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E-News Bulletin June 2025

SOCIETY EVENTS

Our next members lecture is fast approaching! The Chapel of Carlo Spiafame, ‘native of Lucca’, in Avignon Cathedral presented by Dr Geoffrey Nuttall will take place on the 10th of June, in person at The art Workers’ Guild. There is no fee but booking is required. Dr Nuttall has kindly agreed for a post-event recording of this event to be made available for 4 weeks.

There are still places on several upcoming study events including:

American Art in the 1960s led by Ben Street, taking place later this month on Tuesday 24th and Wednesday 25th of June.

Imperial Garden Cities: Babylon, Palmyra, Samarkand, Agra a study day led by Sue Rollin on Friday 4th July.

All the above study days and courses are offered as in-person events at Lettsom House and post event recordings.

Rethinking the History of Architecture in England 1530-1830 an online Zoom study event presented by Steven Brindle on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th September is also open for booking. The recording will be available for 4 weeks.

There are also several upcoming study visits and walks:

The Exterior and Immediate Environs of St Paul’s Cathedral – St Bride’s Church and Museum a study walk and visit led by Yvonne Jackman on Friday 11th July.

Heiress: Sargent’s American Portraits Curator’s Tour at Kenwood House led by Ella Letort on Friday 8th August is now waiting list only.

Visit to Worcester Cathedral led by Dr Hugh Doherty on Wednesday 3rd September.

You may wish to save the following date in your diaries:

  • Tuesday 30th September: Gertrude Stein and Paris study day, led by Kathy McLauchlan at Lettsom House.
  • Friday 10th October: Visit to William Morris Society and Emery Walker House.
  • Wednesday 22nd October: Pharoecian Objects online study day by Professor Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones.
  • Monday 8th December: Tour of the British Library Conservation Studio.

Please bear in 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

Foundling Museum Lecture: 18th-Century British Painting: Caricature. Given by Dr Matthew Morgan. 6 June at 15:00 – 16:00. Available online or in person. In person tickets include museum entry. 

The new V&A storehouse opened in East London on Saturday May 31st.

Unearthed: The Power of Gardening at The British Library. On now until August 10th.

Dress Codes; Decoding the Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection at Kensington Palace. On now until November 30th. 

With thanks to Eva Bigalke, you can access and download a listing of current and future exhibitions showing in London from now until December 2025 here.

Overseas Exhibitions

From Botticelli to Mucha. Beauty, Nature, Seduction  Musei Reali in Turin, Italy. Until 27th July

With over 100 works including paintings, drawings, and ancient sculptures, this exhibition is a journey into seduction and beauty told through myth, nature and the feminine universe. The exhibition includes art objects from the Royal Museums of Turin and the Uffizi Galleries. 

Gustav Klimt – Pigment & Pixel Belvedere Museum, Vienna, Austria. Until 7th September 

This exhibition uses eight Klimt paintings from the Belvedere’s collection to present the results of radiological investigations and studies of material technology performed on his works in recent years.

Wolfgang Tillmans – Nothing could have prepared us Everything could have prepared us The Centre Pompidou, Paris, France. Until 22nd September

To conclude the program within the building, which will close for five years of renovation, Tillmans has been given carte blanche to take over the Bibliothèque publique d’information (Bpi). Tillmans’ photographic work delves into the profound transformation of media and information platforms in our times.

Paula Rego and Adriana Varejão – Between your Teeth Centro de Arte Moderna Gulbenkian, Lisbon, Portugal. Until 22nd September.

This exhibition features around 80 works by two internationally recognised artists: Paula Rego (Lisbon, 1935 – London, 2022) and Adriana Varejão (Rio de Janeiro, 1964).

Books of Hours a History in Objects Chateau De Chantilly, Chantilly, France. 7th June to 6th October.

The Very Rich Hours of the Duke of Berry and the Hours of Étienne Chevalier are placed in their broader context. In parallel the Reading Room will present a collection of over fifty Books of Hours, in manuscript and print form, surveying the history of these previously neglected but now widely celebrated objects.

Warhol, Pollock, and other American Spaces Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid, Spain. 21st October to 25th January 

This exhibition brings together the work of these two key names of 20th-century art, shown alongside that of other artists who were reconsidering issues relating to the new spatial strategies at the same time. 

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

Art Explora

We are delighted to highlight Art Explora, a remarkable charity dedicated to making art and culture accessible to all. Art Explora run a project called Arts at Home, aiming to bring a gallery-like experience to the residents of older adult care settings whilst combatting loneliness and social isolation. The charity is currently looking for volunteers to facilitate conversations about artworks of their choosing using TV screens in the communal areas of the settings to present the works.

To find out more about this wonderful charity and their volunteering opportunities, please visit their website here.