William Sterling

This was a one day course originally run at the Queen’s House and National Maritime Museum in Greenwich on 22 July 2017.

1. What is the course about?

Ever since the Renaissance artists in Western Europe had been discovering the beauty and majesty of statues and other works of art from the worlds of Ancient Greece and Rome.  In the late 17^th century this meant kings and military figures would often be portrayed in Roman military costume or as Mars the god of war.  In the 18^th century artists and all young noblemen went on the Grand Tour and came across the works from the Ancient World for themselves.  Artists such as Joshua Reynolds introduced the Classical style and would pose their sitters in such a way as it would remind their cultured audiences of some of the works they had seen on the tour.  The myths from Greece and Rome also became popular so that the gods and heroes were used as symbols for their attributes.

2. What topics will we cover?

Session 1 – Kings seen as Roman Soldiers – the depiction of Mars/Ares in Greece and Rome (including Augustus shown as such) and how these images were revived and altered in the Renaissance and later.  From Louis XIV Charles II brought the idea of the king in Roman military outfit to Britain and this was followed by his brother and successors up to George II.

Session 2 – Portraits with Poses based on Classical Statues – the development of the Grand Tour and the statues seen by the tourists and those brought back to Britain and their influence on Reynolds and others.

Session 3 – Heroes used as symbols – the popularity of legends such as the Labours of Hercules and Jason and the Golden Fleece and show how they were used symbolically in the C18th.

Session 4 – Visit to the British Museum to see some of the Classical originals

Please note this outline may vary on the day.