The Nation’s Mantlepiece: A History of the National Gallery in 10 Paintings
Mon 13 Apr
|Widcombe Social Club
This lecture uses highlights from the world's finest collections of European paintings to show how our vision of the "ideal" art collection has evolved over time.
Time & Location
13 Apr 2026, 11:30 – 12:30
Widcombe Social Club, Widcombe Hill, Bath BA2 6AA, UK
About the Event
Lecturer Jon Conlin
Location Hybrid (in-person and online)
Founded by Parliament in 1824, the National Gallery houses one of the world's finest collections of European paintings, including Van Eyck's "Arnolfini Marriage", Botticelli's "Venus and Mars", Constable's "Cornfield" and Van Gogh's “Sunflowers”. This lecture uses highlights from the collection to show how our vision of the "ideal" art collection has evolved over time.
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Hybrid Format
This lecture will be delivered in a hybrid format – you can attend via Zoom from your home and in person at the Widcombe Social Club.