Vincent Van Gogh: Madman or Genius?

​We are all aware of the recent exhibitions and the remarkable prices realised for this humble artist's work.  Most of us appreciate the beauty of his efforts, but how much to we know about the man himself? The lecture considers why no art historian today denies his genius , despite ’Vincent’ never selling a painting and his committing suicide in poverty.  Though seeming so extreme and exceptional, the tragic story of his loveless life is deeply moving and his humanity makes a lasting impression.  Extraordinary little known facts are to be revealed in the lecture while we enjoy the remarkable range of his talent.

"Tom Thomson and the ‘Group of Seven’: Painters Inspired by the Canadian Landscape"

Reception: 
Drinks will be served in the Main Hall at Moor Park Mansion.  

Lecture: 
From 1912 Tom Thomson and  the ‘Group of Seven’ revolutionised Canadian painting.  Some were war artists who went on to produce wonderful portraits and townscapes, but all were  inspired by the Canadian landscape and the wilderness to the ‘north’.  The early focus was on Algonquin Park near Toronto – into which Tom Thompson mysteriously disappeared in 1917.  The others continued throughout the 1920s and 1930s and moulded the way Canadians looked at their land.  The talk will discuss the main artists within the group  (including FH Varley, Lawren Harris and AY Jackson) and show many of their defining paintings.
 

For those who have also booked Dinner: 
After the lecture you are invited to join our Chairman for her three course retirement dinner.  There is a choice of starters, main courses and desserts.  Please select from the attached form and return with your cheque by 25 May 2020.  We are delighted to say that the lecture and dinner will be accompanied by classical guitarist Charlie Reston.  

Black tie is optional for the evening.
 

Cocktails and the Fashion Conscious: Jewellery of the 1940s and 1950s

Susan is an independent jewellery specialist based at her Gallery in Harrogate.  She has an established career as a lecturer in the history of jewellery and design and shares her wealth of knowledge through a variety of courses, lectures and jewellery lunches.  

Susan is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths running courses on fakes and forgeries in jewellery and silver and is one of the team of specialists on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.  

There MAY be time for Susan to look at any jewellery brought to the Study Day, we will have to see how time goes.

Square Mile Curios: 

The London Mithraeum is an ancient Roman temple often considered to be the most famous Roman discovery in London (head of Mithras in Phrygian cap - Londinium 180 - 220 AD, picture left).  The Guildhall Art Gallery is home to the City of London Corporation's magnificent art collection and the quirky Police Museum which showcases many rarely seen fascinating items dating back to 1839.  A varied and fascinating day out in the heart of the old Square Mile.