Autumn Art Lectures History

The Autumn Art Lectures have been running, in one form or another, since 1905. This makes them older than the University of Bristol itself, which received its full royal charter and university status in 1909. Before the University of Bristol, there was University College, Bristol, which existed from 1876 to 1909.

A true survivor, the series has only been interrupted due to the First and Second World War and, more recently, in 2020 as the world locked down amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Autumn Art Lectures is a proud institution at the University of Bristol and we are delighted to share its history below.

2020-Present

2025	Television: A Very Public Art Gwyneth Hughes Sara Gibbings Tim Harcourt Michael Jenkins Beth Johnson

2024	Creation & Liberation DJ Krust MoYah Maria Fernandez Garcia Ian Solomon-Kawall (KMT) Michael Ohajuru Monique Roffey

2023	Art and the City: Bristol at 650 Professor Beth Williamson Professor Faisal Devji Cleo Lake Oshii Alison Bevan Veronica Ryan Robert Leckie

2022	Modernisms: Decolonising Art's History Professor Simon Shaw-Miller Professor Kenneth David Jackson Rasheed Araeen Jane Alison Hammad Nasar

2021	Art in the Time of COVID-19 Professor Christos Lynteris Professor Fabrizio Nevola

2020	Cancelled due to COVID-19

2015-2019

2019	Art and the Sacred Professor Karla Pollmann Gillian Clark Caroline Virgo

2018	Monsters Dr Gilda Williams Professor Ronald Hutton Dr Xavier Bray Professor Fiona Sampson Dr Alixe Bovey

2017	The Art of Revolutions Professor John Milner Clare Barlow David Olusoga Molly Crabapple

2016	Visualising Theatre Professor Adrian Heathfield Dr Rosina Buckland Dr Rosie Wyles Thomas Messel Dr Marcus Risdell Sir Anthony Sher

2015	Art and Nature Dr Lucy Donkin Professor Stephen Daniels Dr Minna Törmä Ingrid Pollard Professor Frances Spalding Richard Long

2010-2014

2014	The Artist at War Dr Daniel Grimley Sarah LeFanu Dr Dorothy Price Professor Paul Gough Sir Christopher Frayling Andrew Kelly

2013	Art and Travel Susan Stronge David Constantine Dr Ashley Thorpe Professor Howard Morphy Professor Laura Mulvey Professor Reina Lewis

2012	Art of the Book Professor David McKitterick Denise Mina Tim Dee Professor Phil Baines Dr Jan Marsh Sarah Bodman

2011	Art and Sport Professor Michael Hatt Professor Donna Landry Dr Jo Longhurst Dr Philip Dine Professor Paul Wells Professor Lynda Nead

2010	Colour David Batchelor Professor Paul Smith Professor Simon Shaw-Miller Professor Hilary Dalke Dr Jenny Balfour-Paul Professor Duncan Petrie

2005-2009

2009	Feasts and Festivities Dr Joshua Pollard Professor Brian Sparkes Professor Jessica Rawson Professor Ronald Hutton Dr Marie-Claude Canova-Green Professor Ian Christie

2008	The Creative Brain Colin Blakemore Daria Martin Jonathan Miller Richard Gregory Robert Winston John Harle Semir Zeki Antonia Byatt Lizzie Burns Karen Ingham Mark Lythgoe Richard Wentworth Paul Nurse Jason Brooks David Puttnam Dylan Evans

2007	Genealogy of the Museum Alexander Sturgis Lisa Jardine Charles Saumarez Smith Jas Elsner Craig Clunas Sandy Nairne

2006	Designing a New World: Art and Industry Chris Macleod Mary Greensted Greg Votolato John Hewitt Cheryl Buckley Christopher Breward

2005	Arts of the African Continent - Centennial Series John Picton Osi Audu Paul Oliver Charles Gore Chris Spring Magdalene Odundo

