows some of Stradivarius’s instruments from workshop to the present day. The story travels from Vienna to New York illustrated with pictures of violins, key individuals and locations. It includes some short musical recordings.
Toby Faber
Followed by WELCOME PARTY FOR NEW MEMBERS
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Visit to Champs Hill on Monday 24 April
* Day of Special Interest on Wednesday 10th May
21 March
THE DANCING FAUN
A small bronze statue which had been in Bertie’s grandfather’s garden for 40 years was discovered to be a masterpiece, ending up in the Getty Museum. Andriaen De Vries (c1556 -1626) was a northern Mannerist sculptor in the Netherlands. He was a technical virtuoso creating bronzes for the most discerning patrons of his time.
Bertie Pearce
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Visit to Champs Hill on Monday 24 April
* Day of Special Interest on Wednesday 10th May
18 April
BLENHEIM PALACE – The Agony and the Ecstasy
The story of Blenheim Palace’s construction is a fascinating catalogue of excess and outrage while the result is both monstrous and utterly sublime. The lecture explores the characters involved; generations of Marlboroughs and Churchill, who was voted as ‘The greatest Briton of all time’. Anthony marvels at the genius of Vanburgh and considers the real impact that the Palace has had on the nation.
Anthony Russell
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Visit to Champs Hill on Monday 24 April
* Day of Special Interest on Wednesday 10th May
* Visit to Parham House & Gardens on Thursday 25th May
* St Mary’s, Bramber on Wednesday 7th June
10 May
DAY OF SPECIAL INTEREST
THE SEINE – RIVER OF LIGHT AND ARTIST’S DELIGHT
Home to Impressionism
See Events page for details.
Carole Pettifer
16 May
CRACKING GLASS
Mark, an Antiques Road Show celebrity, gives us an overview of Britain’s ‘big four’ post war glass companies comprising Whitefriars, King’s Lynn (Wedgwood), Caithness and Dartington. Special slides examine, compare and contrast ‘Good, better and best’ examples, from each company. The current glut of Whitefriars fakes are covered, including tips on how to spot them.
Mark Hill
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* St Mary’s, Bramber on Wednesday 7th June
* Chichester – guided walk on Wednesday 12th July
20 June
MATISSE: La Joie de Vivre
After Caroline’s lecture to us on Scandinavian art some of our members requested that she return with her talk on Matisse. He was born on the last day of 1869 and died in Nice in 1954. He was a draughtsman, printmaker and sculptor but is best known for his painting, especially his use of colour.
Caroline Levisse
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Chichester – guided walk on Wednesday 12th July
* Buckingham Palace & Royal Gardens on Thursday 7th September
18 July
BLACK ARTISTS – Working in Britain since the 1980s
Through the lens of British history and politics this lecture assesses the artistic contribution of several black artists, introducing the styles and influences, addressing issues of colonialism in British museums. The talk includes themes of racism, slavery, colonialism and violence.
Helen Oakden
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Buckingham Palace & Royal Gardens on Thursday 7th September
* Houses of Parliament – Friday 20 October
19 September
SALVADOR DALI – 20th Century Renaissance Artist
Salvador Dali did not restrict his creative output to painting. He was also a writer, poet, engraver, sculptor, architect, photographer, theatre designer and jewellery designer. He
was an omnivorous reader who was as interested in science as he was in art. This lecture looks at Dali the designer and science enthusiast.
Julia Musgrave
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Houses of Parliament – Friday 20 October
17 October
AGM; followed by
FAKES AND FORTUNES
(or have I discovered a Constable in my attic?!)
Sarah has examined over 250 works from collections worldwide, from tiny oil sketches on fragments of canvas, paper supports and boards to the ‘six footers’. She has worked on the BBC’s Fake or Fortune? series. Sarah looks at how such decisions are made and will describe some extraordinary successes but also crashing disappointments.
Sarah Cove
AND – Tickets on sale for;
* Festive Drinks & Mince Pies on Tuesday 21st November
21 November
THE MAGIC OF PANTOMIME
The history of this enduring and peculiarly British institution from the 16th C to the Music Hall of the 19th C still loved by families today. Ian talks about the traditions and his experiences of appearing in pantomime professionally.
Ian Gledhill
Followed by FESTIVE DRINKS AND MINCE PIES