Art Appreciation   

Sculptural and architectural memorials in public spaces help us reflect on our powerful collective memories. Yet, “collective memory” is subject to change, and in time, memorials once created to be permanent can be removed or destroyed. We will explore these and other dynamics affecting the creation and destruction of memorials by experiencing some of the most impactful and controversial memorials around the world, considering their original purposes, aesthetic qualities, and the challenges they pose.

 

Take a provocative journey exploring ten ancient myths that inspired countless masterpieces of Western art. Whether it’s the goddess Diana punishing mortal Actaeon for seeing her naked, the Trojan prince Paris choosing the fairest among three goddesses, or the demigod Perseus rescuing the princess Andromeda from a sea monster, the relationships among gods—and between gods and mortals—were nothing if not intense and dramatic. This lecture delves into these and more stories of scandal, heroism, and passion through the lens of more than 100 artworks drawn from private collections and over 90 museums worldwide, including the Louvre, the Prado, the Tate, and the Met.