As a change from our normal diet of family history, February’s meeting was on the subject of Art History. Jasmine Kee gave us a quick guide to Western/European art history and identified five of the recognised periods, pointing out the characteristics of each style, with examples of the artists and their work.
Renaissance Art 1400-1600
- Sandro Botticelli The Birth of Venus c.1485
- Leonardo da Vinci Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) c.1510
- Michelangelo The Creation of Adam c.1511
Baroque Art 1600-1750
- Rubens The Three Graces c.1630
- Caravaggio The Taking of Christ 1602
- Rembrandt The Night Watch 1642
Post-Impressionism 1886-1905
- Van Gogh Self-portrait with dark felt hat 1886
- Gauguin Self-portrait 1903
- Cézanne The card players 1890
Surrealism 1924-1966
- Salvador Dali Lobster telephone 1938
- Dorothea Tanning Eine Kleine Nachtmusik 1943
- René Magritte The Son of Man 1964
Abstract expressionism 1940-
- Jackson Pollock One: Number 31, 1950
- Jean-Paul Riopelle untitled 1953
This was followed by a quiz of five paintings to identify. The audience did well, giving the answers: Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keeffe, Michelangelo, Johannes Vermeer and Paula Rego.
Finally, Jasmine went on to talk about the association with Worcestershire of J M W Turner and Paul Nash. It was decided that Worcestershire do not make enough of their association with these two.