Courtauld Summer School

Another brilliant week at the Courtauld Summer School.

This year I look the course called “Nike to Angel” with Dr Cecil Hennessy which looked at how early Christian iconography evolved from classical themes plus how the iconography developed. Cecil was a wonderfully clear, logical lecturer and really encouraged ideas and participation.

There was a series of ten lectures giving an overview of the topic then looking at different artistic mediums from the period such as ivories, mosaics and metalwork.

We had some really good sessions in the museums going to the V&A and the British Museum twice. The second session at the British Museum was brilliant as it was a handling session. We thought we’d see second rank pieces but when we arrived the curator had out pieces we’d looked at on the previous visit. We handled (in gloves) a wonderful apotheosis ivory with textured elephants, the wonderful casket from a treasure hoard, a fantastic smooth vessel with a perfectly fitting lid and most moving of all a sort of good luck charm with a very early example of a crucifixion.

I just wish I could do two weeks!

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