Virtual Art History Webinars
Virtual Art History Webinars
Join us virtually for a variety of art history webinars! Sign up for some or for all!
Sponsored by the Tewksbury Friends of the Library, Corning Community Impact & Investment and a collaboration of libraries.
NOTE: These programs will be recorded. All registrants will receive the recording via email within 48 hours of each program.
Paris 1874 — Inventing Impressionism
Thursday, July 18, 2024 – 10:30-11:30 AM
Edgar Degas
On 15 April 1874, in Paris, an exhibition opened that would launch one of the most famous artistic movements in the world: impressionism. For the first time, Monet, Renoir, Degas, Morisot, Pissarro, Cezanne and Sisley came together independently to exhibit their work: light-filled, colorful paintings, convoying fleeting impressions with a brisk and lively touch. In doing so, these artists distanced themselves from the official Salon, the major official exhibition that dominated the Paris artistic life, and the guardian of academic tradition. What happened over the course of those few week? Through a selection of works shown at the exhibition of these independent artists and at the official salon, Musée d’Orsay proposed a revival of it for its 150th anniversary. Examine the exhibitions of both 1874 and 2024 with Patrick Herpe, a French tour guide ZOOMing live from Europe.
The Quiet & Colorful World Of Vermeer
Thursday, August 1, 2024 – 10:30-11:30 AM
Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer, who created the iconic painting “The Girl with the Pearl Earring,” is considered a world renowned Dutch Master of the 17th century. That painting is one of only 37 works of his that scholars believe survive today. For the first time ever, 28 of those 37 were exhibited in 2023 at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. In this lecture, study his quiet, luminous interiors that seem to capture the daily life of ordinary people in his hometown of Delft. Learn the latest insights into this beloved but enigmatic artist. Led by art historian Mary Woodward, a guide at several Historic New England properties. She previously served as Public Programs Coordinator and Educator at the Concord Museum.
Summer Adventures — Art Colonies In New England
Thursday, August 15, 2024 – 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Explore eight late-19th and early-20th century summer art colonies across New England: Provincetown and Cape Ann in Massachusetts; North Conway and Cornish in New Hampshire; Old Lyme and Cos Cob in Connecticut; and Ogunquit and Monhegan Island in Maine. During the summer and fall months, you’ll be able to visit these sites and their museums. Discover the incredible, creative energy that still exists in these art colonies in New England. Led by Martha Chiarchiaro, owner of Seeing History, who has brought history to life through the art of the times for more than 30 years. She received her Masters’ degree in the History of Art from Williams College and provides a variety of art history presentations at the Worcester Art Museum, the Worcester Institute for Senior Education (WISE), libraries, senior centers, and garden clubs.
Henri Matisse — Master of Color, Magician of Modernism
Thursday, August 29, 2024 – 10:30-11:30 AM
The remarkable career of Henri Matisse, one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, fundamentally altered the course of modern art. Spanning six and a half decades, his vast creative output encompassed painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic arts, and paper cutouts. Examine his extraordinary life and many of his important works. His friend and sometime rival Pablo Picasso once said, “All things considered, there is only Matisse.” Led by Janet Mandel, a retired 32-year art history teacher, who now presents illustrated talks on a variety of art history topics at colleges & universities, libraries, museums, senior centers, and community centers.