E-News Bulletin December 2025

A message from our Chair, Jeanette McCauley

Thanks to all who battled transport problems and farmers’ protests in central London to attend our AGM and members lecture on 26th November. It was wonderful to see such a good turn-out, especially as the lecture was held in memory of our dear friend and former lecturer, John McNeill. I hope that you all had an opportunity to remember him over a drink afterwards.

As many of you are aware, there have been recent changes in the Committee membership, and huge thanks are due to those who have most recently stood down and not yet been thanked in the wider forum. Geoff Shepherd, our Secretary for the past 3 years, has stepped down to pursue his other volunteering interests and I’d like to particularly thank him for our close collaboration and for his support and invaluable advice since I was appointed Chair in November 2023. Maggie Stockton has for many years been an active member of the Committee and study events team and is a familiar face to those who have attended her study days, visits and walks. We have benefited greatly from her experience, ideas and wide-ranging contacts and she will be very hard to replace. Last but not least, John Dunlop has stepped down from the Committee after more than 22 years. Whilst John was given honorary life membership of the Society last year in recognition for his service, I am aware that we have many new members who will not know that during his tenure, John held the positions of Chairman, Treasurer and Webmaster, often simultaneously, and was instrumental in setting up the website, enabling online booking and putting many of our systems in place. The Society would not be where it is today without his hard work and leadership.

I am sure that you’ll join me in thanking them all and in wishing them all the very best for their future plans!

Finally, I would like to welcome our two newest Committee members, Helen Janecek who has already been helping in the study events team for well over a year, and Susan Hazledine who has taken over from Geoff Shepherd as Secretary.

SOCIETY EVENTS

Our next members lecture Sir Joshua Reynolds and the Indian Cashmere Shawl is on Tuesday January 13th at 18:00. This is an online Zoom event. This is a free event for members but booking is required.

Hanseatic Patronage: A Legacy of Art & Architecture, at Lettsom House with Dr Zoë Opačić on Friday 5th December 2025. This event is fully booked for in-person places however a recording only option is still available to book.

Places are available on our upcoming study events:

Not the Dark Ages!, a 5 week course at Lettsom House with Dr Sally Dormer on Thursdays from 8th January to 5th February 2026.

The History and Art of Heraldry at The Linnean Society of London with Adam Tuck, Lancaster Herald, on Wednesday 11th February 2026.

Understanding the Italian Renaissance: History, Society and the Rise of the Artist, a 5 week online course with Dr Dorigen Caldwell on Thursdays from 12th February to 19th March 2026.

NEW Michaelina Wautier, a study day at The Linnean Society of London with Dr Adam Sammut, on Thursday 16th April 2026.

All the above are in-person study events (except Understanding the Italian Renaissance) and are also offered on a post-event recording only basis, with recordings available to all attendees for 4 weeks.

There are also many upcoming study visits and walks:

British Library Conservation Studio Tour on Monday 8th December. The tours at 11.00 and 13.30 are now waiting list only. If there is sufficient interest, we may be able to organise a third tour.

Visit to V&A East Storehouse: Picasso backcloths and related materials on Monday 19th January. This event is now waiting list only.

NEW College of Arms Visit, at the College of Arms, with Adam Tuck, Lancaster Herald, on Thursday 26th of March.

Please bear in mind that in order for these events to go ahead, we need to cover their costs. We kindly ask that members book as early as possible to ensure that events do not need to be rescheduled or at worst, cancelled.

Current Exhibitions and Lectures in London

Last chance to see: Double Vision: Vermeer at Kenwood at Kenwood House. On now until 11th January 2026.

Members recommendation: Rising in Fire: Hantoo Art Group – The Making of Taiwan’s Art History at BlueRider ART. On now until December 31st 2025

Rory McEwen: Nature’s Song at The Garden Museum. On now until January 25th 2026

Women in Print: 150 Years of Women in Textiles at William Morris Gallery. On now until June 21st 2026

Winter Past at the Museum of the Home. On now until January 11th 2026

With thanks to Eva Bigalke, you can access and download a listing of current and future exhibitions showing in London from now until June 2026 here.

Overseas Exhibitions

Pressure was Applied! Kunsthaus Zürich, Switzerland. Open from now until 25 January 2026

Including work from Albrecht Dürer and Rembrandt to Dieter Roth, this exhibition presents over 80 prints spanning six centuries — from delicate woodcuts and masterful etchings to monumental formats — to showcase the richness and diversity of printmaking.

Michelangelo and Bologna. Palazzo Fava, Bologna, Italy. Open from now until 15 February 2026

This exhibition explores Michelangelo’s deep connections to Bologna, especially highlighting his time there during formative stays. Featuring some of his early works, rare drawings, sculptures commissioned in Bologna, alongside documents, letters, and a drawing for the tomb of Julius II.

Late Picasso. Moderna Museet, Stockholm, Sweden. Open from now until 5 April 2026

This exhibition showcases around fifty paintings and thirty works on paper by Pablo Picasso from the final decade of his life (1963–1972).

If you wish to recommend other overseas exhibitions that may be of interest to fellow members please contact our Communications Coordinator.