One of the most famous pictures in London's National Gallery is The Arnolfini Portrait painted by Jan van Eyck in 1434. No one is quite sure if it represents a wedding, a betrothal or even a commemoration. It's an image filled with symbolism as are many of van Eyck's works which is one of the many joys of exploring them; some of the pictures give up their secrets slowly, so minute are the details created by van Eyck's brush. Other works explore the superiority of paint over stone. Some of them, at a glance, appear to show astonishingly realistic sculptures, but closer inspection shows them to be painted.

Lecturer: Imogen Corrigen 

After nearly 20 years in the British army, went to the University of Kent to study Anglo-Saxon & Medieval History and Art, graduating with 1st class honours, followed by an MPhil from the University of Birmingham. Works as a freelance lecturer across Britain and Europe as well as lecturing on small cruise ships and running study tours and courses on land. Has written Stone on Stone: the Men Who Built the Cathedrals, published 2019. A Freeman of the City of London, being a Member of the Company of Communicators. Advisor on memorials and monuments for Canterbury's Diocesan Advisory Committee.

Early Christians celebrated Christmas at the same time as the ancient Romans were feasting and partying for their pagan Saturnalia festival. Many of the pagan habits were therefore absorbed into our Christmas traditions. Present-giving, holly and even party-hats all have their origins in this 2000-year-old party. This talk will revel in artwork that is ancient and modern as we unwrap the images and stories behind our festive season.

Lecturer: Gilllian Hovell BA (Hons) Latin and Ancient History, Exeter Iniversity, and then branched out into archaaeology,  Ex-BBC Lecturer for British Museum and York University,

This lecture compares and contrasts the lives and work of two great artists, Hokusai and Turner. They were contemporaries and there are many parallels to be drawn between their respective lives. Both shared humble beginnings and both displayed great confidence in their maverick talents. Yet while Turner was eventually welcomed by the art establishment of his day, Hokusai was never accepted by his peers. In this lecture, through comparing the two artists, a greater understanding can be gained of the differing roles art played in the societies where they emerged.

Lecturer : Carol Wilhide Justin

Carol Wilhide Justin is an artist-printmaker who specialises in Japanese woodcut. In 2014 Carol was awarded a residency at the MI-LAB studio, Fujikawaguchiko, Japan, where she was taught the mokuhanga technique by Japanese sensei. She graduated from the Royal College of Art in 2017 with an MA in Print. She has exhibited in a number of independent shows and larger mixed exhibitions such as the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and Bankside Gallery. Her work is held in private and public collections including Clifford Chance, The Ashmolean and The V&A. She also teaches Japanese Woodcut at The Slade, Morley College, The City Literary Institute and The Art Academy.

In 2022 she was commissioned by the Crowood Press to write a book on Japanese Woodcut. It is titled "Japanese Woodcut- Traditional Techniques and Contemporary Practice" and was published in January 2024.

Theatrical scene design is one of the world's most beautiful, varied and lively art forms. In his talk, Bertie looks at the relationship between actor and audience and how this transformed the space and architecture of theatre throughout the ages. Beginning with the Greeks and their remarkable innovations to pageants, masques, liturgical drama, through the science of perspective, to court theatre. A quick glance at Commedia dell'arte before entering the Elizabethan stage of the Globe and the Fortune and arriving at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane.

Lecturer : Bertie Pearce

Has a BA (Hons) in Drama from Manchester University, and a Diploma Internationale from the École Internationale du Théatre, Jacques Lecoq. A member of the Inner Magic Circle, with Gold Star. Past experience includes lecturing and performing on cruise ships, and to U3A, historical societies, festivals, schools and colleges. In addition, has toured the world with a magic cabaret show and a one man show entitled All Aboard. Has written articles for newspapers and magazines on entertainment and theatre.

The last time St Paul’s Cathedral was deprived of music for a long period was after the devastating Fire of London in 1666. But in 1697 Christopher Wren was able to triumphantly declare RESURGAM as the phoenix rose from the ashes. Patrick will look at music from either side of this momentous event. He will also guide us through the finest repertoire from across the Cathedral’s liturgical year. Escorted by a selection of his favourite photographs, music and videos he will aim to convey the glories of twenty-five years of singing in this extraordinary building. 

Lecturer : Patrick Craig

Patrick Craig is a Vicar Choral at St Paul’s Cathedral. For twenty years he combined this with an international career singing over a thousand concerts with the world-renowned early music consort The Tallis Scholars. He also sings with the award-winning group The Cardinall’s Musick. He founded and conducts this country’s leading all-female professional choir, Aurora Nova. He has conducted concerts for the BBC Proms, the Brighton, Lichfield and Aldeburgh Festivals, and with the City of London Sinfonia. As a Cambridge history graduate with a lifelong interest in the arts, he has gone on to lead choral workshops for amateur singers across the world, where he places music in its historical and cultural context. He regularly lectures for the St Paul’s Adult Education programme and for John Hall’s Venice Courses, which have allowed him to incorporate his interests in theology, art and poetry.  In 2020, when his singing and conducting work disappeared overnight as a result of the Covid pandemic, Patrick poured all his experience into online presentations which have raised vital funds for the Help Musicians Charity.

