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Thursday, 15 October 2026
Joaquin Sorolla:Painter of Light
Jacqueline Cockburn

In this lecture we focus on one of the most extraordinary Spanish artists from Valencia; Joaquin Sorollahas become better known more recently. He lived from 1863 to 1923 and created a world full of light and colour which delights the senses. Sometimes a social painter he was more concerned with capturing light falling on bodies and sea-scapes and his wonderful technique will be considered in this colourful lecture. His final Visions of Spain now in New York will also be show

Illustrated : Horse Bathing 1909


Jacqueline Cockburn is Managing Director of Art and Culture Travel, running residential courses in Andalucia, Southern Spain in the art and culture of the region as well as curated tours to Madrid, Tangiers, Barcelona, Paris and Venice. Jacqueline is a course director and lecturer at the V&A and also lectures at The Royal Academy. She has toured New Zealand and Australia for The Arts Society. Her specialist field is Spanish Art, but she also lectures on European Art 1790-1950. She is currently working on a Monograph on Goya (Prestel, Spring 2024).


Thursday, 19 November 2026
The Creation of the BBC
Nick Salmond

In this lecture, we look back at the creation of the BBC.  We investigate the invention and use of radio at the start of the 20th century and explore how the medium was first used as a form of mass communication. We look at the early days of the BBC, and some of the people who were vital to the success of the new company. We explore its relationship with the Government and the worries about the power of this radical new form of communication. 


Nick Salmond is a London Blue Badge Guide and a lecturer in History and the Arts. He qualified as a London Blue Badge Guide in 2019, winning the award as Guide of the Year. In 2021 he gave the annual Katrine Prince Lecture to members of the Institute of Tourist Guiding. Before guiding he joined the BBC where he worked for over 30 years in both television and radio. He helped cover some of the great events of History from the fall of the Berlin Wall to the terrible events of 9/11, from the fall of the Thatcher Government to the celebrations of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.


Thursday, 10 December 2026
The Golden Age of British Comedy
Tyler Butterworth

It’s said in our theatrical history that there was a Golden Age of British Comedy. It ran from the 1970’s to the 1980’s and occurred as we started to drift away from theatres and radios, and found ourselves living through a wonderfully rich period of television comedy. Some say this period has never been bettered.

In this unashamedly affectionate and entertaining lecture, and sharing my personal, family connection with this world, I will go back and revisit those wonderful comedy programmes and the people who were in them. 

I will unravel the formula for tv comedy success, and how it made us laugh like we did.

And I’ll look at how the world of Variety was kept alive by the comedians and the double acts who managed to leap successfully from the stage into our televisions. 

This is a lecture that will bring back many fond memories as we revisit a key part of our country’s theatrical heritage.           

illustrated :   Dad's Army


Tyler Butterworth grew up in a theatrical family and spent twenty-five years as an actor working extensively in film, television, theatre and radio. He then worked as a development producer in television documentaries. Now he produces walking audio guides to cities across Europe for private clients. He lives in Sussex where he walks on the South Downs and the South Coast.


Thursday, 21 January 2027
The Valois Dukes of Burgundy - Dazzling and Dastardly
Carole Petipher

TBA


Thursday, 18 February 2027
The Legendary Lee Miller
Antony Penrose

TBA


Thursday, 18 March 2027
The Forbidden City: The Secrets of China’s Imperial Palace and Museum
Anne Haworth

TBA


Thursday, 15 April 2027
Dame Laura Knight
Rosalind Whyte

TBA


Thursday, 20 May 2027
From Manderley to Brideshead: The Secret Lives of Fictional Houses
Annalie Talent

TBA


Thursday, 17 June 2027
Fascinating World of Colour and how we see it
John Ericson

TBA


Thursday, 16 September 2027
Thomas Gainsborough A Life “ surprising resemblance and perfection”
Matthew Morgan

TBA


Thursday, 21 October 2027
2027 - Thirty Years on from The Royal Academy’s ‘Sensation’ Exhibition
Pamela Campbell-Johnston

TBA


Thursday, 18 November 2027
Designing the Future: How the Bauhaus changed the World we live in
Joshua White

TBA


Thursday, 09 December 2027
Glory to the New Born King: Depictions of the Nativity in European Art
James Lindow

TBA

Click here for previous lectures

15 October 2026Joaquin Sorolla:Painter of Light
19 November 2026The Creation of the BBC
10 December 2026The Golden Age of British Comedy
21 January 2027The Valois Dukes of Burgundy - Dazzling and Dastardly
18 February 2027The Legendary Lee Miller
18 March 2027The Forbidden City: The Secrets of China’s Imperial Palace and Museum
15 April 2027Dame Laura Knight
20 May 2027From Manderley to Brideshead: The Secret Lives of Fictional Houses
17 June 2027Fascinating World of Colour and how we see it
16 September 2027Thomas Gainsborough A Life “ surprising resemblance and perfection”
21 October 20272027 - Thirty Years on from The Royal Academy’s ‘Sensation’ Exhibition
18 November 2027Designing the Future: How the Bauhaus changed the World we live in
09 December 2027Glory to the New Born King: Depictions of the Nativity in European Art

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Lecture: Joaquin Sorolla:Painter of Light Lecturer: Jacqueline Cockburn Thursday 15 October 2026

In this lecture we focus on one of the most extraordinary Spanish artists from Valencia; Joaquin Sorollahas become better known more recently. He lived from 1863 to 1923 and created a world full of light and colour which delights the senses. Sometimes a social painter he was more concerned with capturing light falling on bodies and sea-scapes and his wonderful technique will be considered in this colourful lecture. His final Visions of Spain now in New York will also be show

Illustrated : Horse Bathing 1909


Jacqueline Cockburn is Managing Director of Art and Culture Travel, running residential courses in Andalucia, Southern Spain in the art and culture of the region as well as curated tours to Madrid, Tangiers, Barcelona, Paris and Venice. Jacqueline is a course director and lecturer at the V&A and also lectures at The Royal Academy. She has toured New Zealand and Australia for The Arts Society. Her specialist field is Spanish Art, but she also lectures on European Art 1790-1950. She is currently working on a Monograph on Goya (Prestel, Spring 2024).