Johannes Vermeer, The Art of Painting, 1662-65. Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna.
Leonardo da Vinci famously compared the comfortable studio of the painter with the dirty, noisy workshop of the sculptor; his ideal painter wears fine clothes, and works with effortless ease using fine brushes.
In this talk art historian James Hall explores the cultural background to Leonardo’s comparison, showing how the Renaissance idea of the studio was influenced by scholars’ studies. It is epitomised by Vermeer’s The Art of Painting. But Leonardo's ideal has limitations, prioritising small over large works of art, thereby ‘feminising’ art. An antidote to this tradition, epitomised by Michelangelo, sees art as manly Herculean labour. The artist and his studio are inhospitable, austere and often dirty. This ideal would culminate in the modern garret and factory studios.
The Artist’s Studio by James Hall is published (10 October, 2022) by Thames & Hudson. Ticket holders will receive a code to use online for 30% off the retail price via their website.
Proceeds from our ticket sales benefit museums, galleries and other arts-based organisations and projects.
This is an online event hosted on Zoom which can be watched live, or on-demand for three weeks afterwards. You will receive your link to access the event in your email confirmation and the on-demand link after the event ends.