Possibly the most admired historic English building outside London, This lecture explores these themes and the characters involved, marvelling at the genius of Vanbrugh and considering the real impact the palace has left on us.

London’s sumptuous Victorian and Edwardian department stores changed the capital – and changed its women. Join us to hear and see about a fascinating slice of social history

What in someone's handwriting is so distinctive? The same goes for painters. Join us to learn more.

The lecture covers the colourful stories of pigments and dyes. Could it be that Napoleon was killed by his green wallpaper? Join us to find out.

This lecture will explore the career of designer Marion Dorn and the wider European avant-garde movement between the wars.

The Wonderful world of glazes and colours for pottery from tea cups through to large vessels. This lecture discusses the work of William Morgan, The Martin Brothers through to Sir Edmund Elton

Following a visit to the National Gallery, Andrew Prince wondered what happened to the jewellery shown in some of the portraits. It inspired him to do some investigating. His talk traces what became of some those items worn by people such as Elizabeth I and Mary Queen of Scots

It's not all about Tutankhamun

“Antiques. I don’t understand them and they’re beyond my budget. They’re not for me.” This lecture is a persuasive introduction to buying antiques and integrating and using them in todays' homes.

The lecture looks at the contributions made by artists of African, Caribbean or Asian origin to British art since the SS Empire Windrush arrived in Tilbury from the West Indies in 1948.

Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) and Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475- 1564) are two of the most familiar figures in Italian Renaissance art, the rivalry and antipathy that existed between them remains a story without an author. This lecture throws light on these themes using select examples of their work

This talk explains the artistic process involved in making this public work of art.

Cubism can be confusing. Never truly popular, the most influential art movement of the Twentieth Century can sometimes appear difficult and strange. This in an accessible introduction to the subject.

This talk focuses on the family and influences upon Charles Darwin FitzRoy, the commander of HMS Beagle and their participation in the celebrated voyage of 1831-36 which enabled Darwin to collect vital evidence for his ground-breaking publication On the Origin of the Species.

This lecture explores how the city developed its wonderful traditions of public music from the 16th century to the present date.

Like its name, the Roaring Twenties was a loud and boisterous decade, marked by novelty, modernity and huge social, technological, and economic change. Join us to hear Jo Banham explain this exciting period of change.

In the Kingdom of the Sweets - Nigel Bates tells all about The Nutcracker

In this talk, Andrew explains how fabulously wealthy heiresses married into the British aristocracy, bringing many treasures with them. He shows how these legendary jewels have again been parted with and can now to be seen by everyone, in the world's great museums.