'Haunt me, then!  Be with me always - take any form - drive me mad...'     Wuthering Heights    Since the middle of the 19th century there has been intense fascination with the lives and works of the Bronte sisters; or, as one critic coined it, ‘Brontemania’.  Their novels – and life stories - have entered the public imagination through countless stage and screen adaptations; their Yorkshire home has long been a place of pilgrimage for Bronte fans from across the world; and Bronte lives and writings continue to inspire the work of authors, artists and musicians.

Lecturer : Annalie Talent

Following a career in teaching, Annalie spent several years working on education programmes at museums and literary houses across the UK, including the Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere; Wordsworth House in Cockermouth; Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire; and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. At Jane Austen’s House, Annalie won the Sandford Award for Excellence in Heritage Education; she also worked with the British Library, the Bodleian Library, and Chawton House Library in promoting Austen’s work to young people.  Annalie’s lectures focus on aspects of Romantic and Victorian literature. She uses her knowledge and personal experience of literary houses - and their collections - to offer a unique perspective on writers and their works

Bursa, Edirne and Istanbul contain a wealth of Ottoman art and architecture, the heritage of a great empire which lasted over 500 years. Domed mosques with elegant minarets dominate the skyline, majestic tombs stand in gardens, and fountains play in courtyards and streets. The Sultans’ palaces, vast complexes of pavilions, courts and gardens, display collections of treasures which belonged to their former masters. Echoes of the past linger in the labyrinth which was the imperial harem. Mosques, tombs and palaces are embellished with superb Iznik tiles while caravanserais and covered bazaars reflect the vibrant commercial life of the Ottoman Empire. 

Lecturer : Sue Rollin

Works as a tour guide and lecturer on India, Central Asia, the Mediterranean and Middle East, and as a freelance interpreter for international organisations including the European Union and United Nations. Formerly staff interpreter at the European Commission in Brussels and tutor and lecturer in Assyriology and Ancient History at the Universities of London and Cambridge. Has worked as an archaeologist. Publications: Blue Guide: Jordan and Istanbul: A Traveller's Guide.

A chronological history of the outstanding and diverse Devonshire collection told through the interests, characters and tastes of its collectors over 16 generations, from Elizabethan beginnings to the current Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and their family. Each generation has left its mark on the collections, whether as connoisseurs, passionate and enthusiastic patrons and acquirers, fortuitous marriage, or the occasional benign indifference, and it is fascinating to see how these diverse personalities, linked only by family, have contributed to what is now considered one of the finest surviving family collections in Europe.

Lecturer : Simon Seligman

Having grown up wanting to be an architect, Simon studied art and architectural history at Warwick University, which included a compulsory term living in Venice, an experience of cultural immersion from which he is still recovering! For 19 years until 2010, he worked at the great treasure house of Chatsworth, in Derbyshire, in a variety of roles, starting with a summer job cleaning lavatories and car parking, and ending as Head of Communications. During that time, he lectured extensively about Chatsworth, its collections and associated topics, throughout the UK and USA, and he continues to lecture on a range of cultural topics. Since then he has also trained as a Life Coach, working with people one-to-one to support their life and career choices, and he works part time for John Ruskin’s educational and arts charity, the Guild of St George. For more than 30 years he has lived with his family in the heart of Derbyshire's beautiful Peak District.

The many ways water is used in gardens is explored in this talk – from Roman villas to monastic cloisters and medieval walled gardens, before the glories of the Renaissance fountains and the development of the cascade in the 1560s. The world’s longest cascade is near Naples, while the most lavish is at Peterhof near St Petersburg. The further development of the fountain is outlined, including the world’s tallest gravity-fed fountain (in a Cotswold garden), while artificial waterfalls also have their place as gardens became more natural in the 18th century.

Lecturer : David Winpenny

Studied English at Birmingham University and taught for several years before joining the Countryside Commission as Co-ordinator of its National Parks Campaign. Worked for the Central Office of Information in Leeds before setting up own public relations company. Author of 'Up to a Point - in search of pyramids in Britain and Ireland' and has written and contributed to several books for the AA. Has written for BBC Countryfile Magazine and English Heritage magazine.  He is co-chairman of Ripon Civic Society and lectures on architectural and related subjects on cruise ships and on dry land.