A Golden Age of British Portraiture? The Eighteenth Century

Excellent five-week online course from the London Art History Society on 18th century British portraiture.

Prasannajit de Silva led us clearly through the topic starting by looking at the practicalities of producing the work and setting the scene then looking at how the work was seen and disseminated.

Over the next weeks he talked us through various themes and genres of portraiture from the conversation piece, through fame and ending with families with excellent illustrations and clear descriptions of the works.

He also had a useful week on the two main styles of portraiture in the age which became a good introduction to the two stars of the era Reynolds and Gainsborough.

I learnt a lot from the course and it makes me want to spend more time going round the country houses of Britain to play spot the painting.


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