2000-2004

2004	Art and Film Robert McNab Ian Christie David A. Bailey Richard Gray George Brandt Martin Brady

2003	Twentieth-Century Developments in Bristol George Ferguson Mike Jenner Peter Meacock Mark Pearson David Mellor and Richard Lee Robert Adam

2002	Power, Piety and Politics John Goodall Catherine Reynolds Phillip Lindley Jenny Stratford Philip Morgan Scot McKendrick

2001	Prehistoric Art David Lewis-Williams Christopher Chippindale Thomas Dowson Camilla Power Lawrence Barham Roger Cardinal

2000	Materials of Creativity Stephen Bann Andrew Harrison Dawn Ades Janet Thumim Ann Elliot Martin Lister

1995-1999

1999	Picturing the Past Norman Vance Sam Smiles Elizabeth Prettejohn Mark Bills Genevieve Liveley Michael Liversidge

1998	Impressionism Re-viewed Steven Adams Charles Harrison Michael Podro Richard Hobbs Nina Lubbren Paul Smith

1997	Art Collectors and Collections Giles Waterfield Clare Robertson Stephen Bann Robert Wenley Francis Greenacre Elizabeth Prettejohn

1996	Japan and her Neighbours Gina Barnes Roger Goepper Ellis Tinios Timon Screech Oliver Impey Toshio Watanabe

1995	English Watercolour Painting - “A National Art Andrew Wilton Michael Rosenthal David Brown Michael Clarke Francis Greenacre Michael Pidgley

1990-1994

1994	Poussin: his Age and his Influence Robert Knecht Richard Verdi Neil MacGregor Hugh Brigstocke Michael Liversidge Edward Lilley

1993	The Great Experiment in Russian Art Anthony Parton John Milner Christina Lodder Brandon Taylor Ted Braun David Elliot

1992	The Mirror of Harmony: Relationships between Art and Music Philip Steadman Wyndham Thomas Christopher Brown Patrick Carnegy Richard Leppert Robert Skelton

1991	Art and Architecture of the Hellenistic and Roman World John Onians Roger Ling Martin Henig James Coulton Michael Vickers John Betts

1990	Fortunate Fields’: Landscaping and Gardens in Eighteenth-Century England Christopher Thacker John Harris John Harvey George Clarke Patrick Conner Michael Liversidge

1985-1989

1989	The French Revolution and the Fine Arts William Doyle Cecil Gould Edward Lilley Neil McWilliam Lionel Lambourne Antoine Schnapper

1988	Women and Painting in England, 1850-1988 Marcia Pointon Lynda Nead Katie Flint Alison Yarrington Griselda Pollock

1987	The Arts of Ottoman Turkey Barbara Brend Godfrey Goodwin Jennifer Wearden Joan Allgrove McDowell Michael Rogers Julian Raby

1986	Aesthetes and Artworkers Elizabeth Aslin Hilary Taylor Gillian Naylor Barbara Morris Robert Macleod Benedict Read

1985	Art and the Theatre Glynne Wickham Roy Strong M. J. O’Regan Geoffrey Ashton P. T. Van Der Merwe Graham Barlow

1980-1984

1984	The Age of Henry VIII Susan Foister John Rowlands Philippa Glanville John Murdoch Peter Cannon-Brookes

1983	The High Renaissance in Rome P. Murray R. Schofield J. Onians M. Hirst D. S. Chambers P. Joannides

1982	Seventeenth Century Dutch Painting J. L. Price Christopher Wright J. M. Nash Christopher Brown Christopher White

1981	Expression David Kinmont Norbert Lynton Keith Hartley Peter Vergo Dennis Sharp Tim Benton

1980	Charles I as Patron M. J. H. Liversidge John Harris Glynne Wickham Christopher White Roy Strong Michael Vickers

1975-1979

1979	Influence and Inspiration: England and French Art 1700-1900 John Ingamells M. J. H. Liversidge M. Rosenthal E. D. Lilley Dennis Farr Oliver Impey

