Talks and Lectures
Forthcoming Events
Making Sense of The Ugly Duchess
In about 1513, Flemish artist Quentin Massys created a remarkable painting of an elderly woman with large ears, wide nostrils, a flabby neck and receding chin. Known as the Ugly Duchess, this arresting portrait has become one of the best loved works in the National Gallery collection. Most famously, it inspired Lewis Carroll’s Duchess in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (1865.)
Despite its fame, many aspects of the portrait remain a mystery. In this lecture, we explore what might have inspired it and examine the vibrant artistic culture of early 16th century Flanders, where the portrait was made. Prepare to take a second look at a portrait you thought you knew.
Organised by Art Historical London (RSVP below.)
9th February 2024, 11am-12pm
Quadrant Rd, Richmond TW9 1DH (or Online)
Past Events
Durer’s Rhinoceros
In 1515, the German printmaker Albrecht Durer produced a bestselling woodblock print of an Indian rhinoceros. Remarkably, Durer had never seen a rhinoceros first hand. He relied instead on written descriptions produced in Lisbon of an Indian rhinoceros, the first seen in Europe for over a thousand years.
In this talk, we explore the fate of Durer’s Rhinoceros, a gift from the ruler of the Gujarat Sultanate in Western India to Manuel II of Portugal in 1512, through the range of artistic responses it engendered. It will be a fascinating story full of twists and turns.
Organised by Art Historical London
6th October 2023, 11am-12pm
Quadrant Rd, Richmond TW9 1DH (or Online)
The Three Kings
According to the Gospel of Matthew, three wise men from the East visited Jesus shortly after his birth, bringing with them gold, frankincense and myrrh. Learn about how these mysterious figures were represented in Christian art through looking at key examples in the National Gallery’s collection.
Thursday 4th January, 4pm-5pm
Online (Zoom Event)
A Talk and Q&A for National Gallery Members
Talk and Draw : Portrait of Charlotte Cuhrt
Lecturer Isaac Nugent and artist Robin-Lee Hall explore the National Gallery’s recent acquisition Max Pechstein’s ‘Portrait of Charlotte Cuhrt’, currently featuring in the gallery’s exhibition ‘After Impressionism: Inventing Modern Art’.
First, listen to a brief talk, then respond by making your own work in this short, artist-led drawing session. Please have to hand a sharp pencil, paper and a rubber.
Part of the National Gallery’s monthly Talk and Draw event series.
16th June 2023, 4pm-5pm
Online (Zoom Event)
Saints
Have you ever wondered why some figures in Christian art carry palm branches and have gold disks floating above their heads? Learn how to identify the key saints through this short talk, which coincides with the National Gallery’s exhibition Saint Francis of Assisi.
Part of the National Gallery Friday Lates Programme for July.
21st July 2023, 7-7.45pm