During their May meeting, Douglas Skeggs took members and guests of The Arts Society Wokingham on a whistlestop tour of 19th century Venice.
The Venetian Republic had fallen to Austria and 19th century Venice was bankrupt, meaning it was no longer an important trading hub between the east and the west.
The ending of the Napoleonic Wars meant that travel across Europe could be resumed. The city’s reputation for decadence and promiscuity attracted many artists, poets and writers from Europe.
In 1816, Lord Bryon arrived and set up residence in a palace on the Grand Canal where he continued to live a life of debauchery. J. M. W. Turner made several trips to Venice. Whistler, John Singer Sargent and eventually several French Impressionists including Renoir and Monet were all unable to resist the romantic charm of the city and were inspired by its colour and beauty to produce many fine paintings.
Douglas also introduced his audience to the work of some lesser-known painters such as Bonington and Clarkson Stanfield. Stanfield’s painting of the ‘Ducal Palace with a Religious Procession’ is pictured.
The artist and writer, Ruskin, was an even more frequent visitor. Inspired by the city’s beauty and fragility he undertook a detailed study of the city’s history, art and particularly its architecture.
The Stones of Venice was published between 1851 and 1853, running to three volumes.
Henry James loved Venice and returned there to stay many times. The city is at the heart of his literary work and is the setting for The Aspen Papers and The Wings of a Dove.
These artists and writers created a romantic, idealised vision of Venice and this image remains to this day.
Douglas is a superb lecturer who knows his subject well. He talked for an hour without notes, keeping his audience entertained and engaged throughout.
As one member of the audience said, “An incredible lecturer, so much knowledge delivered in quickfire to keep us on our toes. Extremely interesting with the right degree of sauciness and humour. The time just whizzed by. Another real hit by The Arts Society Wokingham.”
The Arts Society Wokingham’s next lecture is on Monday, June 19, at 7.30pm at King’s Academy, Binfield, when Tyler Butterworth will reveal the pains and pleasures of a career in the theatre, drawing on his personal experiences.
Guests are always welcome but do email memsectheartssocietywham@gmail.com to register beforehand. The talk will also be live-streamed and available to watch from home on the society’s own YouTube channel.
For further details please visit the Society’s website: www.The ArtsSocietyWokingham.org.uk
Sue Bryant
