The Queen of Instruments: The Lute Within Old Master Paintings

The next meeting of the Arts Society South West London

This month's talk is on Monday 12 February and is by Adam Busiakiewicz. It is entitled 'The Queen of Instruments: The Lute Within Old Master Paintings'.

The lute was important in art as a device often used to express differing aspects of the human character. For example, painters of the Italian Renaissance depicted golden haired angels plucking its delicate strings to evoke the celestial harmony of the heavens. The lecture, with live music, will follow the symbolism and significance of the instrument, beginning in the Renaissance and finishing in the 18th century with Watteau.

Adam Busiakiewicz was Head of Historical Interpretation at Warwick Castle. He has an MA in Fine and Decorative Art from the Sotheby’s Institute. The youngest Guide Lecturer at the Wallace Collection, he regularly gives talks to both public and professional audiences.

The South West London branch of the Arts Society which has been running for over 40 years has a strong active membership but welcomes visitors to its monthly lectures on the second Monday of the month.  The group is affiliated to the the Arts Society, which has recently changed its name from the National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies (NADFAS). Their objective, through lectures and visits, is to broaden our knowledge and appreciation of the decorative and fine arts.



The lectures take place at Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Hall, Dryburgh Road, SW15 1BL. Speakers are leaders in their field and the subjects are varied as you see from the programme below. Doors open at 7.30 for a 8.00 pm start. A short waiting list is held for those interested in becoming members.

2018
12 February
The Queen of Instruments: The Lute within Old Master Paintings
Lecturer: Adam Busiakiewicz

12 March
The Magnificent Maya: Fact and Fantasy
Lecturer: Diana Davies

14 May
The Wallace and Frick Collections and their Connection with Knole
Lecturer: Hilary Williams

11 June
Dazzle: Disguise and Disruption in War and Art
Lecturer: James Taylor

9 July
Plants in Art: Carl Linnaeus
Lecturer: Mark Spencer

10 September
MacDonald Gill, Architect, Artist and Mapmaker
Lecturer: Caroline Walker.

8 October
Zaha Hadid: Architectural Superstar
Lecturer: Colin Davies

12 November
World War I: Poetry, Art and Music, Wilfred Owen and his Contemporaries
Lecturer: Dennis Moriarty

10 December
Celebrating the Royal Academy of Arts: 250th Anniversary, 1768-2018
Lecturer: Pamela Campbell-Johnston