Greetings! Please join us for our next Art, Books & Culture group discussion

on Saturday 27th July, 11.15am (for about an hour & a half)

at The Beecroft Gallery, Southend on Sea

to discuss the artist Edouard Manet (1832-1883).

Edouard Manet is regarded as an artist who, in 19th century Paris, revolutionised art: questioning and undermining academic traditions with a controversial approach to painting that was distinctively modern and which would, in turn, open the doors to Impressionism. In the Royal Academy catalogue for their “Manet: Portraying Life” exhibition (2013), Maryanne Stevens describes Manet’s “struggle to portray modernity through [a] hard-won and constantly questioning visual language”. Today we’ll look at and discuss key paintings, especially from his early career, to explore that struggle, and we’ll meet his contemporaries – artists, writers and friends who shared his revolutionary vision.

Then, next month, on Saturday 31st August, we’ll turn to his close involvement with the emerging Impressionist generation.

There are a number of Manet’s works in UK collections [see: artuk.org] including:

Lots to talk about! Do come along if you’re able! We’ll be in the Beecroft Lecture Theatre and a £10 charge on the door also covers coffee afterwards at The Jazz Centre downstairs.

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Greetings! Join us on Friday 19th July (for about an hour)

at The Beaumont, 15 Cannon Hill, Old Southgate

to explore the paintings of Franz Marc (1880-1916), in particular the vibrant colours and sweeping rhythms he deployed to represent the other-worldly nature of the animal kingdom.

Franz Marc: The Monkey [1912; Lenbachhaus (visit gallery page)]

Astonishingly, there seems to be only one painting by Franz Marc in a UK collection, at Leicester (see artuk.org) but have a look at the Lenbachhaus Gallery online, where you’ll discover a glorious survey of Marc’s works (see here) that bring an absolute joy to the viewer! And, if you are out & about, the Expressionists exhibition at Tate Modern might be of interest, as Franz Marc was very much part of Der Blaue Reiter (The Blue Rider) art group alongside Wassily Kandinsky and Gabriele Münter.

A close-up detail from Franz Marc’s “Deer in the Woods II” [1912; Lenbachhaus; my photograph]

Brilliantly supported by Barchester Care, these ‘art appreciation’ meetings are open to residents and local community alike with a £3 door charge to cover coffee & biscuits.

Looking forward to seeing you!

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