2 Audley Square
Mayfair, London W1K
UK
Established in 1994, THE COURSE offers exciting and innovative lectures in the History of Art, Literature, Music and Opera.
In “Foreigners in London”, Leslie Primo will discuss why the aristocracy preferred foreign painters to native-born English ones? Why did foreigners come in the first place? What was their motivation and what was the impact of foreigners on English art and art practice? This course will trace foreign artists from the Tudors to the Neo-Classical looking at their origins and how they came to work in England.
PETER LELY (1618-1680) ‘A mighty proud man, full of state’
Peter Lely came from Westphalia and dominated painting in London both at the time of Charles I and during the interregnum times of Oliver Cromwell. We will explore his intense interest in the Classical world, his major works and influences, and how he managed to steer a careful course among London’s patrons during a most turbulent time in English history.