E-News Bulletin May 2026
Artwork of the Month Submissions
“Artwork of the Month” is a feature we would like to introduce onto the Society’s Instagram page and is a chance to share the artworks that resonate most with our members. If there’s an artwork that has inspired you, challenged you, or simply caught your attention, please send your suggestion to our Communications Coordinator. A short note about why it stands out to you is appreciated, but not required.
SOCIETY EVENTS
The next members’ lecture is Mars and the Muses: The Renaissance Art of Armour on Wednesday 10th June at 18:00 at the Art Workers’ Guild in London. Tobias Capwell informs his academic approach to the history of armour with decades of practical experience in armed battles and jousts, giving him a unique insight into the field. Armour was not only an expensive high-status product of developing warfare and manufacturing technology but also reflected changing fashions in clothing, contributing to chivalric culture in royal and aristocratic circles. One of our members says, “Toby’s lively lecturing style opened up for me a hitherto mysterious world: now I never see a suit of armour without stopping, guessing the date and appreciating these extraordinary works of art.” This event is free for members, but booking is required. We will also celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Society at the drinks reception following the lecture. This will end an hour later than usual, at 21.15 and finger foods will be provided as well as drinks. A limited number of spaces are also available for members’ guests – tickets can be booked in the normal way for £10.
Places are available on our upcoming study events:
Angevin and Aragonese Naples: A Crucible of Cultures a study day at Lettsom House with Drs Paula and Geoff Nuttall on Tuesday 12th May.
Forging the Baroque: histories of Neapolitan art in the long 17th century a three-day online course on Tuesday 2nd, Wednesday 3rd and Thursday 4th June 2026, 11.00-13:00 with Dr Giulia Martina Weston. Giulia is known to many of our members from her courses on Poussin and other topics. The term ‘baroque’ can be off-putting but the early modern period is a fascinating transition from the Renaissance to the Enlightenment – as we discovered on our recent Michaelina Wautier study day.
American Art and its Publics 1880-1939 a study day at Lettsom House with Dr Kathy McLaughlan on Friday 3rd July. As we do not currently have enough bookings for this event to cover its venue costs, a decision will be made by the end of May about whether it can continue to be offered as a live event. If you are interested in attending, please sign-up soon.
Barbizon and the Making of Modern Landscape a three-day online course on 6th, 7th and 8th October 14.00-16.00 with Jo Rhymer.
London Interiors – Style and Taste in Interior Design, 1660-1940 a three-day online course on 24th, 25th and 26th November 10.00-12.00 with Steven Brindle.
All the above are in-person study events (except Forging the Baroque, Barbizon and the Making of Modern Landscape and London Interiors – Style and Taste in Interior Design, 1660-1940) 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:
Visit to Canterbury Cathedral with Dr Sally Dormer on Wednesday 20th May (waiting list only).
NEW Visit to Canterbury Cathedral October 2026 with Dr Sally Dormer on Friday 2nd October. Any of our members can sign-up for this event, not only those who put their names on a waiting list.
Royal Geographical Society Visit at The Royal Geographical Society in Kensington on Thursday 7th May at 11:00-13:00.
Our tour of the RGS is still available to book by both members and non-members. Founded in 1830, the building includes the beautiful and inspiring RGS Historic Rooms associated with the planning and reporting of notable explorers and their expeditions including Darwin, Shackleton and Scott. The extensive and famous ‘Explorer Art Collection’ is outstanding, particularly its Expedition Photography.
The tour will be led by Dr Katherine Parker, the Cartographic Collections Manager. If any LAHS member has an interest in a particular expedition she will endeavour to give a focus in the tour to some artwork from that expedition.
NEW Jo Spence exhibition at the Peltz Gallery, a study tour led by Professor Patrizia Di Bello on Wednesday 17th June.
Visit to Coventry Cathedral Coventry on Friday 10th July.
NEW Cathedral Mosaics in London starting at St Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral then heading to Westminster Cathedral on 14th July 2026.
NEW Visit to Romsey Abbey led by Dr Richard Plant on Wednesday 9th September at 13:30.
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.
Date for your diary:
- 2nd November – An evening tour of Simon Gillespie Studio for the Conservation & Restoration of Fine Art
Ravenna Tour
There are a few places left on the tour to Ravenna 15th-19th June led by Cecily Hennessy and being run by James Hill Travels for our Members. If you are interested in joining the tour please contact info@jameshilltravels.com or 01869 906043.
Volunteering
We still urgently need volunteers, both for the events team and to help produce the Newsletter. Working on the Newsletter might appeal to a couple of friends who enjoy meeting up and bouncing ideas around. We’d appreciate any offers of assistance – no-one is “thrown in at the deep end” and training is provided. If you’d like to learn more, please contact our Chair, Jeanette McCauley, via the email link on the website or speak to her or one of the other Organisers in person at one of the upcoming events.
Current Exhibitions and Lectures in London
Vanbrugh: The Drama of Architecture at The Soane’s Museum. On now until 28th June.
Paulo Nimer Pjota: Encantados at South London Gallery. Opening today until 23rd August.
Henry Moore: Monumental Nature at Kew Gardens. Opening 9th May until 31st January 2027.
The Quentin Blake Centre is opening this May in Clerkenwell.
London Craft Week on from 11th – 17th May across London.
Members recommendation: London Original Print Fair at Somerset House, on from 14th to 17th May.
Members recommendation: Photo London 2026 at National Hall, Olympia on from 13th to 17th May.
With thanks to Eva Bigalke, you can access and download a listing of current and future exhibitions showing in London from now until October 2026 here.
Overseas Exhibitions
Venice Art Biennale opens on May 9th until November.
Curated under the theme “In Minor Keys,” the exhibition explores subtle, emotional, and often overlooked dimensions of human experience through diverse artworks, installations, and national pavilions spread throughout Venice.
Hammershøi. The Listening Eye at Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum, Madrid, Spain. On now until 31st May.
The first major retrospective in Spain dedicated to Danish painter Vilhelm Hammershøi, bringing together around 90 works to offer a comprehensive view of his quiet, introspective art.
Anders Zorn. Traveling the world, remembering the earth at Fundación Mapfre, Madrid, Spain. On now until 17th May.
A comprehensive retrospective of the Swedish painter, tracing his career from early watercolours and international travels to his later works rooted in his native Sweden.
If you wish to recommend other overseas exhibitions that may be of interest to fellow members please contact our Communications Coordinator.