Special notice, (early- March 2026 only)
THURSDAY 12th MARCH, 2pm to 3pm
FREE Online Art history talk: Rouen’s artistic heritage: from Monasteries to Monet
This one-hour richly-illustrated, online lecture focuses on the glorious art and architecture of Normandy, and particularly of its splendid, historic capital, Rouen.
I will highlight some of the treasures we will visit on our upcoming tour to France in May – although please note this talk is free and entirely open to all, with no commitments expected or sought
(meaning everyone is very welcome, whether coming to Rouen or not).
During the talk, you’ll see some of the world-class French Gothic architecture in Rouen itself (Normandy’s ancient, highly picturesque capital).
Then we look at three of the medieval monasteries dotted along the nearby, beautiful, Seine valley.
Expect cryptically-coded Romanesque sculpture, and romantic ruins in the Norman countryside.
We’ll then return, so to speak, to Rouen, to look at some of the artistic treasures within its excellent Musée des Beaux Arts. Here we will discuss works by Caravaggio, by Rubens, Paulo Veronese, as well as French masters from the French Renaissance onward, up to Paul Delaroche, Ingres, Delacroix, Pissarro and Monet.
This should be a fun and interesting talk.
Join us if you can.
All are very welcome.
Places are free, but must be booked in advance please.
Simply use this link if you would like to register for the free talk
(Please ensure you fill out your email correctly: otherwise we cannot send you the link) and please register by 12pm on Tuesday 10th March at the latest.
We will then send all registered attendees two links, (although not at the same time)
Firstly, you will receive the confirmation email, and please note that this contains the link to join the live talk (which is a Zoom call)
That Zoom call starts 2pm sharp, Thurs 12th March) (log-on by 1.55pm). and it will take between 50 to 60 minutes.
Much later, after the talk, we will also send the link to the recorded version too.
This will be available within 24 hours, with everyone is welcome to access and watch anytime up to Thursday 27th March.
We look forward to welcoming some of you to this online art talk.
If you have not previously attended any of our annual online art lectures, we would be delighted to have you experience the way that we teach art history and appreciation online.
All are very welcome.
Other news: our overseas trip to Rouen and Normandy
We have four places left for our upcoming trip to Rouen and Normandy,
which is going to be a real treat. Everyone is welcome.
These tours tend to be very convivial, as well as hugely enjoyable and educational.
You can see more details on the itineraries, inclusions, price, and on how to reserve one of the remaining spots, here.
Our annual, online winter Art Talks.
Every winter for the last six years, since January of 2020, we have offered an annual series of friendly, accessible, online Art History and Appreciation talks to our guests. Everyone is welcome.
The talks usually take place once a week, delivered live online, at 2PM (GMT) every afternoon in January and February and typically last for eight weeks. The talks are also recorded and these recordings are then made available to everyone who had subscribed to ten talks, with the talks available to watch and enjoy for at least 3 weeks after each talk was first delivered.
In 2020 we offered an introductory talk to Western Art, focusing on a selection artistic giants, like van Eyck and Raphael
In 2021 it was the Art of the Veneto, in North-east Italy, featuring the remarkable art of cities like Padua, Vicenza and Verona.
In 2022 it was Venice, as we enjoyed the art and architecture of la Serenissima, featuring Vittore Carpaccio, Giovanni Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto, et al
In 2023 we made a virtual visit to Florence, with an introductory tour of its extraordinary, world famous art history. (See below)
In 2025 we tackled the vast subject of the Art of Rome, from the time of the Caesars to the early 19th century. (See below)
Earlier his year (2026) we offered an introduction to the extraordinary Art of France,
looking at Masterpieces of French Art.
The Florence series of talks, and the Rome series of talks, are both now available to buy (as recorded talks)
The Art of France talks series – also known as Masterpieces of French Art – has only recently concluded,
These talks will be available to buy soon, as recorded talks.
All or any talks that are available to buy will appear if you press the green, on-screen button, and then navigate to Art Talks.
Why our guests love the annual winter art talks.
- Learn to look at and appreciate art.
- Explore hundreds of beautiful images,
- Learn about the context in which artworks were made, from medieval workshops to 19th century artists studios
- Learn how to “read a painting”, for clues and symbolism.
- Gain a better understanding of ideas like composition,
- and the importance of patronage.
- Gain a better understanding of historic painting, sculpture and architecture.
- Learn how artistic influence moved from artist to artist, through different “schools” and workshops, between different regions and countries.
About the speaker:
Arran Henderson studied Art History at Oxford Brooks, and later at the University of Rhode Island, Central Saint Martin’s London, the National College of Art and Design, and Trinity College Dublin.
He has written on various aspects of art, art history and material culture for a wide range of publications including The Irish Art Review; and taught Art History at A-Level. Arran has led over 100 acclaimed private tours in museums like the Hugh Lane Gallery, the Chester Beatty Library, and the National Gallery of Ireland.
2026 was the 6th year of the annual, winter art talks
Arran has recently starting bringing groups on art excursions abroad, with the inaugural overseas art trip exploring Venice in October-November of 2025. In May of 2026, our second trip will explore Rouen and Normandy. In March or April of 2027 we will bring a group to Rome.