Women and patronage: an overlooked art history
Weekend-long art history and theory course
29 February 2020 10am - 5pm1 March 2020 10am - 5pm
Wolfson British Academy Room, Burlington Gardens, Royal Academy of Arts
£420. Includes all materials, light refreshments and a wine reception at the end of day one.
Terms and conditions
This weekend course will look at the significant contribution of women patrons in the arts, highlighting their enormous, oft-overlooked, impact in shaping our approach and appreciation of art.
The term "patronage" stems from the Latin root for father, and frequently our history of what defines patronage has been cast in this gendered way. Despite this, however, the influence women have had on establishing and nurturing great collections of art is irrefutable. Between Catherine de’ Medici, Anne of Denmark, Peggy Guggenheim and Helen Clay Frick alone, the evidence of women’s patronage is all around us.
Over this weekend-long course, participants will learn from leading academics about how women have acted as patrons throughout history, looking at not only their role but how our writing of history itself has downplayed their achievements. The course will reflect on the unique ways in which different women have given patronage, including questions of taste and the circumstances that informed their approach.
Each lecture is designed to facilitate discussion with participants, reflecting on the open-ended nature of the subject and its ongoing relevance to how we navigate the art world today.
Minimum age 18. If you have any accessibility needs, please contact academicprogrammes@royalacademy.org.uk.
Dr Reiss is a specialist in Italian Renaissance art and architecture with particular interest in the history of patronage. She has published widely on Italian art and art patronage, focusing particularly on the patronage of members of the Medici family. She is the co-editor of Beyond Isabella: Secular Women Patrons of Art in Renaissance Italy.
Lady Myners is Chair of the RA Trust. Alison set up a hardship fund to support students struggling to live and study in London, Chaired the Summer Exhibition opening for 4 years and Chaired the board of Trustees for the ICA from 2010 to 2016. In 2005, she set up and Chaired the Corporate Development Board for Women’s Aid.
Amy Lim holds an AHRC Collaborative Doctoral Award at the University of Oxford and Tate, where she is researching aristocratic art patronage and the influence of the late Stuart court. Her research is supporting the ‘British Baroque’ exhibition at Tate Britain, 4 February-19 April 2020.
Adriana Turpin is a furniture specialist and the Chairman of the Society for the History of Collecting. She was the Academic Director of two MA programmes on the History and Business of Art and Collecting, run by the Institut d’Études Supèrieures des Arts in Paris
Jacky Klein is an art historian, publisher and broadcaster specialising in 20th-century and contemporary art. She has presented and contributed to a range of radio and television programmes for the BBC, Bloomberg TV, Tate and the Art Fund. Her books include Grayson Perry and What is Contemporary Art? A Children's Guide.
International Women's Day 2020: women with influence
Join us for a week-long programme featuring panel discussions and a film screening, as well as workshops and courses. From patrons to historians, we celebrate the influential women working to support art and artists.
Our courses and classes programme
Our varied programme of short courses and classes provides an opportunity to explore subjects ranging from life drawing to the history of exhibitions and arts management, led by expert tutors and practising artists. These courses introduce traditional art-making processes, as well as perspectives on art history, theory and business.
Give this course as a gift
All of our courses can be purchased as a gift for a friend or family member – giving the gift of education and a remarkable experience. To arrange a personalised Gift Voucher, please contact the Academic Programmes Team, by calling 020 7300 5641 or email academicprogrammes@royalacademy.org.uk