1978	Chinese Art Peter Hardie John Ayers Arthur Cooper Margaret Medley Roderick Whitfield Mary Tregear

1977	North and South in 15th Century Painting Francis Ames-Lewis Mary Rogers Janet Backhouse Jennifer Fletcher Martin Kemp John Metford

1976	The Baroque Paradox Anthony Blunt P. G. Brown M. J. H. Liversidge Peter Cannon-Brookes T. H. B. Burrough

1975	Innovators in 20th Century Art Jonathan Robertson P. Vergo J.E. Jones

1970-1974

1974	Art of Ancient Near East and Greece J. G. MacQueen R. Higgins C. A. Burney J. Boardman D. B. Stronach J. M. Cook

1973	Artists at Work - the Creative Process Povl Ahm Brian Kneale Lindsay Robertson Patrick Reyntiens Patrick Heron William Howell

1972	The Aesthetic Movement Elizabeth M. Aslin Sir John Summerson A. R. Dufty Barbara J. Morris L. C. Evetts Arnold Wilson

1971	Historic English Houses and their Contents George Trevelyan G. S. Thomas M. J. Gibbon H. Le Fleming Burrow Karen Finch J. Workman

1970	Spanish Painting M. Q. Smith E. K. Waterhouse Enriqueta Frankfort P. Cannon-Brookes J. C. J. Metford

1965-1969

1969	The City and Architecture P. Hall G. Shankland L. Ginsberg R. Banham E. Roth C. Price

1968	Romanesque Art N. B. L. Pevsner M. Q. Smith P. E. Lasko C. R. Dodwell F. Wormald

1967	Artist and Patron Kenneth Garlick D. J. Gordon Ivor Keys Ian McCallum Andrew H. R. Martin-Dale Nicholas Taylor

1966	The Great Venetian Painters of the Sixteenth Century Cecil H. M. Gould John R. Steer Andrew H. R. Martin-Dale Richard E. W. James

1965	Poussin and the French Classical Tradition Anthony Blunt Michael Kitson W. Mc C. Stewart

1960-1964

1964	Byzantine Art and Architecture and Decoration John Beckwith A. A. M. Bryer M. Q. Smith D. Talbot Rice

1963	Aspects of the Baroque in the European Art N. B. L. Pevsner Ellis K. Waterhouse T. H. B. Burrough F.G. Grossmann J. Byam Shaw

1962	Masters and Drawing from Leonardo da Vinci to Picasso J. R. Steer F. G. Grossmann A. M. Jaffé C. J. White R. A. Davey A. Bowness

1961	Greek Sculpture: Its Creative Phases and Personalities J. M. Cook John Boardman D. E. L. Haynes W. H. Plommer A. W. Lawrence Roger P. Hinks

1960	Title and subject TBC

1955-1959

1959	Forces in Modern Art N. B. L. Pevsner H. K. Röthel L. D. Ettlinger Sir Anthony Blunt Alan Bowness William Townsend Forces in the Modern Art - Series II, Modern Forces in Design N. B. L. Pevsner Norbert Lynton Sir Gordon Russell Paul Reilly J. Beresford-Evans W. A. Allen

1958	Chinese Art throughout the Centuries William Willetts Basil Gray William Watson Peter Swann Hans Schubart

1957	Colour in Mediaeval Art T.S.R. Boase C.R. Dodwell Geoffrey Webb Alec Clifton-Taylor Donald King

1956	Italy and the Art of the High Renaissance John White

1955	Early Italian Art John White

1950-1954

1954	The Byzantine Art and its influence on Europe Steven Runciman Cecil Stewart H. Buchthal Talbot Rice

1953	The Art of Illustration in the British Isles from the Middle Ages to the Present Day W. Oakeshott James Laver J. Woodward Geoffrey Heynes Philip James

