The 17th century saw art move beyond the classical revivalism of the Renaissance to develop a dramatic, sensuous, confident style – the style history knows as the Baroque. Its development centred on a resurgent Rome. Within Italy its finest practitioners were the Caracci, Caravaggio and Bernini, while across Europe its influence spread to Rubens in Flanders and Velazquez in Spain.

The spirit of the Baroque, which so engaged the emotions of its audience, was expressed in music, sculpture and architecture as well as painting – all forms that would eventually be combined in the grand vision of Louis XIV’s Versailles. In common parlance the term “baroque” is often used to mean florid, but in art it means so much more – the dominant school of art during the rise of the modern nation state.

In 2008 the 33 lectures of Decoding the Baroque 1 will focus on Italy and Spain in the early period, up to the late 17th century. Part 2, in 2009, will trace developments across Europe up to the time Rococo emerged. With communicative, specialised lecturers, many of them familiar from Decoding the Renaissance, the new course is central to understanding the history of European art.

Art appreciation lectures at the Gallery are enormously popular, so book early to ensure your place. You can take advantage of significant savings by taking the full course, which enables you to gain the prestigious Gallery diploma in art appreciation if you so wish.

To make the lectures more accessible you can choose between Wednesday evenings and Thursday lunchtimes. Please be sure to make your selection carefully, since tickets are not transferable between the two timeslots.

Decoding the Baroque l is proudly sponsored by

View lecture listing & book online

Bookings & enquiries: (02) 9225 1878