In the spirit of Michelangelo’s remark about “seeing an angel in a block of marble and carving until I set him free”, so too has the story of modern sculpture been a process by which artists have discovered new purpose, meaning and motifs in the materials and processes of the modern industrial world. These dramatic shifts in style and technique have defined the development of modern sculpture.

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Following the National Gallery of London’s exhibition of the same title, this lecture gives a heady mixture of ‘superstar’ painter, immensely rich patrons on the move and a city whose modern face hides behind a romantic mask. These are magical paintings by an Italian artist greatly influenced by British taste and Britain boasts the greatest collection of his works, both in public and private hands.

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Cities renew themselves on different time scales. Buildings can be short lived, but streets and squares can last for centuries. In old European cities there are streets that people have walked along for 2000 years. These are the Cities of Memory, the physical counterparts of written history. But in the 20th century a new urban vision was born. Planners and architects began to make plans for future cities based on functional criteria – the Cities of Prophecy.

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For the series Downton Abbey, Andrew was commissioned to produce a range of jewellery for the main characters. This talk is based on the changing styles of the time portrayed. Jewellery and Fashion are intertwined and in his talk Andrew guides us through the extraordinary periods and events between 1890 and 1929, where the great fashion houses collaborated with the finest of jewellers to produce works of art of outstanding quality and glittering opulence. Along with this he discusses the clients and patrons who commissioned the jewels and how they were worn with the sumptuous gowns.

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This lecture traces the origins, and myths, that surround Imperial Chinese Silk. Initial consideration focuses on the period from Neolithic times (4000BC) through to the start of the Ming Dynasty in 1368 and traces the establishment of Imperial Weaving and Embroidery Workshops which produced Court Costume and decorative textiles for Imperial Palaces. The technological and artistic skills required for this ‘industry’ to flourish will be explored as will the relationship of the Imperial Workshops with commercial weavers and embroiderers. Workshops were producing an ever-increasing range of silk fabrics and the role of commercial workshops supported Imperial, domestic and export demands.

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The talk offers an illustrated story of researching the Boyd Ceramic collection to decide on a variety of works for exhibition. Based on the relationship between Arthur Boyd and his father Merric, the lecture will discuss individual works and how each work relates to the story of the Boyd’s interest in ceramics.

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In 2004 Grace Cochrane was invited to speak on the topic of Contemporary Metalwork at a Symposium at West Dean in Sussex, UK, organised by the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. Grace will provide audiences with an insight in to current practices of metal workers, and will included a range of images of contemporary work.

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After the civil war American artists, increasingly influenced by French art, became more diverse and adventurous. The grandiose landscapes of the “Hudson River” school were superseded by works depicting atmospheric and transient effects. A vibrant art market was fuelled by a new class of wealthy patron, new galleries, dealers and art journals. Impressionism became a highly important art form. Meanwhile, the “Ashcan” painters attempted something dramatically new: depicting life in the overcrowded cities as the country’s new industrial power was fuelled by massive immigration. This was a new art form and truly American.

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This lecture is about the transition of the printed map, from a highly decorative production with little accuracy, to a more austere document of great accuracy. From the great Incunables of the 15th century, the travelogues of the mid 16th century, the magnificent Dutch atlases of the 17th century, to the school atlas of mid 1850, and the specialist thematic and topographic maps thereafter. Beautifully illustrated, this lecture reflects the milestones of history

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In 1830 Delacroix set off for Africa and wrote wonderful journals which we will consider. This lecture will examine his responses to a new country which he saw as exotic, and will discuss why later artists such as Matisse and Kandinsky followed in search of some of his magic. The lecture will look at Delacroix’ working methods and his use of colour and understanding of the light which so inspired him in Africa

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