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.

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