- DURATION 6 x 60 mins
Event Description
Interested in art history? Enjoy hearing tales of scandal, rivalry, theft, and rediscovery in the art world? Then this is the series for you! A six-week series of talks with a discussion group at the end. Put on your detective hat and shows and be prepared to investigate some shocking cases...
1) The Thefts of the Mona Lisa
How well do you know the world's most famous painting? It was stolen in 1911 and rocketed to world stardom. But there is more to the story, including the implication of Pablo Picasso in the theft, a wild goose chase tricking the Nazis and a tea cup wielding maniac attacking it. This talk will provide a deep look at the many fascinating stories behind Leonardo's Mona Lisa.
2) The World's Most Coveted Masterpiece
What is the most frequently stolen artwork in history? The Guinness Book has it wrong (with apologies to "The Take-Away Rembrandt," stolen "only" 4 times from the Dulwich Picture Gallery). The answer is Jan van Eyck's "Ghent Altarpiece," which is also arguably the most important painting ever made. This talk will look at the art and criminal history of this amazing altarpiece, which has been stolen by renegade vicars, Napoleon and in two world wars, as well as in one heist modelled on a popular novel.
3) The Treasure Hunter's Guide to Lost Art
Based on my 2018 book, The Museum of Lost Art, this talk will look at some of the most important artworks that are lost. Many were made by world famous creators, from Leonardo to Caravaggio and beyond, but most will never have seen them nor heard of them. How is art lost and what are some of the amazing tales of rediscovery? Join us to find out.
4) The Art of Forgery
Based on my 2015 book, The Art of Forgery, this talk will introduce famous forgers, their modus operandi, and five variations on the "provenance trap" that consistently fools art experts. Learn the stories of forgers including Brits John Myatt, Shaun Greenhalgh and Eric Hebborn, as well as the infamous Han van Meegeren and more.
5) The Complete(ish) History of Sculpture in 60 Minutes
One of my most popular talks is an adrenaline-fueled speed race through the history of sculpture, fitting in the most important movements, styles and examples...and all in one hour, with the clock counting down and the heart racing. This is as close to sport as art history gets!
6) The Devil in the Gallery: How Scandal, Shock and Rivalry Shaped the Art World
Based on my newest book, this talk will look at how three traditionally negative things--scandal, shock and rivalry--have actually benefited the development of art and the artists involved in them. From Caravaggio to Ulay, from Picasso to Michelangelo, let us illuminate the dark shadows of the art world.
7) Discussion Group
Details tbc
- Duration: 6 x 60 mins
- Online Zoom event: Join from your computer, phone or tablet (no replay available)
Meet the Host, Dr Noah Charney
Dr Noah Charney is a professor of art history and internationally best-selling author of more than 15 books, including a Pulitzer finalist. He writes often for The Guardian and other prominent media, and presents on television and radio, including for the BBC. His latest books include The Devil in the Gallery: How Scandal, Shock and Rivalry Shaped the Art World and Making It: The Artist's Survival Guide. He is renowned for his dynamic talks (even via Zoom) and has spoken at the National Gallery and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, among countless other venues.
Preparing for the Event
For the best experience, you will need to have Zoom downloaded onto your computer. Please ensure you're connected to broadband/wifi rather than using your mobile phone connection (3G/4G).
We also recommend that pets are either calmly sitting on your lap or in another room, and any refreshments you may require are within your reach!
If you want to read further, Dr Noah Charney's books are available for purchase by clicking these links:
More Information
What if I can’t make the event?
If a recording’s available for the event, you can still register for it and we will send you an email with a link to a recording shortly after it ends.
Will my camera be on and will I be visible to the other people?
Your camera and microphone does not need to be on for you to enjoy the event. The choice about whether to do this is completely yours.
How do I watch the live event?
Rest Less events are hosted on Zoom, a computer application that allows you to attend online events just by clicking a link. For detailed instructions, please go to our "FAQ" page, which you can find a link to in the nav bar at the top of the page.
How do I sign-up for and access the recording? (Recorded events only)
Book the event as normal (as if you are attending live). After the event ends you will automatically receive a post-event email with a link to the recording, as long as the event was recorded. You do not need to do anything else and there is no separate booking process for recordings only. Please note it can take up to 24 hours for Zoom to process recordings.