Courtly Magnificence - Gender, Dynasty & Politics

From the Royal Courts of the Middle Ages to today, this seminar will look at how some of the world's greatest art collections were formed. From the Royal Courts of the Middle Ages to the 20th Century, this seminar will look at how some of the world's greatest art collections were formed. It will explore how political intrigue and power were involved in their accumulation, and how the personalities of these Royal collectors - women as much as men - were reflected in their collections. The subjects to be discussed will include: Catherine The Great, Marie Theresa of Austria, Frederick the Great, Queen Hedwig Eleonora, Madame de Pompadour, Courtly Maiolica, Imperial City Collections, The Thorne Miniature Rooms, Lady Charlotte Schreiber and our Royal Family’s Collections to name but a few.