17th Century Dutch Painting: Art in the Garden of God
Douglas Skeggs
Dutch art is quite different to anything else at that time. It dealt with the real lives of its people: whether ordered, bawdy, self-important or tragic. This talk examines why this is so and covers Holland’s newly-acquired independence; the new Protestant mentality which allowed advances in science, how its merchant wealth was reflected in art, and its civic pride. Richly illustrated with portraits by Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Vermeer; seascapes by Van de Velde and Van Goyen and more.
Douglas Skeggs read Fine Art at Magdalene College Cambridge and has been a lecturer on paintings since 1980. In that time, he has given over 8000 lectures to universities, colleges and art societies. Among his more improbable lecture venues are the bar on the QE2, MI5 headquarters, the Captain's Room at Lloyds, and an aircraft hanger in a German NATO base. He has lectured widely overseas and led tours around Europe. He wrote and presented the Omnibus programme on Whistler and the exhibition video on William Morris. A painter himself, exhibitions of his paintings have been held in England and Switzerland. His book on Monet, River of Light, has sold 30,000 copies in England,
Doors and the bar at Thornden Hall Arts Centre open from 18.45; talks start at 19.30 and last an hour with additional time for questions. Free for members: visitors please pay £8 on the day at the signing in desk: card only.
For more information about the Arts Society Southampton and to enquire about annual membership please visit www.theartssocietysouthampton.org.uk or email info@theartssocietysouthampton.org.uk
Image: The Milkmaid, Johannes Vermeer, 1660, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