1952	The Art of Leonardo da Vinci Cecil Gould Nikolaus Pevsner E.H.J. Gombrich Sir Kenneth Clark L.D. Ettlinger

1951	The Art of Albrecht Dürer Hannah Closs Nikolaus Pevsner J. Byam Shaw L.D. Ettlinger Charles Mitchell

1950	The Triumph of Landscape Painting H. Gerson Francis Watson John Rothenstein Denys Sutton

1945-1949

1949	The Emergence of Landscape Painting Otto Paecht D.E. Milner Hans Gronau Hannah Closs Emile Cammaerts Anthony Blunt

1948	The Art of the Theatre Ashley Dukes Tyrone Guthrie Norman Marshall Robert Speaight Richard Southern Ninette de Valois

1947	Art and the Contemporary Artist Mark Heartland Thomas R. P. Bedford William Coldstream Claude Rogers William Johnstone Allan Gwynne-Jones

1946	The King’s Pictures Anthony Blunt Francis Watson Mary Woodall S.C. Kaines Smith

1945	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1940-1944

1944	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1943	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1942	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1941	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1940	Cancelled due to the Second World War.

1935-1939

1939	Art of the Theatre Cancelled due to the outbreak of the Second World War.

1938	French Art 1600-1800 Anthony Blunt

1937	The Art of the Film John Grierson Basil Wright Stuart Legg 17th Century Art in Europe Sir Eric Maclaglan Prof. W. G. Constable Ellis K. Waterhouse Anthony Blunt

1936	English Architectures in the Middle Ages Geoffrey Webb Old Master Drawings Prof. W. G. Constable

1935	Chinese Art Laurence Binyon A. Leigh Ashton Bernard Rackham

1930-1934

1934	Art and Industry Prof. W. G. Constable H. C. Marillier C. Williams-Ellis Harold H. Holden R. M. Y. Gleadowe John Johnson J. E. Barton

1933	English Painting in Modern Times Charles Johnson

1932	English Architecture and the Applied Arts Martin S. Briggs

1931	A Modern Approach to Greek Art Stanley Casson

1930	The Approach to Modern Art R. H. Wilenski

1925-1929

1929	Aspects of Italian Painting R. H. Wilenski

1928	Painting in the Middle Ages W. G. Constable

1927	Engraving, Etching and Book Illustrating Prof. A. M. Hind

1926	Art and Social Life in the 18th Century Prof. A. E. Richardson

1925

Appreciation and the Creative Spirit

Prof. Wm. Rothenstein

English Painting in the First Half of the 19th Century. The Development of Landscape

H. L. Wellington

French Painting in the First Half of the 19th Century. Classical and Romantic Schools

H. L. Wellington

The Pre-Raphaelites

H. L. Wellington

Landscape and the Growth of Realism in France

H. L. Wellington

Civic Art and the Local Spirit

Prof. Wm. Rothenstein

1920-1924

1924	Flemish and Dutch Painters Maurice W. Brockwell

1923	Spanish Art Stewart Dick

1922	Oriental Art Laurence Binyon

1921	Italian Painters of the Renaissance H. L. Wellington

1920	Modern Tendencies in Art H. L. Wellington

1915-1919

1919	Modern Art in National Life S.C. Kaines Smith

1918	Cancelled due to the First World War.

1917	Cancelled due to the First World War.

1916	Cancelled due to the First World War.

1915	Cancelled due to the First World War.

1910-1914

1914	Monastic Life and Buildings in the Middle Ages D.H.S. Grange Cancelled due to the outbreak of the First World War.

1913	Reason in Gothic Architecture D.H.S. Grange

1912	Dürer and Holbein S. Montagu Peartree

1911	Title and speaker TBC

1910	Title and speaker TBC

1905-1909

1909	Title and speaker TBC

1908	Flemish and German Art S. Montagu Peartree Please see University Calendar 1908/1909 p.124

1907	Title and speaker TBC

1906	Title and speaker TBC

1905	Title TBC Francis Bond