Fridays 19 April - 28 June (excluding 31 May) 11am-1.30pm
'Those who have not lived in the 18th century before the revolution do not know the sweetness of living' said Talleyrand. This ten week course will use the important collections of French Decorative Arts at the Wallace Collection to rediscover the lost world of living in 18th century France. The spaces people inhabited, the decoration of interiors, furniture and porcelain, and aspects of everyday life, from eating and hygiene to the Parisian Salons will be some of topics that will be studied through a combination of lectures and gallery talks. This course will be led by Christylle Phillips.
Booking essential on 020 7563 9527 or booking@wallacecollection.org
Programme
19 April
Historical background: Monarchy and the Age of the Enlightenment.
26 April
Hotels Particuliers and Maisons de Plaisance.
3 May
Furnishing the interiors I
10 May
Furnishing the interiors II
17 May
A taste for porcelain
24 May
Dining rooms, eating and drinking
7 June
Bathrooms: concepts of cleanliness and the Toilette.
14 June
The age of reading and writing.
21 June
Salons, conversations and occupations.
28 June
Collectors and collecting